Academics
Music Theory and Performance
The goals of this course are to build a strong foundation in and understanding of the fundamentals of music and its structure, including chords, rhythms, and harmony, as well as develop skills and to learn to play well with other musicians.
This class meets for 2 double periods a week. One period will be a class on music theory, in which the goal will be to build a strong foundation in and understanding of the fundamentals of music and its structure, including chords, rhythms, and harmony. The second period will be used for band practice together with the 10th grade class in one or more ensembles. The goal will be to develop skills and to learn to play well with other musicians. Musical instrument proficiency is strongly recommended but not required to join this class. Any student who does not play an instrument will need to complete a composition or research project with the teacher's guidance, instead of playing in the band. (This could include writing a song for the band to play!)
Music Skills
The goal of this class is to develop skills and to learn to play well with other musicians.
This class meets 3 periods a week, 2 of them together with the 12th grade. The 2 periods with 12th graders will be used for instrument practice in one or more musical ensembles. The remaining period will consist of lessons on topics in music theory and music history. Some musical instrument proficiency is required to join this class.
Algebra I
The Algebra I course is designed to provide the students with an in-depth level...
of understanding and facility with symbolic manipulation and problem-solving. Students learn to solve equations and inequalities and to write their own in order to model real-world problems. A great deal of polynomial work is done in one or more variables. Systems of equations, algebraic fractions, and exponents are studied. The concept of function is introduced and students will explore the inherent connection between algebraic and graphical representations of such functions. Graphing calculators support and enhance this understanding. In addition, students will use iPads for practice, applications, and visual connections. Students will be well-prepared to continue their study of mathematics, which is strongly dependent upon a thorough understanding of algebraic techniques.
Algebra II
The major objective of the Algebra II/Trigonometry syllabus is the integration...
of intermediate algebra, plane trigonometry and coordinate geometry. To achieve this goal, trigonometric content is presented at an early stage and carried along simultaneously with work in algebra. Such a presentation is more effective than one in which the teaching of trigonometry is deferred until intermediate algebra has been completed.
Proper integration of algebra and trigonometry enables a student to make a smooth transition from working with algebraic expressions and equalities to working with trigonometric expressions and equalities. The comprehensive presentation of coordinate geometry also serves as an effective means of integrating intermediate algebra and plane trigonometry. This is accomplished by emphasizing the fundamental ideas underlying the graphs of linear functions, quadratic functions and trigonometric functions.
Algebra II is a core curriculum class in either 10th or 11th grade and also an elective for 10th graders who did not take Algebra I in the 8th grade but wish to take Calculus in their senior year.
Arabic
Students can elect to take a foreign language in 9th–12th grades. Foreign languages other than Hebrew...
are elective offerings and are selected based on student interest and enrollment. All foreign language courses emphasize listening and reading comprehension, mastery of the written word, and active self-expression through the study of prose, poetry, dialogues and expository pieces. In addition, we strive to expose students to cultures associated with the languages they have chosen to study.
AP Studio Art
AP Studio Art requires an exceptional art student to assemble a portfolio of 40 works in various media.
Students may earn college credit for this course, based upon portfolio review by the administrators of the Advanced Placement Exams develop a portfolio of artwork, demonstrating the individual's thought processes, learning process, and in-depth exploration of subject matter. The focus is not only on the use of art elements and craftsmanship, but on the integration of the growth of the personality of the student with the exploration of creativity within the student's choice of subject matter. Toward this end, students utilize in-class working time as well as peer and class critiques to develop an artist's eye and skill with regard to color, value and form in various genres and techniques.
Studio Art
The objective of the Studio Art elective is for the student to develop a portfolio of artwork demonstrating the individual's thought processes, learning process, and in-depth exploration of subject matter ...
The focus is not only on the use of art elements and craftsmanship, but on the integration of the growth of the personality of the student with the exploration of creativity within the student's choice of subject matter. Toward this end, students utilize in-class working time as well as peer and class critiques to develop an artist's eye and skill with regard to color, value and form in various genres and techniques.
