Solomon Schechter School of Westchester

A Unique Approach
to Education that
Empowers and Cultivates
Mind, Body, and Spirit
OLOMON SCHECHTER SCHOOL OF
Westchester is a vibrant place with passionate educators dedicated to bringing
academic excellence and a love of Jewish
knowledge and life to students from kindergarten
through the twelfth grade. We explore with our
students what it means to be a good person, a
respected citizen, and an active, caring Jew.
Founded in 1966, Schechter Westchester is a
welcoming and inclusive community, where students
grow into independent young men and women intellectually, artistically, athletically, and ethically.
It is our goal to nurture individuality and
build character—to fully prepare students for the
demands of higher education in a complex world.
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Headmaster’s Welcome
D EAR FRIENDS
or nearly half a century, Solomon Schechter School of Westchester
has provided our students and their families with the joy of
growing and learning Jewishly, the challenge of outstanding
academic programs, vibrant student and faculty relationships,
and a strong partnership between school and home. Schechter
Westchester is a school that values its sense of community, which is
central to the process of education.
Our community is diverse and pluralistic regarding religious
backgrounds, geographic locations, interests, and talents. Our primary goal
has always been to discover the unique abilities of each of our children
and to set them on the path of future success and commitment to the Jewish,
American, and global communities. To do this, our teachers come to know
our students well, caring as much about how we educate as what we teach.
Teachers challenge, inspire, and encourage—setting high standards for
themselves as professionals and for their students.
When you become a parent at Schechter Westchester, you are joining
an educational partnership as well as an exciting Jewish community. Our
parents share our commitment to creating an environment that places equal
value on academic excellence and intellectual inquiry, as well as the development of empathy, compassion, and respect.
We appreciate your interest and invite you to visit our picturesque
campuses and enjoy the many windows into the world of Schechter Westchester.
Come see and learn what makes Solomon Schechter School of Westchester
unlike any other school in the New York metropolitan area.
Sincerely,
Dr. Elliot Spiegel, Headmaster
SOLOMON SCHECHTER SCHOOL OF WESTCHESTER_
An Overview
A UNIQUE AND CHALLENGING
DUAL CURRICULUM
hen Solomon Schechter
School of Westchester
graduated its first high school
class in June 2005, a dream was
realized. Within forty years, the
seed of a small Jewish day school
had blossomed into a K-12 garden.
With more than 900 students in kindergarten through
twelfth grade, Schechter Westchester is nestled on two
idyllic campuses.
Schechter Westchester is a warm and caring
environment where students are invited to think
creatively and analytically from the day they walk
into their kindergarten classroom. Schechter Westchester’s dual curriculum enables students to think
critically in two languages and provides them with a
strong foundation in both secular and Judaic studies.
From academic classes and holiday celebrations to
experiential learning and nurturing of body and soul,
our students gain a breadth and depth of knowledge
and are infused with a strong sense of pride as they
explore their Jewish and American heritage.
The dual language curriculum is integrated so
that students are highly engaged in an academically
rigorous, innovative, and individually attentive
environment, all anchored in a foundation of Jewish
values. “We set very high standards for ourselves and
our students and adhere to a particular point of view
Schechter Westchester’s
total enrollment is
approximately 930 students,
representing 625 families.
Average class size is 15-20.
that is deeply Jewish yet cosmopolitan, traditional
yet progressive,” says Dr. Elliot Spiegel, Headmaster.
What’s more, under three decades of Dr. Spiegel’s
leadership, Schechter Westchester has grown into
more than a highly respected K-12 day school—it is
a community that inspires students and parents
and ensures its vital bond to the larger Jewish world
and Israel. Indeed, Schechter Westchester has quickly
become a magnet for the greater Jewish community
as a center for learning and leadership.
S
A COMPREHENSIVE
PROGRAM OF STUDY
chechter Westchester adheres to a differentiated
instruction model—meeting the needs of students with a wide range of academic levels, learning
styles, interests, and talents. Cooperative learning in
flexible and fluid learning groups is a regular part of
classroom life. Numerous opportunities are provided
for full class instruction and discussion, as well as
independent study.
Employing an interdisciplinary approach,
students take a core curriculum of mathematics,
science, technology, English, social studies, Jewish
history, Judaic studies, Hebrew, Spanish or Latin,
music, art, and health.
To foster creativity, students are offered musical
instruction during and after school, and perform in
the school choir, orchestra, and bands. The High
School winter musical and spring drama engender
artistic expression, collaboration, and imagination.
Students can enroll in visual arts electives and
pursue an authentic art experience via our “Artistin-Residence” program.
Physical education stresses health and fitness
while introducing students to a variety of sports
activities. Schechter Westchester’s athletics program
encourages teamwork and healthy competition.
Though a private school, we participate in the New
SOLOMON SCHECHTER SCHOOL OF WESTCHESTER_
KNOW FROM WHERE YOU COME,
AND TO WHERE YOU ARE GOING.
PIRKEI AVOT 3:1
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s we are taught in Mishlei, ‘teach a child in the
way that he should go, and even when he is old,
he will not depart from it.’ At Schechter Westchester,
we do just that. We prepare our students to take thousands of years of thought, law, and traditions and
apply them to their everyday lives and pursuits,” says
Rabbi-in-Residence Harry Pell. “They learn to value
and serve our community at home and in the world
at large—to be good citizens and active, caring Jews.”
