Or Hachaim Academy is a private Orthodox Jewish day school in North Hollywood, California, serving students from kindergarten through eighth grade according to the California Department of Education. The school describes its mission as providing excellence in both Jewish and secular education while developing students’ intellectual, social, and spiritual potential in a nurturing learning environment. The school is located in the heart of the North Hollywood Orthodox Jewish community, and its website notes that students commute from many different neighborhoods. For families searching for Or Hachaim Academy North Hollywood CA, the school offers an educational model that combines Torah learning, Jewish traditions, and a structured general-education curriculum.
The academic program covers both religious and secular subjects. On the Jewish studies side, the school highlights weekly Parsha study, Chagim, Halacha, and other Torah-based learning. Its general studies program includes Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies and History, and other academic areas supported by the school’s broader learning goals. Or Hachaim also uses named curriculum programs, including McGraw Hill Big Books for Pre-1st Language Arts, Houghton Mifflin Reading for grades 1–4, Mosdos Press for grades 5–8, Houghton Mifflin Math in elementary school, and Holt Mathematics in junior high. The school also uses Gradelink for parents to monitor grades and student progress.
For parents researching Or Hachaim Academy tuition, admissions, school reviews, curriculum, calendar dates, or the grades offered, this profile brings together the information that can be verified from the school’s website and the California Department of Education. The school asks prospective families to call to schedule an interview and school tour with the principal, and its published admissions process asks families to bring recent report cards, standardized testing scores, and an IEP if applicable. Tuition assistance is discussed directly with Rabbi Gabay, according to the school’s published tuition information. Because some pages on the school’s website contain older publication dates, current tuition amounts and other changeable enrollment details should be confirmed with the school before making a decision.
Basic Information
Or Hachaim Academy is officially classified by the California Department of Education as an Elementary School (Private), with a kindergarten-through-eighth-grade span. The CDE record lists the school as active and places it within the boundaries of Los Angeles Unified. The school’s own website identifies it as an Orthodox Jewish day school and describes its purpose as combining Jewish and secular education. Although CDE categorizes the campus as an elementary private school, its official grade span extends through eighth grade, which makes the school relevant to both the Elementary School and Middle School categories on SchoolInCalifornia. The school’s website also refers to its junior-high program when describing mathematics and other academics.
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| School Name | Or Hachaim Academy |
| Official Website Name | Yeshivat Or Hachaim Academy / Or Hachaim Academy |
| School Type | Elementary School (Private), according to CDE |
| Sector | Private |
| Status | Active |
| Grade Span | K–8 |
| Low Grade | K |
| High Grade | 8 |
| CDE CDS Code | 19-64733-6204556 |
| County | Los Angeles |
| Public School | No |
| District Boundary | Los Angeles Unified |
| Educational Model | Orthodox Jewish day school combining Jewish and secular education |
| Primary Site Location | North Hollywood, California |
| SchoolInCalifornia Categories | Elementary School + Middle School |
| School Mission | Excellence in Jewish and secular education and development of students’ intellectual, social, and spiritual potential |
| Community | North Hollywood Orthodox Jewish community |
| Open Date | May 24, 2005, according to CDE |
| CDE Record Last Updated | August 6, 2025 |
Contact & Location
Or Hachaim Academy’s current official website lists its contact address as 12411 Sylvan Street, North Hollywood, CA 91606, together with the school’s main phone number and email address. The California Department of Education directory record lists 6021 Laurel Canyon Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91606-4615 as the school address and 12411 Sylvan St. as the mailing address. This distinction is important for a directory listing because both addresses appear in authoritative sources. The CDE record also identifies Mrs. Yochi Oz as the administrator/custodian of records. Families should use the school’s current contact information when arranging an interview, tour, or admissions conversation.
| Contact / Location | Details |
|---|---|
| School Address – CDE | 6021 Laurel Canyon Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91606-4615 |
| Mailing Address – CDE | 12411 Sylvan St., North Hollywood, CA 91606 |
| Website Contact Address | 12411 Sylvan Street, North Hollywood, CA 91606 |
| Phone | (818) 766-2417 |
| admin@orhachaim.com | |
| CDE Administrator | Mrs. Yochi Oz |
| CDE Custodian of Records | Yochi Oz |
| County | Los Angeles |
| Public District Boundary | Los Angeles Unified |
| School Website | https://orhachaim.com/ |
| Admissions Contact Method | Call the school to schedule an interview and school tour with the principal |
| Location Description | The school describes itself as being in the heart of the North Hollywood Orthodox community |
Academics & Curriculum
Or Hachaim Academy’s academic identity comes from its combination of Orthodox Jewish education and general studies. The school describes weekly Parsha review as a core part of the Jewish curriculum and teaches holiday-related halachot, minhagim, tefillot, Torah readings, and lessons connected to Jewish holidays. In secular studies, the Language Arts program progresses from phonics and phonemic awareness in Pre-1st through literature-based learning in grades 5–8. Mathematics uses Houghton Mifflin in elementary school and Holt Mathematics in junior high, with an honors mathematics option for qualifying junior-high students. Social Studies follows California State Standards and concludes the year with a History Fair.
