The Scandinavian School of Jersey City is a full-time nursery school with a focus on the Scandinavian model. We are inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach to Early Childhood Education, and believe in spending as much time outdoors as possible!
The Scandinavian School of Jersey City is the first full-day Scandinavian school inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach to Early Childhood Education on the East Coast, serving children from 1 to 6 years. Our 4 year olds and Kindergarteners have the option of participating in our Forest School program. In each classroom the children will be exposed to and learn a Scandinavian language, besides English. Our families are from global, multicultural, multilingual, urban and diverse communities.
The school’s two beautiful buildings, one brick, one modern construction, are located on a tree lined street, where the many windows enhance our many rich learning environments. The classrooms are large with bright open spacious areas that give a holistic feeling of a home away from home. Each classroom has a mini atelier, a reading area/meeting area, building area, light table and dramatic play area. The children engage in exploration work in our spacious homelike kitchen and we enjoy connecting with the local community.
The curriculum is inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach to Early Education and the Swedish National School Curriculum. At the Scandinavian School of Jersey City, we strive to give children ample opportunities and tools to express themselves in a hundred languages through play and exploration according to their individual interests, level, ability pace and needs. The children are encouraged to become passionate lifelong learners and authors of their own lives, while engaging with their teachers and peers in a rich and stimulating environment. In addition, we incorporate music, dance, yoga, art, cooking and outdoor exploration time into the daily curriculum of the school. At SSJC, we believe that through play and the many varied experiences we offer our children, they will develop and acquire all the necessary tools they need in order to succeed in all aspects of life, without the pressures of traditional academic teaching methods.
The school provides homemade, organic and wholesome meals, which we enjoy together as a community. In addition, the children proudly help to make our own organic almond milk and participate daily in preparing food for their teachers and friends.
At SSJC, we aim to inspire our children to deeply connect with themselves and one another, while providing them with the tools they need to be independent, democratic, wholesome and empathetic citizens of the world.