The Judaic studies program emphasizes participation in Jewish life at home, in the synagogue, and
in the community. Our programs accomplish this by:
QCreating life-long learners with
the skills to independently study
religious texts;
QUsing Jewish texts to discuss
and debate moral issues while
developing critical thinking
skills; and
QNurturing a love of Judaism that
allows students to feel part of a
safe and strong community within
an increasingly complex world.
his is a school that will partner with you to
raise a child who will make you extremely
proud,” says Rabbi Shira Leibowitz, Lower School
Principal. “Parents and educators regularly consult
with one another about each child’s progress and
needs, while a cadre of learning specialists watches
over every student to make sure each is meeting his
or her own potential.”
Families appreciate the inclusive community
that flourishes at Schechter Westchester. “Students
and families share life experiences,” says Eric Goldstein, father of three students, one each in Lower,
Middle, and High School. “We celebrate together,
learn together, and grow together.”
O
RESPECTED BY
COLLEGES AND
UNIVERSITIES
ur graduates are a testament to the vision of
the school’s founders. The cognitive skills
that develop in response to our challenging dual
language curriculum give our students the tools to
succeed in college with the confidence to find their
own unique voices, and to navigate life’s journey
with intellectual honesty and moral integrity.
For these reasons, Schechter Westchester and
its students are highly respected among college
admissions officers. Colleges recognize that beyond
excellence in academics, Schechter Westchester
students exhibit strength of character, leadership,
and independent thinking.
SOLOMON SCHECHTER SCHOOL OF WESTCHESTER_
||
Schechter Westchester abides by Conservative
Jewish principles; yet the student body represents
Judaism in its various expressions. Synagogue
membership among our families reflects a diversity
of Jewish practice and affiliation. Although grounded in their Jewish identity, students develop
tolerance and respect for new ideas, for diversity
among peoples, and among Jews themselves.
Our school’s commitment to Israel is strong. A
milestone for our eighth grade and twelfth grade
students is a trip to Israel that brings to life what
“T
A CARING AND
NURTURING
ENVIRONMENT
WHOEVER DOES NOT SEE GOD IN EVERY PL ACE, DOES NOT SEE GOD IN ANY PL ACE—MENACHEM MENDEL OF KOTSK
“A
A STRONG JEWISH IDENTITY
AND L OVE OF ISRAEL
they have learned in the classroom. The eighth
grade spends two weeks studying and experiencing
the sights and sounds of Israel. The twelfth grade,
in a unique opportunity for high school seniors,
travels and studies for two months in Poland and
Israel, journeying from the darkness of the ghettos
and concentration camps of Poland to the light and
promise of Israel.
||
York State public high school league and at statelevel competitions, providing a greater challenge for
our athletes, as evidenced by the many trophies on
display outside the Upper School gym.
The Lower School
chechter Westchester’s Lower School
is unique in providing the intimacy
of a small, nurturing community
with the immeasurable benefits of a
superb, well-established private school.
“We offer the excellence of twentyfirst century educational innovations
within the context of the values and substance of
a three-thousand-year-old Jewish tradition,” says
Lower School Principal, Rabbi Shira Leibowitz.
Our school prides itself on knowing our students well and meeting their diverse needs. With
small classes and two teachers in every classroom,
students receive an enormous amount of individualized attention. Learning specialists support students
in areas of challenge, both in an acclaimed resource
Schechter Westchester’s Chess Team
triumphed over all other teams in the
U.S., winning the K–9 SuperNationals
Chess Championship in 2009.
room and within the classrooms themselves. Educators with expertise in gifted education and school-wide
enrichment nurture students in areas of strength
and interest.
Committed to providing a superior Jewish,
values-based education, we are also dedicated to
ensuring that the excellence in our general studies
program is never compromised. Developing critical
thought, independent thinking, and research and
analysis skills are central to our curriculum. Students are provided with an education incorporating
superior instructional and curricular practices.
Nurturing deep, enduring Jewish and universal
values is at our core. Guided by Torah, Jewish
tradition, and examples of moral role models in
contemporary times and throughout history, we
interweave the skills and expectations of behaving
with integrity, generosity, altruism, and compassion.
Weekly social skills classes are combined with
consistent, on-going participation in meaningful
child-centered social action activities.
Joy in being Jewish is palpable. Energetic singing and poignant conversations mark the beginning
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THE LESSONS OF YOUTH
ARE NOT EASILY FORGOTTEN.
SHABBAT 21B
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SOLOMON SCHECHTER SCHOOL OF WESTCHESTER_
A WISE MAN’S QUESTION CONTAINS HALF THE ANSWER—SOLOMON IBN GABI ROL
Schechter Westchester
welcomes applicants from public
and private schools at every grade
level, including those with no prior
Hebrew day school background;
our unique Hebrew Ulpan
curriculum addresses the needs
of students at all levels.
||
of each day as children pray together in community.
Holidays are times of celebration and students live
the Jewish calendar as they excitedly anticipate the
approach of each cultural and religious event. The
pluralistic religious practice of our families is embraced
by the school and community. American celebrations
such as Thanksgiving, Martin Luther King Day, and
Memorial Day are also significant occasions for
reflection, celebration, and commemoration. Yearly
grade-wide milestone assemblies enable our students
to demonstrate with pride their deep learning.
Located on an idyllic, twenty-three acre campus, we enjoy four single-story buildings, park-like
grounds, two engaging playgrounds—one of which
has received national recognition for its quality and
design—open playing fields, and gardens.