| Curriculum Area | Details |
|---|---|
| Overall Academic Model | Jewish and secular education |
| Jewish Studies | Torah learning, Parsha, Chagim, Halacha and related Jewish studies |
| Parsha | Weekly Parsha review, Torah stories and laws, deeper lessons, and practical applications |
| Chagim | Holiday terminology, halachot, minhagim, tefillot, special Torah readings, and holiday projects |
| Language Arts – Pre-1st | McGraw Hill Big Books; phonics, phonemic awareness, high-frequency words, fluency, comprehension, listening comprehension and writing |
| Language Arts – Grades 1–4 | Houghton Mifflin Reading based on California State Standards |
| Language Arts – Grades 5–8 | Mosdos Press literature-based curriculum based on Common Core Standards |
| Language Skills | Phonics, decoding, comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, writing and literary study |
| Mathematics – Elementary | Houghton Mifflin Math |
| Mathematics – Junior High | Holt Mathematics |
| Math Skills | Number and operations, measurement, geometry, data analysis, probability, algebra and reasoning |
| Honors Math | Available to qualifying junior-high students |
| Social Studies | Program meets California State Standards |
| Social Studies Skills | Map skills, comparing life across times and places, historical cause/effect, government institutions and practices |
| 3rd Grade Social Studies | Communities |
| 4th Grade Social Studies | California History |
| 5th Grade Social Studies | Making a Nation |
| 6th Grade Social Studies | Ancient Civilizations and Geography |
| 7th Grade Social Studies | World Geography |
| 8th Grade Social Studies | U.S. History |
| History Fair | Social Studies year concludes with a History Fair |
| Student Information System | Gradelink is used for parents to view and track grades and progress |
| Learning Goals | Academic, personal, and religious life skills |
| Library | Listed as part of the school’s academic resources |
Admissions & Fees
The published admissions process at Or Hachaim Academy is interview- and tour-based. Prospective families are instructed to call the school to schedule an interview and school tour with the principal. The school asks families to bring the student’s final report cards from the previous two years, the current report card, standardized testing scores from the previous two years, and a current IEP if applicable. Following the tour, the published process says families schedule an appointment with the Dean to register the child. The school’s tuition page does not publish a current dollar amount; instead, it says the school seeks to keep tuition low and can discuss financial assistance with families who need it.
| Admissions / Fees | Details |
|---|---|
| Application / Admissions Contact | Call the school to schedule an interview and school tour |
| Initial Meeting | Interview and school tour with the principal |
| Required Academic Records | Final report cards from the last two years |
| Current Report Card | Required for the interview |
| Testing Records | Standardized testing scores from the last two years |
| IEP | Current IEP should be brought if applicable |
| Post-Tour Step | Appointment with the Dean to register the child |
| Tuition | The official tuition page does not publish a current dollar amount |
| Tuition Philosophy | School states that it makes every effort to maintain tuition fees at the lowest possible level while maintaining educational excellence |
| Tuition Assistance | Families requiring assistance can meet with Rabbi Gabay to discuss tuition assistance |
| Financial Aid Amount | Not publicly specified on the school’s tuition page |
| Application Deadline | Not stated on the official admissions information reviewed |
| Admissions Availability | Current openings should be confirmed directly with the school |
Facilities
The school’s public website provides less detailed facilities information than it does curriculum information, so this profile avoids adding unsupported claims about gyms, laboratories, playgrounds, or other physical facilities. What can be verified is that Or Hachaim maintains a school environment supported by academic resources such as its library, Gradelink student information system, parent resources, supply lists, and school calendar. The school’s gallery also documents school activities including Israel Independence Day, Hanukkah, a petting zoo, Mitzvah activities, and other community events. The school additionally publishes a Parent Handbook and Code of Conduct, showing that family-facing school procedures are part of its information system.
