The Jewish Leadership Academy

The Jewish Leadership Academy A world-class Jewish Middle and Upper School committed to educating and inspiring the leaders of tomorrow.

The Jewish Leadership Academy is a new world-class Jewish Middle and High School in the Miami area dedicated to developing the skills, curiosity, and potential of Miami’s most ambitious students for a life of purpose, commitment, and service. JLA employs a unique blend of service-based, project-based, and competency- based learning to spark the potential in each of its students to make a differenc

e in the world around them and beyond. Upon graduating, our students will be prepared to embrace the academic challenge of the country’s most demanding colleges and universities while infusing their campuses, workplaces, and homes with a unique set of values, ethics and ideals. Anchored by an indexed tuition model, admission to JLA is need-blind and driven by student character, academic motivation, and a demonstrated desire to live beyond one’s self.

Please welcome Ms. Nathalia Moreno, our new Physical Education teacher at JLA! 🏀✨With 25 years of experience in physical...
09/03/2026

Please welcome Ms. Nathalia Moreno, our new Physical Education teacher at JLA! 🏀✨
With 25 years of experience in physical education and athletic coaching, Coach Moreno brings a passion for helping students build character, teamwork, confidence, and lifelong healthy habits. Throughout her career, she has designed dynamic PE curricula across all grade levels, developed adaptive sports programs, and created initiatives supporting youth in juvenile correctional systems.

Coach Moreno earned her B.A. in Physical Education from Universidad Metropolitana in Puerto Rico and her M.A. in Olympic Education and Organization from the University of Peloponnese in Greece.

An elite multi-sport athlete and former collegiate MVP, Coach Moreno continues to compete internationally as a member of the Puerto Rico Masters 45+ National Basketball Team.

We’re excited to welcome Ms. Moreno to JLA and can’t wait to see her bring her energy, expertise, and love of athletics to our community! 💙🧡

Meet Ms. Jordana Kafka, our new Learning Specialist at JLA! 📚✨With a unique background in education, student advocacy, a...
08/27/2026

Meet Ms. Jordana Kafka, our new Learning Specialist at JLA! 📚✨

With a unique background in education, student advocacy, and law, Ms. Kafka brings a wealth of experience supporting students and families. She earned her B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania, J.D. from Washington University School of Law, M.S.Ed. in Secondary English from Northwestern University, and M.A. in Educational Leadership from Northeastern Illinois University. She is also a Licensed Behavior Specialist (LBS1).

Ms. Kafka began her career advocating for students and families in special education before moving into school leadership, where she developed student support systems and coached educators. She also founded Legally Learning, a nonprofit dedicated to K–12 legal education.

We’re excited to welcome Ms. Kafka to JLA! 💙🧡

Meet Mr. Jawann Fulton, our new Engineering teacher at JLA! 🤖🔧✨With more than 15 years of experience in information tech...
08/26/2026

Meet Mr. Jawann Fulton, our new Engineering teacher at JLA! 🤖🔧✨

With more than 15 years of experience in information technology, educational technology, and STEM education, Mr. Fulton brings a hands-on, interdisciplinary approach to engineering. He joins JLA from Miami Country Day School, where he served as an Innovation Teacher, designing project-based curricula that connect engineering, technology, math, and real-world problem solving.

Mr. Fulton’s expertise includes robotics, drone piloting, electronics, 3D printing, and laser cutting. He has also coached student STEM teams to consecutive Florida State Championship victories and trained faculty across departments to integrate emerging technologies into their classrooms.

We’re excited to welcome Mr. Fulton to JLA and can’t wait to see what our students design, build, and create with him! 💙🧡

Meet Mr. Max Quintana, our new Science Teacher and Department Coordinator at JLA! 🔬✨With more than a decade of experienc...
08/17/2026

Meet Mr. Max Quintana, our new Science Teacher and Department Coordinator at JLA! 🔬✨

With more than a decade of experience in science education and instructional leadership, Mr. Quintana brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for both academic excellence and student growth. He earned his B.A. in Biological Sciences from Florida Atlantic University and his M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Barry University. He is currently pursuing his doctorate in Curriculum Design & Instruction.

Before joining JLA, Mr. Quintana spent much of his career at Nova Southeastern University School, where he served as Science Department Chair, Teacher Mentor, and program leader. He previously taught AP Biology, Anatomy & Physiology, and Environmental Science in Miami-Dade and Broward County public schools, where he earned Teacher of the Year and coached championship-level academic teams.