Students thrive as they participate in specialty
classes in physical education, art, music,
library, and technology. Visits to our newly renovated state-of-the-art science lab,
with our science enrichment specialist, are
integral to our science curriculum. Quality
instruction in media, research, and technology is supported by regular participation
in our beautiful library and large computer
lab. Students benefit from the latest technology within their classrooms with the
help of SMART Boards in each room and
laptops available for use in all classes.
Our program is further enriched as
our Kindergarten, First, and Second Grade
students are taught to play chess by a
recognized chess master. Fifth Grade students can elect to learn an instrument and
join our school band. Students can also
participate in choir, student council, and
the school newspaper. These activities
are supplemented with a range of everevolving programs including gardening,
Israeli dance, book clubs, and more.
As our mission statement proudly
declares, “more than a school, we are a
community.” Students are embraced in
compassionate relationships with their educators
and peers. Parents are encouraged to participate in
our community. Life-long relationships for both
our students and our families are among the most
lasting gifts children and their parents receive.
The Middle School
iddle schoolers happily
anticipate the move from
the intimate Lower School
to the sophisticated, stateof-the-art Upper School
campus, replete with tennis
courts, a cafeteria, and
lush athletic fields. Although middle schoolers share
the campus with high schoolers, they have a dedicated wing, where they can attend classes, socialize
comfortably with their peers, and daven (pray) in
their own Beit Knesset (chapel).
The Middle School is mindful of the maturation
challenges of early adolescence where intellect
flourishes amid an increasingly complex social environment. Academic success is encouraged with a
careful eye on the needs of each individual student.
“We work with every child, preparing him or her to
meet his or her own potential, and to meet the challenges of high school, learning to balance academic
and social demands,” says Middle School Assistant
Principal, Amy Holtzer.
Core areas of study include English, mathematics, social studies, Hebrew and modern Jewish history.
Learning Spanish in seventh and eighth grades is an
option for many middle school students. Building
organization and time management skills is emphasized throughout the middle school years.
Middle school students develop the abilities to
read and write analytically, develop and conduct
sophisticated science research, apply advanced mathe-
Schechter Westchester has received
the highest accreditation rating from
New York State Association of
Independent Schools (NYSAIS).
matical concepts to real-life situations, make informed
civic decisions, and persuasively present and support
their opinions. Students enter high school with the
skills and knowledge needed to meet the increasingly
demanding challenges of higher education.
Critical thinking is encouraged in classes such as
English where students are first introduced to literary
analysis. “Middle schoolers are open to new ideas
and have the capacity to take on abstract thinking,”
says Dorothy Weiss, a seventh and eighth grade
Middle School English teacher who was a journalist
and holds a masters degree in Bible from the Jewish
Theological Seminary.
Enrichment opportunities during the school
day include the literary magazine, yearbook,
student government, math team, book club, Hebrew
Olympics, writing contests, instrumental music
lessons, and a geography bee. In addition, special
events celebrate the culmination of study units, such
as the sixth grade Greek Festival and the seventh and
eighth grade Science Fair.
Cultivating communication and trust between
parent, teacher, and student is essential to educating
the whole child. Educators work with grade-level
team leaders and learning specialists, giving careful
consideration to every child’s personal and academic
needs. Mentoring groups, transition planning, and
collaboration among teachers are intrinsic to the
mission of knowing and developing each student.
“In order to truly hear and understand, one has to
listen, and at Schechter Westchester we pride ourselves on taking the time to reflect before we react,
especially when a child’s success is at stake,” says
Upper School Principal, Nellie Harris.
The Middle School provides a structure for
social skill-building, fostering “guided freedom”
where students are encouraged to make informed
decisions. Educators often provide Jewish sources for
cues regarding derekh eretz (appropriate behavior).
SOLOMON SCHECHTER SCHOOL OF WESTCHESTER_
TO LEARN AND TO TEACH,
TO OBSERVE AND TO ACT.
PIRKEI AVOT 4:6
SOLOMON SCHECHTER SCHOOL OF WESTCHESTER_
||
he dual curriculum continues to inform an
appreciation of Jewish heritage, and a passion
for learning and building character. “The general
and Judaic studies curricula at Schechter Westchester
prepare students to live fully in two worlds with
their feet firmly planted in each,” explains Joan
Forchheimer, Judaic Studies teacher and Middle
Schechter Westchester
immerses students in a rigorous
dual curriculum, providing greater
intellectual challenge. This
requires more teachers and
greater academic support within
a bilingual environment.
LEARNING IN OLD AGE IS LIKE WRITING ON SAND; LEARNING IN YOUTH IS LIKE ENGRAVING ON STONE—SOLOMON IBN GABI ROL
T
JUDAIC STUDIES :
T HE BAR /BAT MITZVAH Y EARS
||
Middle School academics are complimented by
extracurricular opportunities such as sports, (many
Middle Schoolers compete on interscholastic teams),
bands, choir, musicals and dramas, “Art Attack,”
chess club, and art exhibitions. Field trips and community service develop compassion and promote
teamwork. Middle school students are becoming
well-rounded adolescents in a modern Jewish world.
Civic responsibilities to the school, local, and global
communities are woven into the fabric of daily life.
Donating gently used shoes, visiting the elderly, and
providing meals for the homeless are as essential to a
student’s maturity as classroom learning. Questioning why things are, thinking about how things might
be, and working toward change insures that students
develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to become capable, active, and enthusiastic members of their communities.
School team leader. “Our
students are secure in their
Jewish identity. They approach
the world with pride and
self-confidence.”