| Facility / Resource | Details |
|---|---|
| Main School Location | North Hollywood, California |
| Library | Listed by the school under Academics |
| Student Information System | Gradelink |
| Parent Resources | Parent Handbook, Code of Conduct, Tips for Parents and supply lists |
| Academic Resources | Curriculum materials for Language Arts, Math, Social Studies and Jewish Studies |
| Calendar | Or Hachaim Academy Calendar 2025–2026 is linked on the official website |
| Gallery | Official gallery documents school activities and celebrations |
| School Activities Shown | Israel Independence Day, Hanukkah, petting zoo, Mitzvah activities and other events |
| Uniform Information | School website has published information concerning Fraylich School Uniforms |
| Physical Facilities | Specific current facility inventory is not published in sufficient detail on the official website reviewed |
Staff & Leadership
Or Hachaim Academy publishes identifiable leadership information on its official website. Rabbi Amram Gabay is presented as Dean and Rosh Yeshiva and is described as the founder whose vision was to create a school teaching Jewish children Torah values alongside a strong elementary education. Mrs. Raquel Nesser is identified as the Or Hachaim Academy Principal, while Mrs. Ronit Yehezkelof is identified as Principal of the Laurel Canyon Girls Campus. The CDE directory separately lists Mrs. Yochi Oz as the school’s administrator and custodian of records. Because these roles come from different official sources, they should not be treated as interchangeable titles.
| Leadership | Details |
|---|---|
| Dean & Rosh Yeshiva | Rabbi Amram Gabay |
| School Principal | Mrs. Raquel Nesser |
| Laurel Canyon Girls Campus Principal | Mrs. Ronit Yehezkelof |
| CDE Administrator | Mrs. Yochi Oz |
| CDE Custodian of Records | Yochi Oz |
| Founder | Rabbi Amram Gabay |
| Founder’s Background | The school website states that Rabbi Gabay was born in Morocco, received semicha from Yeshivat Eshel in Strasbourg, France, and came to Los Angeles in 1984 |
| Founding Vision | To spread Torah learning and create an elementary school teaching Torah principles alongside general education |
| School Name Origin | Named after Rabbi Chaim ben Attar, known as the Or Hachaim Hakadosh |
| Educational Values Highlighted | Limud HaTorah, Derech Eretz and Ahavat Yisrael |
| Current Staff Directory | A complete teacher-by-teacher roster is not published on the reviewed official pages |
Community & Events
Or Hachaim Academy describes itself as part of the North Hollywood Orthodox community, with students commuting from multiple neighborhoods. Its community-facing programs include a PTA, home-and-school partnership resources, parent tips, a Bar and Bat Mitzvah guide, school events, and alumni information. The official site also publishes school-year events, including Purim closures and parent-teacher conferences. Its gallery records Jewish holidays and community activities such as Hanukkah and Israel Independence Day. Alumni testimonials on the school website describe relationships with teachers, preparation for high school, and values such as gratitude, positivity, confidence, kindness, and leadership. These testimonials are presented by the school and should be understood as school-published alumni accounts rather than independent reviews.
| Community / Events | Details |
|---|---|
| Community | North Hollywood Orthodox Jewish community |
| Student Catchment | Students commute daily from many different neighborhoods |
| PTA | Parent Teacher Association is listed on the official website |
| Home-School Partnership | Listed as an official section of the school’s site |
| Parent Resources | Tips for Parents, Parent Handbook, Code of Conduct and Bar/Bat Mitzvah guide |
| 2025–2026 Calendar | Official calendar is available through the school website |
| Purim 2026 | School closure listed for March 3–4, 2026 |
| Parent-Teacher Conference | Listed for March 24, 2026 |
| Alumni | School maintains an alumni section and publishes alumni success stories |
| School Gallery | Includes Hanukkah, Israel Independence Day, Mitzvah activities, petting zoo and other school events |
| Student Values | School highlights Torah values, gratitude, positivity, kindness and leadership |
| Community Participation | Parent volunteers and PTA resources are featured on the website |
Accreditation
The California Department of Education provides the authoritative school-directory classification used here: Or Hachaim Academy is listed as an active private elementary school with grades K–8. The CDE record does not identify the school as a public or charter school. The school’s own website describes its educational model as an Orthodox Jewish day school combining Jewish and secular education. This profile does not claim WASC or another accreditation because the current official school pages reviewed do not provide sufficient authoritative evidence for that claim. Some third-party pages contain historical accreditation references or opinions, but those are intentionally not presented as current facts.
| Accreditation / Classification | Details |
|---|---|
| CDE School Type | Elementary School (Private) |
| CDE Sector | Private |
| CDE Status | Active |
| CDE Grade Span | K–8 |
| CDE CDS Code | 19-64733-6204556 |
| Public School | No |
| Charter School | No |
| Academic Accreditation | No current accreditation organization was verified from the official school website reviewed |
| School Educational Identity | Orthodox Jewish day school |
| Jewish Education | Torah and Jewish studies integrated into the school program |
| Secular Education | General academic curriculum including Language Arts, Mathematics and Social Studies |
| CDE Record Date | Last updated August 6, 2025 |
Conclusion
Or Hachaim Academy is an active private K–8 school in North Hollywood, California, combining Orthodox Jewish education with a structured general-education program. Its curriculum includes Torah studies, Parsha, Chagim, Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies and History, with specific curriculum materials identified for different grade levels. For families searching for Or Hachaim Academy North Hollywood CA, the most important admissions steps are to contact the school, arrange an interview and tour, and confirm current tuition, financial-assistance options, placement, and enrollment availability directly with the administration.
