On a recent morning at Austin Jewish Academy, Mrs. Hidalgo’s 8th grade students took center stage for a powerful display of their critical thinking and debating skills, culminating in a series of thought-provoking debates centered around the Reconstruction era. Guided by their study of this transformative period in American history and a lesson in debating...
When Karen Hidalgo’s 8th graders started prepping for their Reconstruction Era debate, they got a crash course in persuasion from a seasoned family law attorney. With over 20 years of courtroom experience and a National Moot Court title under her belt, Hillery Kaplan shared practical tips on crafting strong arguments, presenting evidence, and winning over...
For 25 years, Mrs. Aileen Duncan has been a cherished and influential member of the Austin Jewish Academy community. She joined AJA in 2000 after nine years of teaching at the Shalom Austin Early Childhood Center, bringing with her a deep love for early education and a gift for creating warm, nurturing learning environments where...
Step into the vibrant halls of Austin Jewish Academy’s middle school, where every corner hums with energy, curiosity, and learning. Walking down the hallway today, let’s peek into their schedule and see what makes AJA such an extraordinary place to be. 8:00 AM: ArrivalThe school is bustling with energy as students arrive, backpacks slung over...
One of the things we try to foster here at AJA is a Growth Mindset in our students, as articulated by Carol S. Dweck in her book, "Mindset." But what is a Growth Mindset, and how can education encourage children to develop one?
This past year, Austin Jewish Academy 7th grader Caitlin Clairfield put her passion for science into action through her Bat Mitzvah project, Cookies for a Cause. Every Friday, Caitlin baked and delivered fresh chocolate chip cookies to her neighbors, raising funds to support AJA’s science program. Thanks to the generosity of the Steiner Ranch community,...
