Specialist Classes
Where Exploration, Creativity, and Movement Bring Learning to Life
At The Shlenker School, we are proud to offer a robust Specialists program that enriches our core academic curriculum and nurtures the whole child.
Our dedicated specialist teachers create engaging, hands-on experiences that inspire students to explore their interests, develop new skills, and connect learning to the world around them. From Art and Music to the Science Lab and Gym, students build confidence, creativity, and critical thinking through meaningful, developmentally appropriate instruction.
Art
Our light-filled Art Studio overlooks one of Shlenker’s serene green spaces—an intentional setting designed to spark creativity and imagination. Through exposure to diverse artistic movements, mediums, and techniques, students learn craftsmanship, creative problem-solving, and visual storytelling.
With a focus on both project planning and independent expression, they develop an appreciation for the power and beauty of art in shaping the world.
Early Childhood Art and Music
Our Early Childhood Art and Music program sparks creativity, curiosity, and joy. In Art, children explore colors, textures, and materials through hands-on projects that build confidence, fine motor skills, and imagination.
Music brings energy and excitement as students sing, dance, and play instruments. Through rhythm, movement, and song, they develop coordination, listening skills, and a love of making music together.
Hebrew
The Shlenker School’s Hebrew program immerses students in the language and culture of Israel, building confidence in reading, writing, and speaking. Starting in Early Childhood, children learn vocabulary and conversational Hebrew through songs, stories, and play that grow more structured over time.
Hebrew comes alive through holiday celebrations, Israeli culture, and Jewish traditions, fostering both language skills and a deep sense of pride in their Jewish identity.
Library
The Schachtel Library is a vibrant hub of learning and discovery for students, faculty, and families. Home to nearly 20,000 volumes—including a rich Judaic collection shared with Congregation Beth Israel—it fosters a lifelong love of reading and research.
Regular visits encourage students to explore literature, develop inquiry skills, and cultivate strong academic habits in a welcoming and resource-rich environment.
Music
In our dynamic Music Studio, students discover music as a powerful form of self-expression and cultural connection.
The curriculum celebrates musical diversity—from traditional Jewish melodies and contemporary Hebrew songs to American folk and modern genres—while nurturing rhythm, creativity, and a joyful sense of community.
Physical Education
Physical activity is a vital part of each Shlenker student’s day. Early Childhood students participate in motor development classes that build gross motor skills through joyful movement. Kindergarten through fifth-grade students enjoy daily PE and additional recess, promoting physical fitness, coordination, and confidence.
The program emphasizes teamwork, sportsmanship, and the development of a lifelong positive relationship with health and movement.
Science
Curiosity comes to life in our state-of-the-art Science Lab, where students engage in hands-on, inquiry-based learning. Through observation, experimentation, data collection, and critical thinking, students explore Earth Science, Life Science, Physical Science, and Scientific Reasoning.
Our science program empowers students to ask questions, test ideas, and make discoveries about the world around them—laying the foundation for a lifelong passion for science and problem-solving.
STEAM
Innovation comes to life in the dynamic Suellen and A.J. Rosmarin Spark Lab, where students combine creativity and critical thinking to solve real-world challenges. Through hands-on projects that integrate Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math, they explore how ideas take shape from concept to creation.
Our STEAM program inspires students to design, build, and experiment—cultivating collaboration, curiosity, and confidence. By learning to think like inventors and problem-solvers, students discover the joy of innovation and the power of imagination in action.
At The Shlenker School, our Specialists are more than teachers—they are mentors, innovators, and guides who help students discover their passions and unlock their full potential.