RAISING THINKERS. SHAPING LEADERS.
Give your child every advantage
Welcome to Zucker Jewish Academy of Houston, a preparatory school where rigorous academics merge with foundational Jewish values and a deep sense of community.
ABOUT ZJA OF HOUSTON
Where bright minds flourish
Zucker Jewish Academy of Houston offers serious, evidence-based academics for families who want their children to stretch, grow, and excel.
At Zucker, every child is seen, supported, and guided to become their strongest, most confident self. We embrace families as partners and bring Jewish heritage to life — with connection, curiosity, and belonging.
Here, your child is set on a path to success and enveloped in a warm, supportive environment with every resource they need to flourish — in the classroom, in the community, and for life.
THE ZUCKER DIFFERENCE
Academics. Warmth. Identity.
Dedicated teachers
Our expertly trained, deeply committed faculty maintain high classroom standards while giving each student the attention and care they need.
Intellectual Exploration
Experiential projects and hands-on activities bring concepts to life, fostering deep understanding and an abiding love for learning.
Jewish Identity
Jewish tradition and values are woven into the curriculum — from character development to Hebrew language skills to a lifelong love of Israel.
Whole-child approach
Every part of your child — intellect, character, creativity, and Jewish identity — is nurtured so they grow confident, capable, and connected.
“We are not teaching math and Jewish holidays. We are teaching children! It’s all about making learning relevant, meaningful and fun.”
ZJA, Teacher
“Public school is just not the ideal place for a Jewish child. So many families are thrilled with their choice to be in a community of children who can relate to their Jewish traditions, holidays, and values.”
ZJA, Head of School
“I wish every parent had the same peace of mind that I do every morning. The school’s #1 priority is our children’s safety.”
ZJA, Parent
A DAY AT ZUCKER
A day of love and learning
Zucker Academy of Houston focuses on the development of the whole child. Our research-based, student-centered program fosters academic excellence with a blend of authentic Jewish and general studies education.
Music, art, sports, fitness, and STEM round out our curriculum, with integrated social-emotional learning throughout. Through experiential learning and skill development, our students gain confidence, resilience, and the tools they need for life.
OUR PEOPLE
Expert educators who understand your child
Our teachers are subject specialists and dedicated mentors, rigorously trained and committed to bringing out the best in every child. They set high expectations while creating a warm, supportive environment where every student feels valued and seen. They forge close partnerships with parents, ensuring a strong team committed to your child’s success.
Rabbi Yehuda Gabay
Head of School
Rabbi Yehuda Gabay
Head of School
Rabbi Yehuda Gabay is an accomplished educator and educational leader with more than two decades of experience in Jewish education across multiple countries. Throughout his career, Rabbi Gabay has been deeply committed to advancing meaningful, high-quality learning by integrating time-honored traditions of Jewish scholarship with the most effective contemporary educational practices.
Rabbi Gabay has led and supported a wide range of initiatives in educational transformation, including change management, 21st-century learning models, strategic planning, curriculum design, and the implementation of active learning environments. His work focuses on building thoughtful, research-informed systems that empower both educators and students while remaining rooted in authentic Jewish values and texts.
Known for his ability to bridge tradition and innovation, Rabbi Gabay brings a balanced, research-based approach that blends classical Jewish instruction with forward-thinking educational strategies. He is especially dedicated to shaping and mentoring the next generation of leaders, helping students and educators develop the skills, vision, and character needed to guide their communities in an ever-changing world.
Over the course of his career, Rabbi Gabay has held several leadership roles in educational institutions around the world, guiding teams, mentoring students and educators, and helping shape strategic visions for the future of Jewish education. His work continues to inspire communities seeking to deepen engagement, strengthen learning, and cultivate future leaders.
Dr. Laya Salomon
Director of education
Dr. Laya Salomon
Director of education
As Director of Education for all Zucker Jewish Academy schools, Dr. Laya Salomon oversees the school’s mission, vision, educational principles, curricula, and teaching and learning standards, ensuring all schools meet high benchmarks for academic success.
Dr. Salomon’s passion is for children and for educating with goals that are learner-centered. She believes in the innate joy of learning and the role of schools in cultivating that joy through targeted, challenging, and personalized learning experiences. She is honored to be a partner in building a network of schools that is committed to educational excellence and effective teaching practices, while rooted in strong Jewish values and beliefs.
In addition to her role at Zucker Jewish Academy, Dr. Salomon serves as the Director of the Master’s Program and an Associate Professor at the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education & Administration at Yeshiva University, where she teaches graduate and doctoral-level courses in curriculum, assessment, lesson planning, teaching methods, mentoring, supervision, and leadership.