Mission & Values
A Jewish K-8 personalized education setting, MWJDS nurtures each student’s unique learning path in small classroom environments, meeting individual needs based on a child’s holistic profile, developing students’ exceptional abilities, and fostering success beyond traditional education.
Unique Learning Paths
Here, the staff accept and embrace the fact that everyone has their own distinct levels.
Small Classroom Environment
Our low student-to-teacher ratio allows our exceptional staff to truly know and teach the whole child.
Develop Exceptional Abilities
MWJDS ignites the extraordinary in each student through dynamic curriculum, collaborative projects, and a commitment to thinking beyond conventional boundaries.
Multi-age Learning
We believe multi-age classrooms (a) foster learning partnerships and social connections reflecting real-world dynamics, (b) enable us to meet students at their academic level, and (c) provide developmentally appropriate challenges in curriculum.
Nurture the Future
Instilling Jewish values in our students, we empower them as proud members of the Jewish community.
Teaching to the Whole Child
The theory of educating the whole child focuses on all aspects of a student’s development—academic, social, emotional, and physical. Our school is committed to teaching the whole child by embracing their unique learning styles and paces, addressing their social-emotional needs, and partnering with families to gain a deeper understanding of their home life.
We prioritize recognizing each student’s hobbies, likes, and dislikes, incorporating these interests into our educational approach. By doing so, we create an engaging, nurturing, and inclusive environment that supports every aspect of a child’s development, ensuring they thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. This approach also ensures that an MWJDS education is holistic, nurturing well-rounded individuals who are prepared for success in all areas of life.
“My children have thrived at MWJDS, where their teachers challenge them and take them to the next level both in traditional content and in their critical thinking skills and social & emotional learning.” – MWJDS parent
Meet Our Dedicated Founders
Renée and Steven Finn
In 2001, Renée and Steven Finn had a dream of a Jewish day school in the Metrowest suburbs of Boston.
The Finns, together with their devoted families, staff, volunteers, and donors, succeeded in creating what had never been done before: opening a community school in this area for all families raising Jewish children, regardless of background or observance.
They operate the Steven and Renee Finn Foundation based in Natick, Massachusetts, which actively supports local education, human services, and philanthropic organizations. Arts Support: Steven and Renée have served as the principal underwriters for the Mr. Finn’s Cabaret at the Barrington Stage Company in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, since 2014. Steven also serves on the board of trustees for the Barrington Stage Company.
Steven earned his degrees from MIT (Bachelor’s in ’68, Master’s in ’69, Engineer’s in ’70, ScD in ’75) and had a distinguished career as a principal research scientist there before retiring. He also founded the software company Bytex Corporation and serves as a special limited partner at Matrix Partners. He and Renée endowed the Steven and Renee Finn Innovation Fellow at MIT to support mid-career faculty in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
Renée held the position of Founding President through the first six years. A former resident of Framingham, she has served as a Town Meeting Representative, President of a public school PTO, and as an incorporator of the Framingham Education Foundation. Renée has served on the Board of Directors of CJP, Jewish Family Service of Metrowest and as co-chair of the Commission on Jewish Life and Learning. It was her experience as an adult learner in Me’Ah that led to the founding of MWJDS. Renée and Steven live in Natick where their children and grandchildren are neighbors. She is an active member of Temple Beth Sholom (Framingham) and is passionate about accessible Jewish education as a critical link to Jewish continuity.
A retired clinical audiologist, Renée practiced at MEEI (Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary) and the Newton Wellesley Hospital. She holds a B.S. degree in education from Boston University and an M.A. degree in audiology from Northwestern University. She received CCC designation from the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) in 1971.