FOR LEARNING FOR LEADING FOR LIFE JACK M. BARRACK HEBREW ACADEMY

Transcription

1 FOR LEARNING FOR LEADING FOR LIFE JACK M. BARRACK HEBREW ACADEMY

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3 For more than 60 years Barrack Hebrew Academy has excelled in developing the minds, bodies and souls of the tri-state area s finest middle and high school students, serving as a model for countless independent Jewish day schools throughout the country. THRIVING ON DIVERSITY Come to Barrack Hebrew Academy and you ll see a lush 35-acre campus with state-of-the-art buildings, alive with the energy of over 300 students and growing each year. Look closer and you ll find the most diverse of the Delaware Valley s Jewish independent schools students from many neighborhoods across three states representing every facet of Jewish observance and life, united by their shared commitment to learning and helping one another and the community to flourish. DELIVERING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE Inside the fully equipped science labs, along the paths of our arboretum, you ll discover students who joined us from independent, public and Jewish day schools to benefit from the best secular and Jewish education. Thanks to our nurturing faculty and ongoing mentoring from older students, Middle School students begin excelling early in their Barrack years and they seamlessly transition to the Upper School, where the academic, sports, extracurricular and social action opportunities continue to abound. OPENING UP THE WORLD You leave Barrack knowing our dedication to challenging and embracing the uniqueness of each student is what enables students to feel confident in their identities and abilities, and uniquely empowers them to find and take their place as leaders in school, in the community and in the world. JACK M. BARRACK HEBREW ACADEMY FOR LEARNING FOR LEADING FOR LIFE

4 FOR Barrack teachers encourage us to question, to think for ourselves. They care about our opinions and inspire us to think creatively, which shapes our lives, our values and our actions. We can t get an education like this anywhere else. - Barrack Senior Barrack Hebrew Academy is where learning truly comes alive for students. It all starts with our dedicated and talented faculty members who encourage students to ask questions, think outside the box and problem solve. Barrack s experienced faculty creates a caring, individualized and hands-on collaborative learning environment that enables students to grow intellectually, socially and spiritually. Our expertly integrated secular and Jewish academic curriculum encourages the critical thinking and imagination necessary to hone cognitive and creative skills. In grades 6 through 8, Middle School teachers use a cutting-edge Core curriculum developed around themes and emphasizing key learning skills. For grades 9 through 12, eight majors English, World Language, Math, Science, History, Hebrew, Bible and Jewish Studies give students a solid academic foundation. Plus, students in all grades can choose from over 50 electives everything from Exploring Arabic to Economics, from A Taste of Talmud to Israeli Current Events, and from Music Theory to Three-Dimensional Art to complement the challenging curriculum.

5 LEARNING Barrack is dedicated to continually evolving academically. Our trimester schedule creates a more dynamic educational program in line with other top U.S. schools. We also know that students best learning sometimes takes place outside the classroom. In addition to offering a lifechanging trimester of study in Israel for juniors, we bring history alive for Middle School students through trips to Williamsburg and Jamestown and encourage Upper School students to work in university labs and explore Jewish life in France and Italy. Closer to home, students participate in Shabbatonim, where they informally discuss Jewish topics and celebrate Shabbat. Points of Pride: Students achieve 100% college acceptance. Barrack has a stellar National Merit Scholarship record. Students traditionally earn top-tier SAT and Achievement Test scores. The JETS (Junior Engineering Technical Society) team ranks first in the state; third nationally. Juniors forge strong ties with Israel during a unique trimester of study in Hod HaSharon. Middle School students compete in and win top awards at the National Geographic Bee and the Pennsylvania Mathematics League competition.

6 FOR Barrack is really supportive of students pursuing their interests, whatever they may be, and there are so many opportunities to lead here. It s exciting to be around so many other motivated, take-charge people. It s a very positive environment. - Barrack Junior Barrack Hebrew Academy students are not only leaders in learning. Our focus on enriching the whole person enables students to excel in many other areas, perhaps most importantly, community service. All Middle School students participate in social action programs throughout the year. Each senior dedicates 150 volunteer hours to a social service or educational agency. In fact, every grade embraces tikkun olam, repairing the world, through kind acts such as spearheading human rights conferences and world hunger banquets, supporting food pantries and aiding Jewish seniors. Our students also shine on the field, thanks in part to Barrack s outstanding home-court advantage in sports competitions an ultra-modern gym, a turf soccer field and five all-weather tennis courts. Barrack sports teams include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis and track and field; many teams repeatedly garner top league honors. We feel that a strong focus on athletics is another important piece of a Barrack education, since the lessons students learn on the field, as team members and individual competitors, translate into vital lessons for life.

7 LEADING The school s approximately 40 clubs give Middle and Upper School students further opportunities to explore their interests and stand out in virtually any area. From Engineering and Environmental Action to Investments and Israel, students can advance in the areas closest to their hearts and often sharpen their skills through competitions with other schools. If students have an interest not matched by an existing club, they are encouraged to form a new club. Additionally, students ensure their voices are heard by participating in Barrack s student government the Middle School Council and the Upper School Student Association. Points of Pride: One hundred percent of the student body participates in community service. Barrack athletes capture league championships and are recognized as all-stars. Student editors publish five publications in English and Hebrew. Students participate in Panim el Panim annual leadership workshops in Washington, D.C., Operation Understanding cross-cultural leadership development and rallies for Israel. Barrack earns Cappies for excellence in drama.

