Frequently Asked Questions

A Levine Academy education offers more than academic preparation—it provides a transformative foundation. Our graduates are equipped to thrive in both public and private high schools thanks to a rigorous secular curriculum enriched by Judaic studies that emphasize critical thinking and ethical decision-making. Beyond academics, students develop a strong sense of identity, curiosity, and character, preparing them to lead with confidence and compassion.

Yes. Levine Academy’s mission states up front that we are a “dynamic, inclusive Jewish day school,” meaning we embrace the full spectrum of Jewish families. Our family profile is diverse, with a full balance of unaffiliated Jews, Reform, Conservative, and Modern Orthodox. Because we recognize and respect the broad spectrum of observance in our Jewish community, every type of observance is respected and acknowledged.

All students at Levine Academy must be immunized according to the Texas Department of State Health Services schedule. Medical exemptions are accepted only from licensed U.S. specialists and must be original, written, and dated within the past year (unless noted as lifelong). We do not accept Affidavits for Immunization Exemption for Reasons of Conscience. Current immunization records must be on file in the Nursing Clinic for students to attend class.

Our graduates are accepted to top private schools including Greenhill, Hockaday, St. Mark’s, ESD, Parish, Akiba Yavneh, and others. Those attending public schools often enter honors, AP, Magnet, or IB programs, where they are known to excel.

To support this transition, Levine offers an 8th Grade high school readiness program focused on interviews, resumes, and essay writing. Parents also benefit from our “Life After Levine” presentations and one-on-one guidance from school leadership to navigate the entire application and enrollment process.

Our graduates thrive in both public and private high schools, consistently earning praise from administrators for their strong preparation across all subject areas. They ask thoughtful questions, write effectively, present confidently, think creatively, and collaborate well with others. Many take on leadership roles and remain actively involved in community service and Jewish life. Socially and academically, they transition smoothly and form new friendships with ease.

Levine teachers aim high in their instructional strategy, and all teachers are trained in addressing the range of learners in their classrooms, including highly capable children.  Through flexible groupings, enriched curricular materials, differentiated teaching strategies, and learning support intervention, the Levine classroom is designed to make sure that all learners are being challenged at the appropriate level. Levine will created levelled sections in Hebrew instruction from 3^rd grade and up. Also, math sections are created in the Middle School in ways to benefit each child’s needs. Language Arts and Science have established a high challenge, honors-level curriculum to best prepare all of our students for success in high school.

While our teachers draw from multiple sources to deliver the highest caliber math program, our core curriculum from K through 6^th grade is the University of Chicago’s EM4 Math Program [Everyday Mathematics]. In 7^th and 8^th grades, our Algebra program is drawn from the Glencoe Series. The full math program focuses on higher order thinking skills, problem-solving, and critical thinking. All branches of mathematics, included in the Principles and Standards provided by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, are incorporated into the Levine math curriculum. To supplement the core texts used in the classrooms, the math experience at Levine includes several top-rated digital math curricular sources, such as TenMarks and IXL, to name just a few.

Regarding standardized testing, our Kindergarten through 4^th grade students take the MAP tests each year (Measure of Academic Progress), which provides teachers with extensive and detailed information on student strengths and gaps across a broad spectrum of mathematical and language arts skills. 5^th through 8^th graders will take the ERB exams. Levine conducted a comprehensive study recently of its ERB results, comparing Levine students with the independent school norms. Analyzing 35 subtest scores (seven subtests across five grades), Levine’s composite scores exceeded the independent school norms at both the mid and upper stanine levels on 22 of the 35 subtests, and Levine’s composite scores on the remaining 13 subtests were exactly on par with the independent school norms. Each year, Levine analyzes its scores and adjusts its curriculum, in order to take advantage of the data for instructional improvement.

Students typically learn the skills needed for their Bar/Bat Mitzvah at Levine Academy, with the exception of their Haftorah and Torah portions. Individual synagogues guide their member families and children in planning for the Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

First, families do not have to know Hebrew as the homework is a review of the material learned by students in the classroom. The homework is given as a reinforcement of class work. As with all of our faculty, our Hebrew language staff makes itself available for assistance during the school day. Also, Levine is very flexible and open to accepting students into the upper grades who do not have Hebrew language experience; the Hebrew department makes provision for acclimating new students who don’t have a background with Hebrew. Our Hebrew faculty are very understanding and accommodating.

Levine Academy parents are encouraged to be active participants in our school community through the Parents’ Association, school board, and its various committees. There are also many opportunities to volunteer in classrooms, the library, and at school-wide events and programs.

Parents may choose to pack a dairy-only (and peanut-free for Early Childhood) lunch for their child(ren), or purchase lunch through the school, which includes meat options three days a week