A U.S. Navy veteran, Mr. Quintana brings a unique combination of discipline, service, and intellectual curiosity to JLA. He is excited to help cultivate a science program that challenges students, inspires curiosity, and prepares them to become thoughtful leaders.

Welcome to JLA, Mr. Quintana! 💙🧡

🏆 Save the date! Mini Mu is back! 🎉On Sunday, March 14, 2027, JLA will welcome students in grades 3–8 from across South ...
08/10/2026

🏆 Save the date! Mini Mu is back! 🎉

On Sunday, March 14, 2027, JLA will welcome students in grades 3–8 from across South Florida for a day of math, friendly competition, games, and fun. From individual tests to exciting mini events, Mini Mu is a chance for young mathematicians to challenge themselves, show off their skills, and celebrate their love of math.

📅 March 14, 2027
✏️ Grades 3–8
📍 Jewish Leadership Academy

Want to see what Mini Mu is all about? Head to www.jlamiami.org/minimu to check out photos from last year’s competition and meet our 2025 winners!

More details and registration coming soon!

06/12/2026

The tassels have been turned, the diplomas have been earned, and JLA's first graduating class is ready to leave their mark on the world.

Relive the unforgettable moments from Graduation 2026. 🎓💙🧡

We are thrilled to welcome David Markus as JLA's new Academic Dean!David brings over 15 years of senior leadership exper...
06/11/2026

We are thrilled to welcome David Markus as JLA's new Academic Dean!
David brings over 15 years of senior leadership experience across international, independent, and urban public school settings — most recently as Upper School Principal at Zurich International School in Switzerland. A passionate advocate for student and faculty agency, deeper learning, and values-driven leadership, David is dedicated to building school cultures where every student and educator can thrive.

Throughout his career — from Washington International School in Washington, D.C., to the classroom as a history teacher and department chair at Durham Academy — David has championed innovative curriculum, mental health and wellness programming, and meaningful community partnerships. He holds degrees from Tufts University, Harvard Kennedy School, and Trinity University, and has presented at international conferences including ECIS and NAIS.

We are so excited to have David join the JLA family and help bring our mission to life.

We are thrilled to announce that Ms. Lee Nuckolls will be joining JLA this fall as our new Director of College Counselin...
06/08/2026

We are thrilled to announce that Ms. Lee Nuckolls will be joining JLA this fall as our new Director of College Counseling!

A 23-year veteran of independent school college counseling, Ms. Nuckolls currently serves as the Senior Associate Director of College Counseling at Ransom Everglades School. Previously, she served as WashU’s Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions for 11 years, overseeing the review of roughly 20,000 applicants a year. She has also held college counseling leadership roles at top independent schools across the country, including Pace Academy in Atlanta and Fountain Valley School of Colorado.

We can't wait for you to meet her!

What a way to close out the school year. 💙Last Friday was filled with the moments that make our community so special. Th...
06/08/2026

What a way to close out the school year. 💙

Last Friday was filled with the moments that make our community so special. Through our Kindness ATM, students had the opportunity to celebrate faculty members and recognize the everyday acts of kindness that help our school thrive. At our Kindness Fair, students put values into action by creating soup jars, hygiene kits, enrichment toys for shelter animals, and heartfelt notes of appreciation for teachers and staff.

What made the day even sweeter? Yearbook distribution and a visit from the ice cream truck! 🍦

A special thank you to our Parent Volunteer Corps for showering our faculty and staff with so much love and appreciation.

As we turn the page on another incredible year, we’re reminded that kindness, gratitude, and community are at the heart of everything we do.

Wishing all of our families a wonderful summer! ☀️

05/21/2026

As the final days of school draw near, the Class of 2026 is leaving more than memories behind, they’re leaving a legacy. 💙

“מים חיים” (Mayim Chayim, “Living Waters”) now flows in our garden as a lasting symbol of the very first graduating senior class at JLA. Handcrafted by seniors Ayelet F., Moshe S., and Leon Z., each ceramic bowl tells a story of creativity, growth, and impact.

Like living waters, their influence will continue to ripple through our campus long after graduation day. 🌿⛲️

Here’s to the marks our seniors leave behind, not only in stone and clay, but in the heart of our school community.

Address

NW 95th Street
Miami, FL
33150

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 2:30pm

Telephone

+13053062660

Website

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