8 FOR My Jewish day school education gave me a secure sense of identity, with a great spectrum of beliefs and attitudes. I emerged eager to embrace the world at large. I am at home in the world. - Alumna 02 Each year, Barrack Hebrew Academy seniors are accepted to the most prestigious American and Israeli universities and colleges. We see college acceptance as the beginning of yet another journey for which we prepare our students. The Jewish values woven into the fabric of Barrack help students solidify their identities as Americans and Jews before beginning their next chapter. Additionally, Barrack s dedication to fostering a secure atmosphere that celebrates diversity and mutual respect enables students to cultivate lasting friendships and develop the confidence necessary to excel academically and socially at college. The Jewish traditions and texts that are integral to Barrack s curriculum effectively guide students choices not just throughout higher learning, but for a lifetime. In fact, graduates of Jewish high schools are more resistant to social pressures that lead to risky behaviors and they demonstrate a stronger sense of responsibility to addressing the needs of the larger society, according to a national Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education study. Barrack s unique approach to education creates adults who feel comfortable taking the lead in communal and professional settings around the globe.

9 LIFE While our alumni go on to play leading roles on the world stage, they also enjoy coming home to Barrack. They travel from Israel and England and California and Maine to participate in class reunions. They help to guide the future of their alma mater through Board and other key involvements. Most importantly, they choose to send their children to Barrack, ensuring that the connection to learning, leadership and life continues from one generation to the next. Points of Pride: Over 2,400 alumni contribute to all aspects of society. Notable alumni leaders include: Mitch Albom 76, Author I Leonard Barrack 60, Noted Lawyer, Communal Leader, Philanthropist I Dan Bricklin 69, Inventor of the Electronic Spreadsheet I Ben Eidelson 04 and Jonathan Levine 93, Rhodes Scholars I Alison Klayman 02, NPR Guest Commentator I Mordechai Rosenstein 51, Artist I Josh Shapiro 91, PA State Representative I Jake Tapper 87, Senior White House Correspondent, ABC News I Rabbi David Wolpe 76, Communal Leader, Author, Educator.

10 College Acceptances Albright College American University Arcadia University Arizona State University Barnard College Bates College Binghamton University Bloomsburg University Boston University Bowdoin College Brandeis University Brown University Carleton College Carnegie Mellon University Case Western Reserve University Clark University Colgate University Columbia University Connecticut College Cornell University CUNY Queens College Delaware Valley College Dickinson College Drew University Drexel University Duke University Duquesne University Emerson College Emory University Franklin & Marshall College George Washington University Goucher College Harvard University Haverford College Hobart & William Smith Colleges Hofstra University Indiana University Ithaca College Johns Hopkins University Kenyon College Lafayette College Lehigh University McGill University Muhlenberg College New York University North Carolina College of the Arts Northeastern University Northwestern University Oberlin College Pace University Pomona College Princeton University Reed College Rice University Rutgers University Sarah Lawrence College Skidmore College Stern College Swarthmore College Syracuse University Temple University Towson University Tufts University Tulane University UCLA Union College University of Arizona University of Colorado University of Connecticut University of Delaware University of Hartford University of Maryland University of Massachusetts University of Miami University of Michigan University of Pennsylvania University of Pittsburgh University of Rochester University of Vermont Ursinus College Vanderbilt University Vassar College Washington University in St. Louis Wesleyan University West Chester University Williams College Yale University Yeshiva University Israel Universities & Programs Bar Ilan University Hebrew University Tel Aviv University Kivunim, New Directions Midreshet Lindenbaum Yeshivat Lev HaTorah Young Judaea Young Judaea Shalem (list incomplete)

11 Our daughters, both Barrack alumnae, have been well-prepared for college and for life in general. Each one was accepted to the school of her choice and both are succeeding academically and actively involved in college life, and are social action leaders continuing the tradition of repairing the world. We know the outstanding academic and social development our third daughter is experiencing at Barrack will enable her to seamlessly transition to college as well. Our teachers really know their students and inspire them to achieve their personal best. Barrack Parents of Two Alumnae and a Senior Middle School Director Barrack offers an environment that provides an excellent secular education, while allowing for the particular religious needs of our children. Going on all the 6th grade field trips was great and celebrating Shabbat with my friends at the Middle School Shabbaton was a highlight of the year. I give tours to visiting students, and I enjoy these opportunities to show off my school. I am so fortunate to have the opportunity to attend Barrack Hebrew Academy. Barrack 6th Grader Barrack Parents of Middle and Upper School Students If you want to have Jewish children become dedicated Jewish adults who will become national and international leaders, give them a Barrack education. Barrack Grandparent and Benefactor What I really like about Barrack is the sense of community. Everyone is very friendly, and our teachers really want us to succeed. I feel at home here. Barrack 8th Grader We decided to give our children an amazing gift... a Jewish education. Barrack s students and faculty did a wonderful job of welcoming them and us and the transition from a public school setting was effortless. Barrack Parents of Upper and Middle School Students

12 JACK M. BARRACK HEBREW ACADEMY FOR LEARNING FOR LEADING FOR LIFE 272 S. Bryn Mawr Avenue Bryn Mawr, PA P F E info@jbha.org W Accredited by Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools Partnering with the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia