About Sulam

Sulam is a community resource and educational program that is committed to giving children with diverse learning needs a comprehensive education in a Jewish day school atmosphere. Program highlights include: support in organizational & study skills, instruction in and out of the general classroom, consultative services, and staff development.

Playing, learning to read and write, and participating in daily prayers alongside their peers is every child’s birthright. Sulam teaches children with diverse needs the skills necessary for participation in the Jewish community and the confidence to utilize them within the extent of their abilities.

Sulam, established in 1998, is the only non-profit Jewish educational organization in the Greater Washington area for children who require specialized services for learning needs. By collaborating with Jewish day schools, Sulam educates children with diverse needs alongside their peers.

Sulam’s staff collaborates with the Melvin J. Berman Hebrew Academy, to create a specialized learning environment. Each child develops the skills and strategies to become an empowered learner and self-determined individual to the extent of his ability. Sulam students are engaged in all aspects of school life. The children interact with age-appropriate peers throughout the day during prayers, lunch, field trips, in extracurricular activities and, as appropriate, in classes.

Our Approach

Using an innovative, multidisciplinary team approach, Sulam provides a continuum of educational, tutoring and therapy services throughout the school day. Students are placed in one of three tiered program strands depending upon the level of support they need to access the curriculum. The curriculum includes English, language arts, math, science, social studies, Judaic studies, physical education, visual arts and electives for high school students. Visual Arts are infused into the academic program to build upon student’s strengths and interests. A Transition Support Teacher works with high school students and their families as well as assists in the coordination of Senior Internships. Focus is placed on self-determination skills to ensure that students develop the confidence and skills they need to become motivated, lifelong learners.

Our team includes special educators and instructional assistants, an art teacher, a speech and language pathologist, occupational and physical therapists, a social worker and a full time psychologist. The Psychologist works with all students individually and in groups as appropriate. Speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy are integrated into student’s schedules as stipulated by each student’s Formal Educational Plan (FEP).The FEP drives the instructional program, and each student is included in the regular education setting to the maximum extent possible, as appropriate for that child. Curricula are modified to challenge the student and make learning more meaningful. Students may receive services in the general education setting with support from the Sulam staff. Small groups of students may also receive specialized instruction in the Sulam classrooms.

Sulam’s Vision

Sulam's vision is to collaborate with other Jewish day schools throughout the Washington Jewish Community, as well as to serve as a model and resource for other communities.

Sulam enriches our community with a heightened sensitivity and acceptance for individual differences. Your support - both involvement and generous contributions - is needed to help Sulam continue to fulfill its mission.