Academics
Kehillah has a dual curriculum combining Jewish Studies and General Studies, taught by twenty-three faculty members, some of whom are also administrators for the school.
Like its sister independent high schools, Kehillah offers a broad range of academic courses, including honors and AP level courses in all disciplines, including rock band, guitar, music theory, theater, photography, digital art, studio art, painting, alternative media, journalism, yoga, fitness, film review. Ancient and modern languages are offered, including Spanish, French, modern Hebrew, Latin and ancient Greek. Students also study Jewish texts and commentaries, deepening their understanding of Judaism and exploring Jewish values such as kindness, learning for its own sake, and ethical living.
Classes tend to be from four to eighteen students. Due to the 8:1 student-to-teacher ratio, most Kehillah teachers have closer relationships with most Kehillah students. Emphasis is placed both on nurturing and challenging students to achieve and excel. Students meet twice a week with their academic advisors in an advisory group of 8 to 10 students. Advisors follow their advisees’ progress and guide their academic path.
One of Kehillah's stated goals is that its students enjoy the right balance of study, relaxation and reflection. Most students have three to six "prep periods" a week, during which they can study and complete homework, socialize in the student lounge, visit the JCC, meet with teachers or relax. Twice a week students engage in sessions of prayer, reflection and spiritual expression. Students choose from options such as traditional prayer, ethical discussion, meditation and art. Weekly assemblies are held for school-wide experiential learning on a variety of subjects as well as presentations by guest speakers.
“Repair of the world,” or social action, is a central Jewish value and a part of student life at Kehillah. Each class takes a unique service-oriented trip. These learning experiences have included a civil rights tour of the American South, hurricane relief work in Mississippi, and a national youth conference on homelessness in Washington, D.C. The junior class trip is a 2-3 week experience in Israel, also featuring community service. Kehillah has several lunch time clubs dedicated to raising funds and awareness of global poverty, the health of the planet, animal rights, etc. The student body takes one day off of school each year to work for various service groups throughout the local area, and students are expected to complete 20 hours of individual community service each year.
Read more about this topic: Kehillah Jewish High School
Famous quotes containing the word academics:
“Our first line of defense in raising children with values is modeling good behavior ourselves. This is critical. How will our kids learn tolerance for others if our hearts are filled with hate? Learn compassion if we are indifferent? Perceive academics as important if soccer practice is a higher priority than homework?”
—Fred G. Gosman (20th century)
“Almost all scholarly research carries practical and political implications. Better that we should spell these out ourselves than leave that task to people with a vested interest in stressing only some of the implications and falsifying others. The idea that academics should remain “above the fray” only gives ideologues license to misuse our work.”
—Stephanie Coontz (b. 1944)