ASL (American Sign Language)
Students can elect to take a foreign language in 9th–12th grades. Foreign languages other than Hebrew...
are elective offerings and are selected based on student interest and enrollment. All foreign language courses emphasize listening and reading comprehension, mastery of the written word, and active self-expression through the study of prose, poetry, dialogues and expository pieces. In addition, we strive to expose students to cultures associated with the languages they have chosen to study.
Basketball and Soccer
Both the fundamentals of the sport plus skill building ...
will be taught by Coach Jen. The class is open to both beginners and team members and will be fun and challenging for all.
Bible I
The Tanakh curriculum combines both the learning of Humash (September to March) and Navi (March to June) ...
• Humash: Students learn the section of Sefer Bereishit that tells the story of Avraham Avinu. Emphasis is placed on developing analytical reading skills for both peshat and mefarshim.
• Navi: Students learn selections from Melakhim, completing their study of Nevi'im Rishonim. Parallel narratives in Nevi'im Aharonim and Divrei Hayamim are studied where applicable.
Bible II
The Tanakh curriculum combines both the learning of Humash (September to March) and Navi (March to June) ...
• Humash: Selected portions of Sefer Shemot are learned be'iyun, and others are learned in bekiut. Topics include shibud Mitzrayim, yetziat Mitzrayim, matan Torah, and chet ha’egel. Students continue to hone their peshat and parshanut reading skills, focusing especially on the commentary of the Ramban.
• Navi: Selections of Sefer Yeshayahu are studied. Perakim are selected to give the students an understanding of the nature of classical nevuah and of the personality, literary style, and historical context of Yeshayahu. Comparisons are made to nevi'im who lived at the same time as Yeshayahu, such as Amos and Mikha.
Bible III
The Tanakh curriculum combines both the learning of Humash (September to March) and Navi (March to June) ...
• Humash: All of Sefer Bamidbar is learned, in a combination of bekiut and be'iyun study. All narrative sections of the sefer are learned be'iyun. There is extensive use of parshanut, including medieval as well as more recent commentaries.
• Navi: Students learn sections of Sefer Yirmiyahu which give a sense of the mission, personality, goals, and literary style of Yirmiyahu, as well as the time period in which he lived.
Bible IV
The Tanakh curriculum combines both the learning of Humash (September to March) and Navi (March to June) ...
• Humash: Students learn Parshat Bereishit and Sefer Devarim. Emphasis is on developing an understanding of the unique character and structure of this sefer. To this end, the whole sefer is learned in a combination of bekiut and be'iyun study, with thorough use of parshanut.
• Navi: The 12th grade Navi curriculum draws together different Biblical sources that discuss the period of Shivat Tzion. Selections of Haggai, Zeharya, Malakhi and Ezra/Nehemya are studied. Students learn about the history and challenges of Shivat Tzion and the prophetic mission of the neviim of that time.
Biblical Leadership
What makes an effective leader? What skills should a leader of the Jewish people posses? Why did some leaders in Tanakh ...
succeed while others failed? In this course, we will examine the narratives surrounding some of the most famous (and infamous) Jewish leaders in Shoftim, Shmuel and Melachim. We will analyze the different characters' leadership styles and how each one responded to the challenges of their time period. This course will also include guest speakers from modern day Jewish communal leaders and will guide students in recognizing and designing their own leadership styles. By the end of this class, you will have combined high level Tanakh learning with practical take away skills that will make you a better leader both in and out of school.
Biur Tefilah
This class is for anyone who finds Tefilla challenging. Reciting the Tefillot in the siddur...
multiple times a day, every day, can feel rote and devoid of meaning. This course will explore the history and meaning of the texts that we say, and we will discover the relevance and inspiration behind the words compiled by the Anshei Kneset Hagedola.