mensch • men(t)SH/
Noun: 1. a person of integrity and honor. 2. The kind of person you want your kid to be.
Mensch Academy is inspired, down-to-earth Judaism for kids and families. At Mensch Academy, kids build character, confidence, and curiosity through text-based Jewish learning, and students are empowered to ask big questions. Our low student to teacher to ratio and trained staff supports students developing their own Jewish identity. Respecting each person’s mind and spirit and grounded in four core values, Mensch Academy is a space where kids feel loved enough and safe enough to take risks and experiment with Jewish tradition, making it their own and becoming the best versions of themselves.
Mensch Academy is a Jewish educational program for ages 3 – 11 (preschool through grade 5.
Registration for the 2023-2024 school is now at capacity. If you are interested in hearing about Mensch Academy registration for next school year, 2024-2025, please complete this interest form and we’ll be in touch!
PROGRAMS BY AGE
Preschool Family Cohort (3 – 4 year olds):
Adults will have the opportunity to learn alongside their children, and also get to cultivate their own Jewish ideas with other parents.
- One Sunday morning per month 10:00 am – noon (pre-k cohort with parents).
K – 1st Grade:
This drop-off program meets weekly on two different days. Families can choose from one session for the year.
- Mondays from 4:15 – 6 pm
- Tuesdays from 4 – 6 pm
2nd – 3rd Grade:
This drop-off program meets weekly on three different days. Families can choose from one session for the year.
- Mondays from 4:15 – 6 pm
- Tuesdays from 4 – 6 pm
- Wednesdays from 4 – 6 pm
4th – 5th Grade:
This drop-off program meets weekly on three different days. Families can choose from one session for the year.
- Mondays from 4:15 – 6 pm
- Tuesdays from 4 – 6 pm
- Wednesdays from 4 – 6 pm
NEW! Hebrew Exploration for 4th-5th grade:
- Wednesdays from 4 – 6 pm: Students will explore texts through the use of Hebrew skills, such as identifying letters and root words with focus on skill acquisition. Student interest will inform but not guide the learning. This class is in its pilot year and will be a combined class of 4th – 5th grade students.
Adults:
Mensch Academy’s school year is made up of 5 Learning Themes. In each Learning Theme students explore closely-translated primary source Jewish texts and build out their own Jewish ideas and interpretations. Caregivers, parents, and the wider Mishkan Chicago community are invited to our Showcases where students have the opportunity to share with us what they’ve learned.
Tuition
| Grade | Standard Cost of Tuition | Actual Cost to educate | Family Level Buildership* |
| Pre-K Family Cohort | $700 | $1,215 | $2029 |
| K – 1st | $1250 | $3,000 | $2029 |
| 2nd-5th (including Hebrew track) | $1450 | $2,000 | $2029 |
Sliding Scale Tuition
We understand that the full price of Mensch Academy tuition may be a barrier for some, and we want to make it possible for families to select the tuition that works for their budgets in a way that prioritizes dignity and access. We are proud to offer sliding scale tuition to all Mensch Academy families. For more information on sliding scale tuition, please check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
| Grade | Standard Cost | 25% off Standard Cost | 50% off Standard Cost | Actual Cost |
| Pre-K Family Cohort | $700 | $525 | $350 | $1,215 |
| K – 1st | $1250 | $937.5 | $625 | $3,000 |
| 2nd – 3rd | $1450 | $1087.5 | $725 | $2,000 |
| 4th – 5th | $1450 | $1087.5 | $725 | $2,000 |
*Family Buildership is a requirement to attend Mensch Academy, and we encourage families to join at the Family Level if possible. We have a new Family Level Buildership rate for the 2023/24 billing cycle & academic year! Family Buildership will be $2,029. If you’re not a Builder, learn more here and sign up.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
We understand that things come up and plans change. If you need to cancel your child’s enrollment in Mensch Academy, please let us know ASAP. If you need to cancel in the first 6 weeks of the academic year, we are able to offer a prorated refund. For cancellations after the first 6 weeks of the academic year, we will do our best to fill the space with our waitlist. If we are not able to fill the spot, we ask that your family consider donating your remaining tuition. This helps us to ensure we can continue to run the high quality program with the staff that we contracted based on initial enrollment numbers. If you choose not to donate your remaining tuition, families who cancel Mensch Academy enrollment before our winter break will receive a 30% refund. From our winter break through the end of the school year we can not offer refunds for canceled enrollments.
Please be in touch with the Director of Mensch Academy, Aviva Stein, or Mishkan Chicago’s Executive Director, Rachel Cort, with any questions. Have general questions? Check out our FAQ’s or contact us!
Mensch Academy’s school calendar aligns with Jewish holidays, federal holidays, and Chicago Public Schools. For the 2023-2024 school year, Mensch Academy will begin on October 16, 2023 and run through the end of May. A detailed calendar will be shared with all enrolled families in August 2023. For questions regarding our calendar, please contact Mensch Academy Director Aviva Stein at [email protected]
Mishpachton dates are as follows:
October 8th, 2023
November 12th, 2023
December 10th, 2023
January 14 2024
February 11, 2024
March 10th, 2024
April 14th, 2024
May 19th, 2024
For the 2023-2024 school year, we will offer in-person classes at our Ravenswood office space.
We continue to prioritize the health, safety and well-being of all members of our community.In order to keep our community health and safe:
- Classes will be limited to 12 students
- Teachers and students will mask in accordance with latest CDC guidelines.
- All community members must be vaccinated in order to enroll in Mensch Academy (exception for students under 5 as of 6/2022)
- We will regularly share and update our Covid policy with the community