Our Yeshiva
Our Story
Like many towns of the time, Waterbury of the 1960s boasted a sizable and active Jewish population. But by the 1990s, Waterbury’s Jewish community had waned. Families had moved away, and the vibrancy of Jewish life was dwindling.
In 2000, a kollel consisting of nine families moved to Waterbury, CT. These families, along with the 30 bochurim who came with them, formed Yeshiva Gedolah of Waterbury. The need soon arose for a preschool and elementary school – hence the founding of Yeshiva K’tana of Waterbury. YKW began with two classes of five students each. Classes were held in the Yeshiva Gedolah building, and the teachers worked hard to give the children a quality Jewish education.
As word spread of the joys of Waterbury living, more Jewish families began to move in, thus increasing the size of YKW’s student body. In 2003, Yeshiva K’tana moved to its own building, taking over the former University of Connecticut campus.
Personal attention
Middos development
Excellent dual curriculum
Devoted faculty
Tomorrow’s Leaders
Today, Yeshiva K’tana of Waterbury is a full-service preschool, elementary and middle school, boasting a thriving and growing student body of over 630 children. YKW lives up to the highest standards of excellence, providing an exceptionally content-rich and engaging education in an atmosphere of warmth and enthusiasm, where every student has a special place. Upon entering the school building, one is immediately surrounded by the sights and sounds of students learning. The pure voices of children davening and imbibing the Torah’s ancient wisdom reverberate throughout the hallways, setting the backdrop of this beautiful school.
Yeshiva K’tana of Waterbury is unique in that it offers an excellent, comprehensive dual curriculum in both Limudei Kodesh and General Studies. In order to enhance the general knowledge of the students throughout the year, YKW provides many extracurricular programs offered such as computers, seasonal crafts and library as well as many exciting science, history and literary projects throughout the year. In addition, broad spectrum of skills are taught, such as computer literacy, that will enable the students to enter the world as upstanding, well-rounded young adults. In fact, YKW students are consistently accepted to the finest institutions upon graduation.
In addition, the faculty places great emphasis on developing fine character traits (middos) in their students. YKW prides itself on having warm, inspiring rebbeim and teachers who put their hearts and souls into developing all aspects of their students’ intellectual and spiritual growth, with a focus on personal attention. The results are happy, thriving children, as evidenced by the smiling faces and sounds of laughter that echo in the halls each day.