Jewish education broadens
in the Middle School with a
deeper study of the Tanach
(Bible) and related commentaries
and includes communal morning prayers in the Beit Knesset
(chapel). Students lead morning
prayer services, especially meaningful when a peer is celebrating
a bar or bat mitzvah. The Judaic
studies program combines mastering ancient Hebrew
and Aramaic texts as well as modern Hebrew. Hebrew language classes are assigned based on levels of
proficiency, and support both religious learning and
language acquisition.
The highlight of the Middle School experience is the eighth grade two-week trip to Israel.
From Jerusalem to Tel Aviv to Masada and the
Golan Heights, the Israel trip brings to life the
Middle School’s Judaic classroom study. Students
experience firsthand the religious, cultural, and
historical connection to Eretz Yisrael (the land
of Israel) and develop an appreciation of its more
than three-thousand-year history and thriving, modern culture. This life-altering journey solidifies the
creation of community that is so inextricably bound
to Jewish life and study.
The High School
raduating its pioneer class in
June 2005, the High School is
shaped as much by seasoned
professionals as it is by students.
Embracing an innovative and
forward-thinking approach to
learning, the High School promotes independent thinking while continuing the
tradition of academic rigor and excellence cultivated
in the Lower and Middle Schools.
Whether it is in discussing how the Torah and
rabbinic texts interpret the issue of the rebellious
child, or learning how scientific experimentation
led to the quantum mechanical model of the atom,
high schoolers internalize the critical analysis and
scholarship that Schechter Westchester’s dual education curriculum demands.
High schoolers daven (pray) in the Beit Knesset
(chapel) every morning. Upon graduation, students
have the experience and skills to undertake leadership roles in any minyan (quorum). The study of
classic Jewish texts, rabbinic commentary, and contemporary interpretations grows in intensity. In
addition to honing translation and analytical skills,
students debate ethical and moral issues, explore
their own spirituality, and grapple with their understanding of social justice and action.
BREADTH OF OPPORTUNITY AND
RIGOROUS SCHOLARSHIP
C
omprehensive and challenging courses are
offered in mathematics, physical and natural
sciences, English, history, Spanish or Latin, Hebrew,
Arabic, and Judaic studies. Honors levels are also
offered for those who are prepared to meet
significant challenges.
“The curriculum in our High School focuses on
in-depth study,” says Richard Gross, English Department Chair. “The ninth and tenth grades do inten-
Schechter Westchester received
the Shazar Prize, the top
international prize given by the
State of Israel in recognition of
excellence in Jewish education.
sive writing, while the older grades take electives that
allow a thorough study of writers and subject matter,
such as French drama and 20th century literature.”
By integrating course material across subjects, students discover how science, literature, historical events,
and the arts gave voice to the modern experience.
The intimacy of small classes allows for individualized attention and experimentation. “The close
relationship between students and teachers and our
challenging college-level electives—in forensics and
environmental science, astronomy, anatomy, and
physiology—provide an exciting and rigorous education that prepares students for college and beyond,”
says Vivian Nadasdi, science department chair.
Opportunities in art and music abound in the
High School. Instrumental and choral ensembles
perform a variety of styles, from classical and Israeli
folk and pop, to rock, jazz, and hip hop. Full-scale
musical and dramatic productions, open to all
students, are also an integral part of the Schechter
Westchester experience. Offerings in the visual arts
span a wide range from painting and ceramics to
digital photography and cartooning. At the heart
of the visual arts experience is our innovative
and unconventional year-long “Artist-in-Residence”
program, which enables and motivates students to
follow their passion in the arts and gives all students
the entrée into the world and mind of an artist.
Experiencing the arts at Schechter Westchester
exposes students to the value of multiple intelligences and builds respect for the creative thinker.
SOLOMON SCHECHTER SCHOOL OF WESTCHESTER_
TEACH A CHILD IN THE WAY THAT
HE SHOULD GO, AND EVEN WHEN HE IS OLD,
HE WILL NOT DEPART FROM IT.
BOOK OF PROVERBS 22:6
E
LEARNING BEYOND
THE C LASSROOM
ach grade has an annual shabbaton (retreat)
that promotes ruach (spirit), friendship, and
respect among peers who will live and learn together throughout their high school years. A ninth grade
outdoor adventure trip fosters leadership, problem
solving, trust, and empowerment. A tenth grade
chesed (community service) trip to Baltimore and
Washington, D.C., focuses on community service
projects and lobbying members of Congress on the
issues of poverty and homelessness. The eleventh
grade class visits colleges in the Boston area and
tours sites reinforcing that year’s study of U.S.
history and American literature.
The twelfth grade Wise Individualized Senior
Experience (WISE) is a mandatory, independent
study program designed to nurture personal growth
and exploration. With guidance from faculty mentors and outside professionals, students design
projects related to career or personal interests.
Electives and clubs are abundant and wideranging. The school’s intimacy, size, nurturing faculty,
and openness to new ideas allow greater participation and opportunity for all students. Many of
these offerings are student led, allowing for personal
THE LION’S ROAR,
THE AWARD-WINNING
STUDENT NEWSPAPER
BUSINESS CLUB
CHESS
DEBATE
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY
COOKING
FILM PRODUCTION
ISRAELI HISTORY
MATH TEAM
ROCKETRY
THE ENVIRONMENTAL CLUB
FREE THE CHILDREN
SAVE DARFUR
KOL NOAR, A HEBREW MAGAZINE
MOCK TRIAL
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
KIDS AGAINST CANCER
TRAVEL TO TEACH
YOUNG DEMOCRATS
YOUNG REPUBLICANS
MODEL UNITED NATIONS
STUDENT GOVERNMENT
Schechter Westchester students perform at least
forty hours per year in the service of tikkum olam
(repairing the world). “Service to others is an
inherent part of a Schechter Westchester education,
teaching menschlachkite (being a good person) and
galvanizing our students to be agents of change in
their communities,” says Eric Bassin, High School
assistant principal.
