Program Philosophy
Hadassah Primary School provides Pre-Kindergarten through Primary 7 education following Uganda’s national curriculum, combined with Hebrew language instruction and Jewish studies. The school enrolls Jewish, Christian, and Muslim students who study together in the same classrooms. Our mission is to prepare children to meet the challenges of a changing world through complete education inside and outside the classroom, at costs families can afford. Academic preparation for secondary school (high school) is paired with attention to students’ physical, cultural, and spiritual development.
Academic Excellence
Core Curriculum
Hadassah school follows Uganda’s national curriculum for all grades, with systematic instruction in Mathematics, English, Integrated Science and Health Studies, and Social Studies – the core subjects tested in the Primary Leaving Examination. Teachers conduct regular assessments through homework assignments, periodic tests, and end-of-term examinations.
Hebrew Language
Hebrew instruction is integrated into the school schedule, and is compulsory for Jewish students. Students learn to read, write, and pray in Hebrew, beginning with basic vocabulary and prayers and progressing to more advanced material in upper grades. The program is designed to ensure that every student can function as a leader of tefilah, or prayer, as well as read Torah.
Jewish Studies
Jewish students study Torah stories, Jewish ethics, holidays, and ritual practice as part of their coursework. This instruction covers both the content of Jewish tradition and its application to daily life. The school observes Shabbat weekly and maintains kosher practices in the kitchen. An after-school Jewish Education Center provides additional programming in Jewish customs, culture, and religion for students who want deeper engagement.
Computer Literacy
The school has a computer literacy program to teach students, teachers, and the wider community basic digital skills including computer operation, Microsoft Office, email, and internet research. In rural Uganda, where most students have limited technology access, basic computer skills open pathways to further education and employment.
Jewish Life & Culture
Shabbat Observance
Hadassah Primary School observes Shabbat, and is closed on Saturdays (when most Ugandan schools hold classes). The school is working to expand Shabbat programming to include regular Friday afternoon services with candle lighting, Kiddush, and special meals, along with Torah study and singing. Weekly Shabbat observance gives students direct experience of Jewish time and community practice.
Jewish Festivals
The school marks the cycle of Jewish holidays including Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Chanukah, Tu BiShvat, Purim, Passover, and Shavuot. Festival celebrations combine religious observance, cultural education, and festive meals. For Jewish students, these are foundational experiences of their identity. For all students, they are community events that teach respect for different traditions. The school is working to expand festival programming with more elaborate celebrations and hands-on activities.
After-School Jewish Education Center
The school plans to establish a dedicated Jewish Education Center for additional instruction in Jewish customs, culture, and religion beyond the regular school day. This center will ensure Jewish students, many of whom are the only Jews in their home villages, maintain strong connections to their heritage through Hebrew prayer, Jewish history, lifecycle rituals, and values study.
Student Wellness & Support
Nutrition Program
The school provides three meals daily to students: breakfast, lunch, and supper. Current meals include staple carbohydrates (posho, rice, sweet potatoes), proteins (beans), and vegetables.. The school is working to improve meal nutrition and variety to better support student health and concentration. Special Shabbat and holiday meals are provided as funding allows.
Boarding Program
Hadassah offers boarding to students whose families live too far for daily commuting, as well as orphans and children from difficult circumstances. Boarders live in school dormitories under supervision by a matron. The program provides stable housing where students can focus on studies and participate fully in school life, including Shabbat and Jewish observances.
Scholarships
The school does its best to maintain a scholarship program for academically deserving students whose families cannot afford full school fees. Many students come from impoverished families, and some are orphans. The scholarship program ensures that economic hardship doesn’t prevent talented students from continuing their education. The school actively seeks sponsors for students from financially challenged backgrounds to keep them enrolled through graduation.
Arts & Athletics
Music, Dance, and Drama
The school’s MDD program teaches traditional Ugandan music, dance, and drama while preparing students for regional and national competitions. In 2025, Hadassah’s MDD ensemble competed at the national festival in Mbarara, advancing through multiple competition levels. Students learn performance skills, cultural traditions, and the discipline required for ensemble work. The program develops confidence and gives students opportunities to represent their school at high-profile events.
Games & Sports
Physical education and organized sports include football (soccer), netball, and running. Students practice regularly and compete in inter-school matches. The athletics program teaches teamwork, discipline, and resilience: lessons that apply directly to academic work and life beyond school. The school is working to expand sports facilities and equipment to serve more students and compete at higher levels.
All programs are open to students of all faiths. Jewish programming is required for Jewish students and welcome to others who wish to participate.