Golda Och Academy (Top Ranked 草榴社区 School for 2026-27)

REQUEST INFO

SAVE SCHOOL

Quick Facts (2026-27)

Top Ranked NJ School
Grades: Prekindergarten-12
Enrollment: 453 students
Yearly Tuition: $39,890
Acceptance rate: 80%
Average class size: 11 students
Application Deadline: None / Rolling
Source: 鉁�Verified school update

School Rankings

Golda Och Academy ranks among the top 20% of private schools in New Jersey for:

School Facts

Religious Affiliation

Jewish

Grades Offered

Grades Prekindergarten-12

Students By Grade

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade
Grade	Golda Och Academy
Pre-K	11
Kind	32
1	28
2	35
3	30
4	35
5	46
6	31
7	32
8	41
9	35
10	38
11	30
12	29

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School Data: Full School Dataset XML | Full School Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Learning Difference Programs

Yes

Dual Language Immersion Program

Yes

Secondary Immersion Language

Other

Year Founded

1965

School Calendar

Student Body

Total Students

453 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

State avg.: 40%

Academic Profile

Total Classroom Teachers

81 teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

6:1

National avg.:

% Faculty w/Advanced Degree

70%

Average Class Size

11 students

Average SAT score

1340

(Out of 1600)

Average ACT score

(Out of 36)

Matriculation DataMatric. Data

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

No shorts or tank tops permitted.

Number of AP Courses

4 courses

List of Courses Offered

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
New Jersey Association of Independent Schools (NJAIS)
Prizmah: Center for Jewish Day Schools (absorbed SSDSA) (Prizmah)

Tuition & Financial Aid

Admission Deadline

None / Rolling

Yearly Tuition Cost

$39,890

View national tuition avg.

Tuition Notes

Tuition cost varies by grade level. Visit our website for more information.

Acceptance Rate

80%

National avg.: 85%

Admissions Director

Sari Allen

Admissions Associate

Jessica Wise

Application URL

Endowment Size

$54.8 million

Sports

Total Sports Offered

8 sports

Sports

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.

26 extracurriculars

ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.

Club or Organization:

Arts ClubBreast Cancer Awareness

Chess ClubClimate Activism

Community Service ClubDance Club

High School NewspaperInvestment Club

LGBTQ+ Inclusion ClubLiterary Magazine

Math ClubMath Olympiad

Model CongressNames Not Numbers

National Honor SocietyRacial Justice Club

Roboticsscience enrichment

Social Action ClubVideo Club

Women's Empowerment

Show More (5)Hide

Arts and Music Programs:

Arts In Action NightChoir

High School MusicalHigh School Play

Middle School Musical

School Notes

Our Mission: We nurture the unique potential of each student through an exceptional Jewish and general studies education.
Our Vision: Innovative Jewish thinkers begin their journey here. Our students explore the world through the lens of Jewish values and develop a love of learning, a personal relationship with the State of Israel and its people, and a commitment to the betterment of the world through tikkun olam.
Our Values: Love of Learning: We inspire a love of learning and encourage intellectual curiosity across all disciplines. Students learn to think creatively and independently in a community infused with Jewish tradition and values. Community: We establish a strong partnership between students, teachers, parents and the community beyond the classroom and campus. Our vibrant learning community focuses on the intellectual, social, and spiritual needs of each child. Respect: We encourage a shared responsibility for treating others and ourselves with respect and dignity. Our students and faculty practice empathy, menschlichkeit, and integrity when interacting with others. Love of Israel: We empower our students to develop an ongoing personal connection to Israel by studying its history, its culture, and the Hebrew language. Students learn the importance of Israel both in the classroom and within the land itself. Repair of the World: Our students learn the importance of communal responsibility and service both locally and globally through acts of tikkun olam (repair of the world) and gemilut hasadim (expressions of loving kindness). Jewish Life and Learning: We inspire our students to find joy and meaning in Torah, tefillah, rituals, and practices, including the teaching and celebration of lifecycle events, holidays, and traditions within our school community.