T
ADVISORY AND
C OLLEGE GUIDANCE
he advisory program is designed as an opportunity for students to build skills in self-advocacy
and self-awareness. Within a nurturing small group
headed by a teacher or grade-level dean, students
meet regularly to openly discuss issues ranging from
coursework demands to relationships with teachers,
to moral and ethical challenges.
|| AND, ABOVE ALL, REMEMBER, BUILD YOUR LIFE AS IF IT WERE A WORK OF ART—ABRAHAM JOSHUA HESCHEL ||
Schechter Westchester’s Mock Trial
team consistently performs in the top
tier of the New York State Bar
Association’s Mock Trial competition.
discovery and pursuit of passions, while affording
leadership development. A selected list includes:
||
IF YOU WANT THE PRESENT TO BE DIFFERENT FROM THE PAST, STUDY THE PAST—BARUCH SPI NOZA
||
“Advisory creates space in time in which students
can process their experience as teenagers, high school
students, and citizens of the world,” says Nellie Harris,
Upper School principal. “We value their opinions and
encourage them to express what’s on their minds.”
The College Counseling component provided
at Schechter Westchester is a collaborative effort of
students, parents, teachers, and deans under the
direction of highly respected college advisors and a
model college counseling program.
Director of College Counseling Barbara Sarullo
reiterates to both students and parents that “the
goal is for students to find the right fit in college
placement: schools that fulfill a student’s aspirations, provide the appropriate environment for each
student to grow and flourish, and are consistent
with individual interests and accomplishments.”
Although the junior year marks the official start of
the college search process, college counseling begins
long before; a student’s progress in a solid academic
program and involvement in appropriate extracurricular activities lay the foundation for successful
college admissions decisions.
Schechter Westchester High School is proud of
its outstanding college admittance, particularly given
its position as a relatively new institution in an
increasingly competitive environment. With our
support, our graduates select colleges and universities
that enable them to maximize their growth, both
academically and personally. Twenty-two percent of
our students who applied to Ivy League schools have
been admitted, as compared to an average admit rate
at these schools of twelve percent. Our students
report that Schechter Westchester’s dual curriculum
and extra-curricular programming more than
prepare them for a successful college experience.
T
SENIOR YEAR
POLAND /ISRAEL EXPERIENCE
he highlight of the senior year is two months of
study and travel in Israel, with the first week
spent in Poland. Students explore the lost Jewish
communities of Poland and get acquainted with
members of that community’s recent revival.
Known as the Lev V’Nefesh (Heart and Soul)
experience, students journey from the darkness of
the ghettos and concentration camps in Poland to
an empowering educational program throughout
Israel, where they experience firsthand the country’s
history, culture, and language, crystallizing their
love of Judaism and Eretz Yisrael (land of Israel).
Graduate Paul Schulman ’05 wrote of the power
of visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau:
“To see where my grandmother and others suffered made it much more meaningful that we had
the senior class standing proudly in a place where
Nazis tried to destroy our entire people. It was so
important to see what we went through, and how
far we’ve come, and how strong we are today.”
It is the camaraderie, felt so intensely at the
culmination of a Schechter Westchester education,
that is intrinsic to a student’s experience at our school.
Developing students’ strong sense of self and pride in
their Jewish identity, along with the wealth of knowledge accumulated, enables them to navigate the
complex world they have inherited. Community,
connection, and life-long friendships follow our
graduates long after they have left our hallways.
Schechter Westchester
graduates attend colleges
and universities rated by
Barron’s as the most selective
in the country, including
Amherst, Bard, Barnard,
Brandeis, Brown, Bryn Mawr,
Carnegie Mellon, Cornell,
Dartmouth, Duke, Emory,
Harvard, McGill, Middlebury,
Northwestern, Oberlin, University
of Pennsylvania, Reed, Smith,
Tufts, Tulane, Vanderbilt, Vassar,
Wellesley, Wesleyan, Yeshiva.
SOLOMON SCHECHTER SCHOOL OF WESTCHESTER_
||
KEEPING THE BODY HEALTHY IS PART OF SERVING GOD—RAMBAM (MAIMONIDES)
||
Athletics
he athletics program at Schechter
Westchester is guided first and foremost by the school’s inclusive approach,
stressing sportsmanship while providing the
challenges of healthy competition.
“There’s something for everyone in K through
12,” says Richard Silverstein, athletic director. “Each trimester, students experience a sport or
fitness activity that they can then take with them to
the collegiate level.”
Physical education at Schechter Westchester promotes self-confidence and teamwork while instilling
positive habits for an active lifestyle. Gym classes
and after-school intramurals cover a wide range
of sports. Middle schoolers in seventh and eighth
grades can join a number of interscholastic teams
over the course of a year. Girls and boys compete
in soccer, volleyball, tennis, basketball, softball,
baseball, skiing, and track & field. High schoolers
play on competitive sports teams or join the
“Fitness for Life” program. Students choose among
electives such as mountain climbing, yoga, skiing,
weight training, karate, dance, and self-defense.
Regarded as one of the top athletic programs in
the state, our forty-three high school and middle
school teams participate in the New York State
Public High School Athletics Association League.
They play against formidable rivals, such as
Schechter Westchester directs
an extensive athletic program.
