First I will discuss my friends' experience with Hebrew school, then the intended approach for a modern Jewish boy/girl.
My friend started his Hebrew school when he was 12 years old. Beforehand, he had been tutored at home. He did not actually have his bar mitzvah until he was 15. He and his friends called it "Sunday school," even though he had his on Saturday at his synagogue. The main things taught at Hebrew school are the teachings of the Torah and the societal implications of Judaism. As you grow older, you learn about Israeli politics and the Arab-Israeli relations. When my friend had his bar mitzvah, he he read the parashah, a portion of the Torah read weekly at Jewish services. As he got older, he participated in tzedakah (giving back). This was the word they use for giving back to the community, an important aspect of growing up Jewish. He also was a part of teen youth groups, which would talk about being Jewish in daily life and doing community service together. Because he didn't start until he was older, he participated in the buddy system only as the older buddy. Jewish youth will help each other by having the older boys and girl assist in teaching the younger kids.
The traditional Jewish child will start going to Hebrew school when they are in Kindergarten. Hebrew school is typically taught on Sundays and on Tuesday or Wednesday evening. It is meant to culminate at confirmation, a practice occurring only in the reformed and conservative movements, and not in the Jewish Orthodox movement. Those who study in the Orthodox tradition go through daily teachings of more in depth learning of the Torah in order to become a rabbi.
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