Welcome to Kehillah
A Letter from Our Head of School
Welcome to Kehillah!
You are exactly where you should be, exploring our website as you get to know us as a prospective new member of our community. I remember doing the same thing back in 2019, when I considered moving my family across the country to become Kehillah’s fourth head of school.
Believe it or not, it wasn’t the California sunshine that attracted me to this vibrant community. It was the language of belonging, the care for each student building through their four years at Kehillah, and the goal for each student to take significant steps toward becoming who they are, that set Kehillah apart. It’s how Kehillah does Kehillah, firmly rooted in Jewish values, that caught my eye, engaged my heart, and continues to inspire me today.
What does this mean for you, our students?
Belong - Kehillah means “community” and you will find belonging in the relationships you will build with our expert educators, the peers you will learn with and from, the clubs you join, and the teammates you compete with. Whether it is performing in the fall play, demonstrating a trick in the Untalent Show, bringing home a trophy from Moot Beit Din or the Sailbot Robotics competition, or simply sharing lunch with a couple of friends and a teacher you wanted to have a deeper discussion with, you will be welcomed from the first day for who you are and what you can bring to the table.
Build - Over your years at Kehillah, you will have every opportunity to build yourself as a student, a friend, a leader, an innovator, an explorer, and a contributor to the world. In Town Halls and activity clubs, on global experiential education trips and in classes each day, you will have every opportunity for academic, social, and future-focused challenge. You will be expected to use your agency to choose the pathways that speak to you, the avenues to express yourself, and the ways in which you will co-construct your experience and growth.
Become - As a graduate from Kehillah, you will be on your way to becoming who you want to be, who you are meant to be, and who you can be. By making the most of your time here, you will be ready for learning beyond our walls and will know yourself as someone able to engage with the world with civility, curiosity, kindness, and an eye for making a difference in every community in which you find yourself.
Having lived and worked in educational communities on four continents, I know how special Kehillah is in the independent school world. As the parent of two Kehillah alumni, I know how well Kehillah prepares students for the future. After five years in this remarkable community, I know that you will belong, you will be inspired to build, and you will become while at Kehillah.
As you explore the possibility of joining our community I am confident you will gain a deeper understanding of Kehillah as a place where students are encouraged to explore their passions, challenge their intellect, and develop a strong sense of identity and purpose. You will see that there is something here for everyone and your journey with us will be filled with growth, learning, and meaningful connections. Our commitment to inclusivity and excellence in education is evident in everything we do. We pride ourselves on fostering a supportive and inspiring environment where every student feels valued and empowered to achieve their fullest potential.
We look forward to welcoming you into our community and sharing the wonderful experiences that make our school uniquely Kehillah.
Warm regards,
Daisy Pellant, Ph.D.
Head of School