Our teams compete in the
New York State Public High School
Association. We have several “all
state” level and college bound
athletes, and our teams consistently
advance to state-level competitions.
Ardsley Middle School and Rye Neck, Valhalla, and
Alexander Hamilton High Schools, and compete in
eleven sports: volleyball, soccer, tennis, cross country, basketball, skiing, bowling, baseball, softball,
track & field, and golf.
Schechter Westchester proudly displays a
multitude of trophies and plaques in the gym lobby.
Schechter Westchester won the National Chess
Championship in 2009 and continues to win
national, state, and local competitions. Other varsity
championships include Girls’ Tennis and Soccer,
and Boys’ Tennis. The Boys’ Varsity Baseball team is
a leader in sectional and regional competitions.
Each year Schechter Westchester athletes are named
All State Athletes for outstanding performance and
good sportsmanship.
SOLOMON SCHECHTER SCHOOL OF WESTCHESTER_
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A MUSICIAN MUST MAKE MUSIC, AN ARTIST MUST PAINT, A POET MUST WRITE—ABRAHAM MASLOW
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The Arts
urturing student creativity,
innovation, and imagination
through the arts is a vital
component of education at
Schechter Westchester. Whether
it’s the annual Lower School
play, the Middle School musical revue, Bits of Broadway, or the High School’s debut
of the drama Shayna Maidel, Schechter Westchester
places a high value on cultivating and developing creative expression. Music, the performing arts, and the
visual arts are integrated within the larger general and
Judaic curricula.
M
MUSIC
usic echoes in the hallways, from the music
room to the Beit Knesset to the lunchroom,
and it’s not just klezmer. Every style, from classical and
jazz to folk and rock, is practiced and performed.
“In the Lower School, music teaches the science
of sound; it reinforces classroom lessons in
the humanities and brings children closer to
Jewish tradition,” says Amichai Margolis, the
Lower School music teacher. Students learn
Hebrew and English songs as
holidays approach. Lessons are
offered in many instruments
such as saxophone, trumpet,
flute, clarinet, and trombone.
The Upper School music
curriculum deepens the students’
abilities, knowledge, and appreciation of music. Under the stewardship of Dror Ben-Gur, a member
of the Israel Philharmonic, with
Middle School music teacher and
professional musician, Matthew
Green, students explore the offerings of music composition, digital
recording, musical arrangement, and the basics of
music theory, history, and instrumental techniques. As students develop a commitment to the
highest musical standards, they are inspired to
delve deeper into the study of music.
Four high school bands perform at various levels.
It’s not at all unusual to walk into the cafeteria at lunch
time and hear our musicians jamming in front of their
peers. With seven to eight musicians in each group
and different electives offered each trimester—Duke
Ellington, the Beatles, klezmer and jazz, to name a
few—many opportunities exist for young musicians
to find their own rhythm. The ensembles perform on
holidays, during the Festival of the Arts, at ceremonies
and grade assemblies, at nursing homes and synagogues, and on many occasions in the community.
F
PERFORMING ARTS
rom full length, large-scale musicals to riveting
dramas, students at both the Upper and Lower
Schools are given opportunities to perform in
musicals including Oklahoma, The Wizard of Oz,
Peter Pan, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor
Dream Coat, and Guys and Dolls, as well as intense
dramatic pieces such as “Anne Frank and Me.”
Teachers nurture and cultivate each student’s talent
and strive to create community and cooperation
within the group.
Throughout the year, Middle and High School
choruses sing a diverse collection of secular and
spiritual songs, in English and Hebrew. The High
School dance program offers high-energy electives
such as hip hop, jazz, modern dance, ballroom
dance, and cardio-ballet, a combination of ballet
barre techniques and endurance training. Each
year students write and perform their own works
to commemorate Yom HaShoah (Holocaust
Remembrance Day), Yom HaZikaron (Israel’s
Memorial Day) and Yom Ha’atzmaut (Israel
Independence Day). Dramatic readings, poetry,
and interpretations are highlights of our Martin
Luther King, Jr. Day, Thanksgiving, and Memorial Day assemblies.
S
VISUAL ARTS
chechter Westchester’s strong support for the
arts extends from easel to kiln, and most media
in between. In the early grades, children explore
different materials and methods: watercolors, printmaking, collage, wire sculpture, murals, and more.
Our “Learning to Look” program in the Lower
School is unique in that it engages parent volunteers,
some of whom are artists in their own right, to teach
art history to children in the classroom. Van Gogh,
Picasso, Miro, and Chagall come alive through trips
to museums and workshops with local artists. Lower
School students create Judaica for the holidays while
Middle School interdisciplinary art projects include
constructing replicas of ancient Greek structures
and Chinese brush art to compliment the students’
study of ancient world history.
In High School, students choose from a wide
range of art electives such as ceramics, painting,
cartooning, drawing, jewelry making, and needlepoint. In response to the popularity and increasing
use of technology in creating art, Schechter Westchester now offers a popular elective in digital art
and photography. Our unique “Artist-in-Residence”
program gives students an up-close and personal
view into the mind of an artist. The arts at Schechter Westchester teach students the value of multiple
intelligences and creative expression.
SOLOMON SCHECHTER SCHOOL OF WESTCHESTER_
Technology
||
The fourth grade science unit on weather is
enhanced by studying the FEMA website. Other fun,
educational sites are used to enhance social studies,
math, reading, and writing, as well as current events.
During recess, students can opt to work on the Lower
School newsletter, The Schechter Times, learning how
to design, illustrate, and lay out copy electronically.
