An Orthodox student joined your class.
Here's how to make them feel welcome.
Most Orthodox students go to Jewish day schools, but a growing number attend secular public and private schools — for academic reasons, family choice, or because no Orthodox option exists locally. This page walks through the practical stuff without making either you or the student uncomfortable.
The 5 things that come up most
1. Jewish holidays — multiple absences per year
Orthodox students observe holidays requiring full-day absence: Rosh Hashanah (2 days), Yom Kippur (1 day), Sukkot (2 days + more), Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah (2 days), Passover (4 days), Shavuot (2 days). About 13 full days annually, mostly September-October and March-April.
What this means:Plan for predictable absences. These aren't optional — the student can't attend even for an important test. Schedule no major exams, field trips, or make-or-break assignments on these dates for that student.
Good practice:Ask the student or their parents for the year's specific dates at the start of the school year. Offer alternate assessment dates. Don't make the student explain themselves every time; normalize it with one early conversation.
2. Shabbat and early Friday departure
Orthodox students cannot participate in Friday-evening or Saturday school activities. In winter, they may need to leave school by 2:00 or 3:00 PM Fridays to be home before Shabbat.
What this means: No Friday-night football attendance, no Saturday field trips, no Friday late-afternoon extracurriculars that extend past sundown. For winter Fridays, early-dismissal accommodation may be needed.
3. Dress code considerations
Orthodox girls often wear skirts to the knee or longer and tops covering elbows. Orthodox boys typically wear a kippah (skull cap) at all times. This is religious practice, not fashion preference.
What this means: Most school dress codes are compatible, but gym class can be the friction point. Allowing modest gym clothing (leggings, longer shirts) is usually an easy accommodation. For swimming, it may require alternative activity or a modest swim garment (these exist — kosher swim options).
4. Food — kosher and classroom eating
Orthodox students typically bring kosher food from home. They cannot eat school cafeteria food (even the vegetarian options, because of cross-contamination and non-kosher equipment) and generally cannot eat classroom treats, birthday cupcakes, pizza parties, or candy unless they're certified kosher with a symbol the family accepts.
What this means:At class celebrations, include a kosher-certified option discreetly. The student shouldn't have to watch everyone else eat pizza while they have a granola bar from home. Ask the family what symbols they accept (OU, OK, Star-K, kof-K, etc.).
Good practice: If you celebrate with food regularly, ask parents to recommend a kosher bakery for occasional classroom orders. Cost difference: minimal to moderate.
5. Prayer time during the school day
Orthodox Jews pray three times daily. For school-age students, this typically means morning prayer before school (at home) and afternoon/evening prayer during the school day (10-15 minutes needed).
What this means: Provide a quiet, private space for a student who needs to pray briefly during the day — an empty classroom, the library, a quiet corner. This is a 10-15 minute need, usually once or twice per school day. Most secular schools handle this as routine religious accommodation.
What NOT to do
- Don't make the student the designated Jewish cultural ambassador. They're 12 years old. They don't represent all Orthodox Jews. Teach Jewish topics from curriculum materials, not by calling on the Jewish kid.
- Don't celebrate Christmas in ways that require participation. Secret Santa, class Christmas parties, and Christmas-themed assignments can be awkward. Offer opt-outs quietly.
- Don't schedule tests on Jewish holidays. Check a Jewish calendar at the start of each term. This single habit prevents most problems.
- Don't assume one Orthodox family's practice applies to all. Modern Orthodox, Yeshivish, and Hasidic families can have different specifics.
The Educator's Guide to Orthodox Jewish Students
Full guide includes a year-by-year Jewish school calendar template, scripts for parent-teacher conversations, classroom-activity adaptations by grade level, guidance for coaches and extracurricular leaders, and how to build curriculum that includes Jewish perspectives appropriately.