Middle school
Judaic studies
OCA has designed its curriculum to give students access to knowledge, concepts, and skills to inspire them to be committed Torah-authentic Jews, equipped with the tools and skills to be able to learn throughout their lives. To facilitate this, we have created a framework for students to learn about Gemara (boys), Mishna (girls), Chumash, Halacha, Navi, Biur Tefila, and Ivrit.
Gemara (boys)
Students build on their foundational skills in Mishnah as they begin to engage in the study of Gemara, with a focus on developing strong analytical and reasoning skills. Sixth grade students study Eilu Metziot, while seventh and eighth grade students follow a two-year cycle of HaKones and Arvei Pesachim, with instruction leveled to meet the varying needs and abilities of students across the grades.
Instruction emphasizes the ability to break down, classify, and connect the different components of a sugya, guiding students toward a deeper understanding of the structure and flow of Talmudic discussion.
Using the Gemara Berura system, alongside direct instruction from their teachers, students develop the vocabulary, skills, and strategies necessary to analyze the text and construct meaning independently. Over time, students approach the Gemara with increasing confidence, laying the foundation for independent learning.
Chumash
Students develop increasing independence in their Chumash learning, with a focus on Sefer Shemot during the Middle School years. Instruction emphasizes close reading of the text, with careful attention to shoresh identification, grammatical structure, and precise understanding of the pesukim. Students are guided to read thoughtfully and accurately, building the skills necessary to approach the text with clarity and confidence. Students engage deeply with Rashi and other mefarshim, developing strong skills in critical thinking and textual analysis as they learn to identify the underlying questions in the text and integrate commentary into a more sophisticated understanding of the parsha. Over time, students are encouraged to ask their own questions, compare approaches among mefarshim, and support their interpretations with evidence from the text.
For girls, instruction in seventh and eighth grade is leveled to support varying levels of depth, pace, and independence, allowing each student to be appropriately challenged while continuing to build strong foundational skills. Through this process, students move toward greater independence in their learning and a deeper, more meaningful engagement with the text.
Mishna
Students develop the skills to read, analyze, and understand Mishnah as a central component of their learning, building on the foundation established in Elementary School. For girls, this work continues through a comprehensive study of Masechet Brachot over the course of the Middle School years, with instruction in seventh and eighth grade leveled to support varying levels of depth, pace, and independence. Boys similarly build on their Elementary School Mishnah learning, with focused review and application in the early part of sixth grade through Eilu Metziot, as they transition into the study of Gemara. Instruction emphasizes careful reading of the text, with a focus on identifying the structure of a Mishnah, recognizing key components such as case, ruling, and reasoning, and following the flow of the discussion. Using the COMD”T methodology, students learn to break down, classify, and connect the different parts of a Mishnah, developing the ability to analyze the text with clarity and precision. Over time, students use these skills to understand and articulate the meaning of the Mishnah with increasing independence.
Navi
Students engage in the study of Navi with a focus on Sefer Shmuel, developing deeper textual comprehension and analytical skills. Instruction emphasizes close reading of the text, with attention to narrative structure, character development, and the broader historical context. Students are guided to think critically about the motivations of key figures and the unfolding of events, while exploring the enduring Torah perspectives and ethical lessons embedded within the text. The Navi class is designed to engage students in discovering the נבואה שהוצרכה לדורות (the eternal messages) canonized in Tanach. Students become familiar with the narrative and focus on themes through each perek. The Navi class shares time with the Biur Tefila course.
Halacha
Students engage in the study of Halacha as a way of understanding how Torah is lived in daily life. The curriculum is structured to build both knowledge and appreciation, with each grade focusing on a central area of halachic practice. Sixth grade focuses on Hilchot Shabbat, with an emphasis on both Zachor and Shamor, including the 39 melachot. In seventh grade, students study tefilla, with boys also learning the halachot of tefillin, deepening their understanding of daily avodat Hashem. Eighth grade focuses on Brachot, helping students develop greater awareness and intention in their everyday experiences. Throughout the year, the Halacha course also provides meaningful preparation for the chagim.
As each chag approaches, students explore its central themes, halachot, and underlying ideas, connecting their learning to the rhythms of the Jewish calendar. Instruction emphasizes both understanding and application. Students learn to navigate halachic texts, think through real-life scenarios, and apply what they have learned in practical ways. Through a combination of discussion and experiential learning, students develop a deeper appreciation for how halacha shapes daily life and guides their actions.
Ivrit
Students develop their Hebrew language skills through a communicative, topic-based approach that emphasizes both comprehension and expression. Instruction is leveled to meet students where they are, allowing for differentiated learning and growth in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students engage in a variety of learning formats, including small-group instruction and targeted practice, where they build skills in listening comprehension, conversation, and language application.
Through the use of authentic materials, interactive activities, and technology, students expand their vocabulary and strengthen their ability to communicate about familiar topics such as daily life, food, transportation, and personal experiences. At the same time, students develop a growing understanding of Hebrew grammar, enabling them to express themselves with increasing accuracy and confidence. The goal is for students to become comfortable communicating in Hebrew while developing an appreciation for Hebrew as a living language that connects Jews across the world.
Biur Tefilla
Students engage in Biur Tefilla as part of their tefilla program, building both understanding and confidence in navigating the siddur. For boys, this learning is integrated into sixth grade and supports their transition into regular participation in minyan. Sixth grade boys join the minyan midway through the year, while seventh and eighth grade boys daven with a minyan daily.
Through this progression, students develop the ability to follow the structure of tefilla independently and participate meaningfully in communal davening. For girls, Biur Tefilla is incorporated into their tefilla classes, where they focus on understanding the structure, language, and themes of the siddur. Each grade explores different sections of the daily davening, developing a deeper understanding of the tefillot and their meaning.
Girls also have regular opportunities to join minyan on a rotating basis, helping them become familiar and comfortable with tefillah in a communal setting. Across all grades, instruction emphasizes both understanding and application. Through guided study, discussion, and experiential approaches, students connect to the meaning of tefilla while developing the skills and confidence to daven thoughtfully and independently.