FAQ
What grades does Or Hachaim Academy serve?
The California Department of Education lists Or Hachaim Academy as serving K–8. CDE classifies it as an active private elementary school, while the school’s own academic pages specifically discuss junior-high curriculum through eighth grade.
Is Or Hachaim Academy a private school?
Yes. The CDE directory identifies Or Hachaim Academy as an Elementary School (Private) and states that it is not a public school.
Where is Or Hachaim Academy located?
The CDE school address is 6021 Laurel Canyon Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91606-4615, while the school’s website lists 12411 Sylvan Street, North Hollywood, CA 91606 as its contact/mailing address.
What is the Or Hachaim Academy phone number?
The school’s official website and CDE directory list (818) 766-2417 as the school’s phone number.
What is the Or Hachaim Academy tuition?
The official tuition page does not publish a current dollar amount. It states that the school works to keep tuition fees as low as possible while maintaining educational excellence and that families needing financial assistance can meet with Rabbi Gabay to discuss tuition assistance.
Does Or Hachaim Academy offer financial aid?
The school’s published tuition information says that it is prepared to assist families who require financial assistance and that parents should meet with Rabbi Gabay to discuss tuition assistance. The page does not publish a current aid amount or percentage.
How do you apply to Or Hachaim Academy?
The school’s published admissions process instructs families to call and schedule an interview and school tour with the principal. After the tour, families schedule an appointment with the Dean to register the child.
What documents are required for Or Hachaim Academy admissions?
The published admissions process asks families to bring final report cards from the previous two years, the current report card, standardized testing scores from the previous two years, and a current IEP if applicable.
Is Or Hachaim Academy a Jewish school?
Yes. The school’s official website describes Or Hachaim as an Orthodox Jewish day school committed to excellence in Jewish and secular education.
What does Or Hachaim Academy teach?
The school combines Jewish studies with general academics. Its published curriculum includes Parsha, Chagim, Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies and History, along with other academic and religious learning resources.
What math curriculum does Or Hachaim Academy use?
The school states that Houghton Mifflin Math is used in the elementary school and Holt Mathematics in junior high. The curriculum covers number and operations, measurement, geometry, data analysis and probability, algebra, and reasoning. Qualifying junior-high students can take Honors Math.
What reading curriculum does Or Hachaim Academy use?
Pre-1st uses McGraw Hill Big Books, grades 1–4 use Houghton Mifflin Reading, and grades 5–8 use Mosdos Press. The school’s program includes phonics, decoding, comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, writing, and literature.
Does Or Hachaim Academy use California academic standards?
Yes. The school’s Social Studies and History page states that its Social Studies program meets California State Standards. It also identifies the curriculum sequence from community studies in early grades through California History, U.S. History, geography, and ancient civilizations.
Does Or Hachaim Academy have a middle school?
The CDE grade span is K–8, and the school’s Mathematics curriculum specifically identifies a junior-high program using Holt Mathematics and offering Honors Math to qualifying students. Therefore, on SchoolInCalifornia, the school should be listed in both Elementary School and Middle School categories.
Who is the principal of Or Hachaim Academy?
The official school website identifies Mrs. Raquel Nesser as Or Hachaim Academy Principal. It separately identifies Mrs. Ronit Yehezkelof as Principal of the Laurel Canyon Girls Campus.
Who founded Or Hachaim Academy?
The school’s website identifies Rabbi Amram Gabay as its founder and Dean/Rosh Yeshiva. It says he founded the school from a vision of teaching Jewish children Torah values and creating an elementary school where those principles could be integrated into daily life.
Does Or Hachaim Academy have a school calendar?
Yes. The official website provides an Or Hachaim Academy Calendar 2025–2026 and an events section. The website currently displays events including Purim school closures and a parent-teacher conference.
Does Or Hachaim Academy have a Parent Teacher Association?
Yes. A PTA – Parent Teacher Association section is listed among the school’s official School Info resources.
Does Or Hachaim Academy use Gradelink?
Yes. The school says parents can log into Gradelink to view and track their child’s grades and progress.
What category should Or Hachaim Academy have on SchoolInCalifornia?
The correct categories are Elementary School + Middle School because the CDE officially records the school’s grade span as K–8. It should not be listed only as a high school.
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