Located in West Orange, New Jersey, Golda Och Academy is an accredited private independent school, educating students from pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade in a flexible and caring environment that nurtures their minds and their spirits. In the tradition of Solomon Schechter schools, we ground a rigorous academic curriculum in the culture and tenets of Conservative Judaism, while welcoming students and families from a range of synagogue affiliations and Jewish expression. Golda Och Academy is a vibrant learning community that focuses on the individual intellectual, social and spiritual needs of each child. We cultivate in students a lifelong love of learning within the context of Jewish knowledge and heritage. Our school is located on two campuses - one for the Lower School and one for the Upper School - located about two miles apart in West Orange, serving approximately 500 students from more than 70 communities across New Jersey.

Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Jessica Antiles 鈥�15 - Swimmer
- Joanna Stern 鈥�02 - Senior Personal Technology Columnist, The Wall Street Journal
- Steven Fulop - Mayor of Jersey City, NJ
- Daniel Och - Finance/Investment

Source: Verified school update

REQUEST FREE INFORMATION

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Golda Och Academy cost?

Golda Och Academy's tuition is approximately $39,890 for private students.

What is the acceptance rate of Golda Och Academy?

The acceptance rate of Golda Och Academy is 80%, which is lower than the national average of 82%.

Who are famous alumni from Golda Och Academy?

Golda Och Academy famous alumni include: Jessica Antiles 鈥�15, Joanna Stern 鈥�02, Steven Fulop and Daniel Och.

What sports does Golda Och Academy offer?

Golda Och Academy offers 8 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Tennis and Volleyball.

What is Golda Och Academy's ranking?

Golda Och Academy ranks among the top 20% of private schools in New Jersey for: Largest student body, Most extracurriculars offered and Largest endowments.

When is the application deadline for Golda Och Academy?

The application deadline for Golda Och Academy is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).

School Reviews

5.00 out of 5 (5 reviews)

5 8/19/2021

Golda Och Academy combines Judaic studies with excellence in general studies to give each student an exceptional educational experience (including a very small student-to-teacher ratio). Golda Och Academy develops children who are joyfully Jewish, fosters a strong sense of unity and, as these students grow into young adults, they assume a deep sense of communal responsibility to better the world. In many respects, Golda Och Academy graduates are better prepared to tackle the rigors of college academics due to their experience with a dual curriculum and commitment to critical thinking at every stage. I feel so fortunate my family is a part of this warm community and grateful our children are experiencing the gift of a Golda Och Academy education.

- Posted by Parent - Rebecca Berman

5 8/19/2021

Most amazing school and community. All of my very different children have thrived there. We are so happy we chose it.

- Posted by Parent - Ellen Berkowitz

5 8/19/2021

Kids are very happy at GOA! Excellent academics and supportive community!!

- Posted by Parent - Melissa Elbaum

5 8/19/2021

Golda Och Academy is a warm, wonderful school and community. We feel very fortunate to have found this school for our child.

- Posted by Parent - Lynn Arian

5 7/28/2021

We love GOA! It provides our children with the right mix of academic excellence, nurturing environment, and community!

- Posted by Parent - Sari Allen

Endorse Golda Och Academy. Endorsements should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:

Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Academic or athletic awards

Recent Articles

September 08, 2026

When Your Child Outpaces the 草榴社区 School Curriculum

Learn what parents can do when a child finishes private school coursework early, including acceleration, curriculum compacting, advanced classes, enrichment, and signs the school needs a new plan.

September 08, 2026

How Much Teacher Access Does Your Child Get?

Learn how to evaluate teacher access at private schools, including extra-help time, advising, communication, academic support, and the questions families should ask before choosing a school today.

September 08, 2026

When a 草榴社区 School Teacher Leaves Midyear

When a private school teacher leaves midyear, parents need clear answers. Learn what schools should do, what children may experience, and when a departure signals deeper concerns.

Request Info

Email:

Name of parent:

Student first name:

Student last name:

Student date of birth:

Student is:

Male

Female

Currently in grade:

Seeking entry for grade:

Target start date:

Please briefly describe academic, athletic, and extracurricular interests of the student:

Home address:

City:

Country:

State:

Zip: (enter "N/A" if not applicable)

Phone:

Save this data and create your user profile. Create your own user account so you don't have to re-type your user data each time you request information. You'll also be able to track your information requests, get reminded of application dates, and more!

Username:

Password:

Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Essex County, NJ is $21,285 for elementary schools and $24,176 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).

The average acceptance rate in Essex County, NJ is 70% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).