In the Middle School, sixth graders deconstruct
a computer and examine its components. “They
acquire a working vocabulary, a clear understanding
of the technology, and its role in their daily lives,”
says Marcia Innis, Middle School technology teacher.
“We emphasize computer ethics, such as copyright
protections and plagiarism, and the proper recycling
of e-waste.” As confidence and proficiency grow,
technical skills become intuitive. Students produce
multimedia presentations using PowerPoint, navigate
the Internet, submit homework via Google Docs
and, in seventh grade, begin using Photoshop.
In High School, students learn the intricacies
of responsible online research including access to
subscription based databases. They are required to do
presentations using SMART Boards, PowerPoint,
and other related software, thereby giving them the
experience they will need for real world applications.
Schechter Westchester’s online community
allows students, faculty, and administrators to share
ideas and work, and to post assignments. In addition,
a personalized, password-protected parent portal
offers access to schedules, events, and school news.
ALL RELIGIONS, ARTS AND SCIENCES ARE BRANCHES OF THE SAME TREE—ALBE RT EI NSTEI N
Schechter Westchester is
committed to green technology:
in 2009 we became the first
school in New York state to
install solar panels.
||
chechter Westchester is housed on two
state-of-the-art, fully wireless campuses.
Students are prepared to safely and
effectively use technology to augment
their studies and successfully participate in an increasingly complex digital
world. Throughout their school years,
students advance their skills in keyboarding, word
processing, spreadsheets, graphics, web design, and
Internet research in our computer labs, equipped
with the latest software. The use of computers and
SMART Boards throughout the school provides the
seamless integration of technology with classroom
instruction and learning.
Under the direction of Rita Kaufman, technology specialist and a veteran teacher, children in
the Lower School learn how to get comfortable with
the computer. Kindergarteners log on and access
programs like “Kid Pix,” a drawing program that
encourages creativity and familiarity with shapes,
colors, and basic reading and writing skills. Children
in grades one through five learn fundamental skills
such as keyboarding, word processing, PowerPoint,
Internet safety, and research, all in coordination with
our general and Judaic studies curricula.
Student Services
||
WHO IS WISE? ONE WHO LEARNS FROM ALL PEOPLE—SH IMON BEN ZOMA
||
ACADEMIC
SUPPORT
t Schechter Westchester academic support is delivered by a warm and caring
team of education specialists. This
support system is at the heart of
what makes Schechter Westchester
unique. We take a whole child
approach to children with
learning differences. Everyone gets involved in fostering communication and understanding.
“Parents, classroom teachers, learning specialists,
school psychologists, and grade-level deans come
together to support children,” explains Ilene Davison,
director of special education at the Lower School.
“We encourage parents to recognize talents as much
as they do areas of concern, and we reassure them
that we have the staff and facilities to work with
students who have various language, processing, and
attention issues.”
Schechter Westchester’s intensive program focuses
on personal learning styles while keeping students in
mainstreamed classrooms. Guided by individualized
education plans, children receive assistance in writing, time-management, and organization, indicative
of our school’s progressive approach to learning.
Coordination among the school’s professionals
ensures a smooth transition as students progress
from Lower to Middle to High School. At the
Middle and High School levels, grade-level deans
meet regularly with students to help them navigate
issues with teachers, manage their time effectively,
and further develop self-advocacy skills. The emphasis is on teaching students how to recognize and
understand their own learning needs and give them
strategies to compensate for challenges and to thrive
in high school, college, and beyond.
E
GUIDANCE COUNSELING AND
EMOTIONAL WELL BEING
motional health is a high priority at Schechter
Westchester, which has a wealth of resources
to foster it.
“There is a doctor of psychology in each division,
available to each and every student. It is comforting for
parents to have someone to call in the unlikely event of
a problem,” says Michelle Jasper-Brody, psychologist
for the Middle School.
In the Lower School, for example, psychologist
Wendy Haber opens her office at lunchtime for
impromptu, drop-in conversations with small groups
of students or individual children. Psychologists and
grade-level deans work very hard to be “just someone
kids can talk to,” Dr. Haber says. “We want students
to become familiar with counselors so that later in
school and in life they will be able to ask for help when
they need it.”
An advisory program for students in High
School cultivates and enhances peer and adult
relationships. These groups delve into world issues,
identity building, moral issues and, in the eleventh
grade, the college search process. Groups consisting
of eight to fifteen students and an adult advisor from
the school’s faculty or administration meet regularly
throughout the year.
“What’s special at Schechter Westchester,” says
Elisha Andron, guidance director for the High School,
“is that students always have an adult to talk to, and
they often take advantage of that accessibility. Problems require conversations and thoughtful solutions.”
Schechter Westchester initiated
and hosts Westchester county’s
annual Jewish college fair.
SOLOMON SCHECHTER SCHOOL OF WESTCHESTER_
Admissions &
Financial Aid
ince 1966 Schechter Westchester has
welcomed students and families
committed to the values and practices
that are at the core of our school
community: the pursuit of excellence,
the joy of achievement, the importance of Jewish tradition and ritual, and
pride in America and democracy. We are open to
new ideas and delight in our families’ involvement in
our school, in Israel, and in tikkun olam (repairing
the world). We seek students who make active and
positive contributions to the community, and we
work together to challenge and support our students
in every venue: in the classroom, in tefilah (prayer),
Schechter Westchester provides
tuition assistance to over one third
of our students, consistent with our
value system of providing a Jewish
day school education to all who
seek it and qualify for entry.
on the athletic field, on the stage, in advisory groups,
and on class trips and community service projects.
