Austin Jewish Academy

AJA’s 6th and 7th graders took the stage for an inspiring Texas Changemakers Poetry Slam, performing original poems about influential leaders who embody courage, justice, perseverance, and service. Through powerful spoken word performances, students connected the stories of changemakers to their own lives, discovering that leadership begins with using your voice with purpose.

A special highlight of the event was a visit from Grammy Award-winning artist, Saul Paul who encouraged students throughout the slam and led the community in an energetic performance of his song "Rise." From poetry and improvisational rap to dancing the Texas Two Step together, the event became a joyful celebration of creativity, confidence, and community. We are so proud of our students for sharing their hearts, stories, and vision for making a difference in the world.

AJA’s 5th graders recently combined history, reflection, and service through their meaningful PBL experience, Matzah Ball Soup Kitchen for the Soul. Inspired by their study of the Great Depression, students explored how storytelling, perseverance, and compassion can create real change in the lives of others.

As part of the project, students wrote personal narratives focused on hope, resilience, and growth while also helping organize a student-run soup kitchen inspired by Depression-era relief efforts. Families gathered to enjoy a wide variety of homemade soups prepared by students and families, creating a beautiful evening centered on kindness, community, and care for others.

Most importantly, students saw firsthand how their voices and actions can make a difference. Thanks to the generosity of our community, the class raised $514 for to help support children facing hunger. We are so proud of our 5th graders for embracing empathy, reflection, and service with such maturity and heart.

AJA’s 3rd graders recently took families on an unforgettable journey through the universe during their *Spectacular Space Musical & Art Show*, an incredible PBL experience that blended science, music, movement, research, and art. From the moment students entered to Space Oddity wearing their handmade paper mâché planet costumes, the audience was transported into a creative and colorful solar system brought to life entirely by student imagination.

Throughout the performance, students sang space-themed songs, shared original student-created music, presented fascinating research about planets and space phenomena, and kept the audience laughing with space jokes along the way. The event also featured a stunning display of student-created space artwork that showcased the curiosity, creativity, and hard work poured into every part of the project.

This inspiring PBL experience beautifully combined scientific learning with creativity and performance, making space truly come alive for the entire community. Congratulations to Ms. Hill and our amazing 3rd graders for reaching for the stars and absolutely landing.

Our National Junior Honor Society students recently partnered with Shalom Austin Jewish Family Service (JFS) to create and decorate Shabbat boxes for hospital patients and members of the broader community. Before beginning the project, students reflected on the meaning of bracha (blessing) and how acts of kindness can become blessings in themselves. Through creativity, compassion, and service, our students brought warmth, connection, and the spirit of Shabbat to others in a truly meaningful way. We are so proud of the way they continue to live out the values of service, character, and tikkun olam.

Our sixth and seventh graders just returned from their MS end-of-year trip to the Marine Lab in Key Largo, Florida. Highlights of the trip included witnessing a pregnant seahorse give birth, spotting dolphins and sharks, and completing a micro-plastics lab to assess the number of micro-plastics in seawater. We are thrilled that our students – next year’s AJA student leaders – had the chance to bond as a group in this unique setting.

AJA’s Kindergarten students recently celebrated a beautiful milestone as they proudly received their very first Siddur during a special ceremony at Temple Beth Shalom. The celebration marked the culmination of a year spent learning about tefillah, exploring the meaning of prayer, and deepening their connection to Jewish tradition.

Throughout the year, students reflected on why Jewish people pray, shared their favorite prayers, and even imagined prayers they would add to their own Siddurim. During the ceremony, the Kindergarteners confidently led their families in prayer using their new Siddurim, showcasing not only what they had learned, but the joy and connection they have developed along the way.

A special thank you to Rabbi Hall for helping make this meaningful experience so memorable. We are so proud of our Kindergarten students for reaching this important and heartwarming milestone in their Jewish learning journey.

Want to know more about our incoming Head of School, Dr. Karyn Rayburn? Read our Q&A with her here: https://austinjewishacademy.org/qa-with-new-hos-dr-karyn-rayburn/

With more than a decade of leadership experience at Trinity Episcopal School of Austin, along with a background in both higher education and K–8 classrooms, Karyn brings a deep commitment to academic excellence, relationship-building, and vibrant school communities.

Read our Q&A with beloved former AJA science teacher, Kathleen Rosenmann, who is returning to teach next year: https://austinjewishacademy.org/qa-with-kathleen-rosenmann-on-ms-science/

We are excited to welcome back Kathleen Rosemann. She brings with her decades of experience spanning kindergarten through middle school, along with a deep passion for hands-on, project-based learning. As she steps into her role as Project Lead The Way coordinator for grades 1–8 and helps reimagine AJA’s middle school program, Kathleen is eager to cultivate a generation of thoughtful innovators, leaders, and changemakers.

Middle school students recently wrapped up their study of the circulatory and respiratory systems through a series of hands-on science labs that brought classroom concepts to life. From using synthetic blood to determine blood types and solve a mock forensic investigation to preparing for a sheep pluck dissection of the heart and lungs, students explored the real-world connections between science, medicine, and problem-solving. These engaging lab experiences challenged students to think critically, apply their knowledge, and see firsthand how science works beyond the textbook.

Fifth-grade art students recently took on an exciting collaborative challenge by creating “dissected paintings.” Working in teams, students recreated famous works of art that had been divided into ten separate sections, with each student responsible for carefully painting one individual piece. Students paid close attention to color, detail, proportion, and alignment to ensure that all of the sections fit together into one complete image.

Throughout the project, students practiced important skills such as communication, cooperation, and problem-solving. Each artist had to consider how their section connected to the larger composition while working together to maintain consistency across the artwork. The finished paintings beautifully demonstrated how teamwork and shared responsibility can result in creative and meaningful accomplishments.

The completed projects showcased not only students’ artistic abilities but also their collaboration, patience, and dedication throughout the process.