How Jewish day schools get screen time right

In today’s educational landscape, technology is both a tool and a challenge. Some schools use it fully and provide each student with a device to use throughout the day. Others take the opposite approach and ban screens to protect concentration and interpersonal skills. The mixed messages cause confusion for parents: How much technology is too much? What is the right balance?

Jewish day schools in the Seattle area and across the country appear to be leading the way in developing a balanced, sensible response. Its secret lies in integrating technology into secular studies while disregarding it for Jewish practices, values, and community. The unique dual curriculum in Jewish day school education provides students with the technical skills the future demands while ensuring the longer attention span and emotional resilience that come from screen-free experiences focused on Jewish traditions, culture and values.

The problem: Too much or too little screen time in schools

The debate over technology in schools is deeply polarizing. Proponents of 1:1 device programs argue that students must have strong digital skills to succeed in a technology-driven world. But research is increasingly showing that constant screen time can reduce attention spans, social skills, and even negatively impact mental health.

Some schools ban devices entirely. While this protects against overexposure, some parents express concern that a total ban could leave students under-prepared for a future where tech literacy is crucial. For Jewish day schools, it’s not about choosing a side – it’s about finding the right balance.

A Balanced Approach: Secular Issues and Screen-Free Traditions

Jewish day schools use technology as a tool to expertly support academic success. Teachers consciously integrate technology, making learning deeper and more engaging.

But when it comes to Jewish studies, technology takes a back seat. Torah study, discussions about Jewish values, and practical mitzvah projects don’t require screens – they thrive on personal communication and direct engagement. Mindy Swedarsky, a first-grade teacher at the Seattle Hebrew Academy on Capitol Hill in Seattle, explains, “The Torah doesn’t need an iPad. Jewish learning and mitzvot are about relationships, not clicks.”

Building Jewish Identity in a Challenging World

While Jewish day schools are praised for their balanced use of technology, their true impact goes far beyond screen time. In today’s world, where Jewish identity is increasingly being questioned, attending a Jewish day school has taken on new meaning for many families reeling from rising anti-Semitism.

With many screen-free hours built into the school day, Jewish day students are better prepared to withstand the pressures of the TikTok generation by learning to take a step back and separate entertainment from facts. This ability to think critically, coupled with their strong sense of identity, ensures that they are less influenced by external voices that deny or denigrate their Jewish heritage. Instead, they develop a proud, unwavering connection to their faith, Israel and the values ​​that guide them.

Parents and educators alike report that this approach is paying off in their children’s development as individuals and as Jewish global citizens. Students become fluent in Jewish rituals and practices, develop empathy through discussions of Jewish ethics, and build resilience by practicing acts of kindness (mitzvot) in their communities.

“Jewish day schools teach our children how to succeed academically, socially and spiritually,” says Meghan Kimpton, principal at Jewish Day School, which teaches early childhood in Bellevue, WA. “We are building a community of students who are confident, grounded and comfortable in their personalities.”

The values ​​behind the balance

At the heart of this philosophy is a broader commitment to teaching Jewish values. Jewish day schools emphasize the importance of human connection, values ​​and community by keeping screens away from sacred and cultural spaces.

This intentional approach reinforces a strong academic work ethic while giving students the tools to make thoughtful technology decisions. It is no surprise that graduates are not only academically prepared, but also emotionally resilient and socially comfortable in their identities.

Make screen time accessible in schools

For families interested in this unique approach, Jewish day schools in Seattle offer more than just a great education – they provide support to make it happen. The Samis Foundation Day School Affordability Initiative provides grants to families with annual incomes of up to $350,000, making private day school education accessible to a wide range of households.

“We initially thought that a Jewish day school wasn’t an option for us,” explains a mother of two students at the Seattle Jewish Community School in Seattle’s Green Lake neighborhood. “But the Samis scholarships opened the door and it was the best decision we made for our children and our family.”

A way into the future

Jewish day schools prove that balance is the key to raising well-rounded, future-ready children. By combining thoughtful use of technology with timeless traditions, they enforce an education that creates a new generation of proud, compassionate and resilient citizens.