Tuition assistance is available, confidentiality
is ensured, and admissions decisions are made
without regard to financial need. Schechter
Westchester is committed to
enrolling students who will
contribute to and gain the most
from our school. We currently
award tuition assistance to
approximately one third of our
students. Tuition grants are
offered on the basis of demonstrated financial need. The
entire process of applying for
and receiving tuition assistance
is kept strictly confidential.
The faculty, staff, and students of Schechter Westchester
share the goal of producing
tomorrow’s Jewish leaders. We
deliver an exceptional education while building a student
body instilled with Jewish and
American values that will
benefit not only themselves
but the world around them.
FROM THE NEW
ENGLAND THRUWAY/
ROUTE 95: North to Exit
DIRECTIONS
TO THE
LOWER SCHOOL
CAMPUS
30 Dellwood Road,
White Plains, NY 10605
18B (Mamaroneck Avenue,
White Plains). Follow Mamaroneck Avenue North, passing
office buildings, Nabel’s
Nursery and Rosedale Avenue
on the right. Make a right turn
onto Carrigan Avenue. Follow
Carrigan (a long, winding
road) to Hubbard Drive, and
make a left on Hubbard. Take
Hubbard to Morgan Place and
make a right turn on Morgan.
Go one block to stop sign at
Dellwood Road. Make a left
turn on Dellwood Road, and
the school will be directly in
front of you.
FROM THE FROM
HUTCHINSON RIVER
PARKWAY: North to Exit
FROM THE TAPPAN
ZEE BRIDGE: Exit at Exit
8 (New England Highways)
to the Cross Westchester
Expressway (Route 287).
Continue on 287 to Exit 8W.
Bear left after the ramp to
Bloomingdale Road. Continue
on Bloomingdale Road
passing Bloomingdale’s on
the left until Bloomingdale
Road meets Mamaroneck
Avenue. Bear left going
toward Mamaroneck, and
continue to Ridgeway Street
(third light). Make a left turn
on Ridgeway, and proceed
three blocks to Richbell.
Make a right on Richbell
and go to second stop sign
(approximately one mile).
Make a left turn on Dellwood
Road, and the school will be
directly in front of you.
FROM THE GEORGE
WASHINGTON
BRIDGE: Take the Henry
Hudson Parkway North (from
lower level bridge, stay to the
left; from upper level, stay to
the right), which will turn into
the Saw Mill Parkway. After
entering Westchester County,
stay to the right and take the
Cross County Parkway East.
After several miles there will
be a split in the road—stay in
the left or middle lane, and
follow signs to the Hutchinson
River Parkway North. Take
the Hutch to Exit 23N and
follow directions above from
Mamaroneck Avenue (New
England Thruway section).
23N (Mamaroneck Avenue,
White Plains). Follow
directions above from
Mamaroneck Avenue.
FROM THE SPRAIN
BROOK PARKWAY:
DIRECTIONS
TO THE
UPPER SCHOOL
CAMPUS
555 West Hartsdale AvAvenue,
Hartsdale,
NY 10530
enue,
Hartsdale,
NY 10530
Exit Greenburgh/Ardsley.
Go North on Route 100B
(left at the light off the exit).
At the second light, corner
of the Shell station, make a
right onto Route 100A
(West Hartsdale Avenue).
The school is up the hill
on the left.
FROM THE CROSS
WESTCHESTER
EXPRESSWAY (287):
FROM THE GEORGE
WASHINGTON
BRIDGE: Take the Henry
Exit at Hartsdale, Exit 4.
Go south on 100A (Knollwood
Road) for about one mile.
At the fourth traffic light,
you will be facing Mighty Joe
Young Restaurant and a Shell
station. Go straight through
the light and continue on
100A (which now becomes
West Hartsdale Avenue).
The school is up the hill
on the left.
Hudson Parkway North (from
lower level bridge, stay to
the left; from upper level,
stay to the right), which will
turn into the Saw Mill
Parkway. After entering
Westchester County, stay to
the right and take the Cross
County Parkway East. At the
split, stay in the middle or
right lane and take Exit 6 to
the Sprain Brook Parkway
North. Follow the Sprain
Brook Parkway North for
several miles to Exit Greenburgh/ Ardsley. Make a
left at the end of the ramp
onto Route 100B. At the
second light (corner of the
Shell station), make a right
onto Route 100A (same as
West Hartsdale Avenue).
The school is up the hill
on the left.
FROM CENTRAL
AVENUE: At the Four
Corners (Central Avenue
crosses East and West
Hartsdale Avenue, 100A),
go north on 100A for one
mile. After you pass the
traffic light on Secor Road,
the school is located two
blocks up on the right.
SOLOMON SCHECHTER SCHOOL OF WESTCHESTER_
Designed by Jessica Weber Design, Inc. Principal photography by Paul Colliton; Dan Hamerman: pg. 11, pg.25, pg. 31; Alan Zale: pg. 23 [baseball].
Directions
What Our Parents Say
PARENT OF TWO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
“At all academic levels, the bilingual, dual curriculum and rich, rigorous programming
are extremely impressive, making it easy to see why the students develop a love of learning.
We are thrilled that we chose a Schechter Westchester education for our children.”
PARENT OF A MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT
“The benefits my daughter has gained will reverberate throughout her life. Her
confidence has grown substantially and she now has the ability to be a self starter.
The school provided my child with the courage to try new things.”
PARENT OF ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
“The entire Schechter Westchester faculty is truly remarkable. The teachers and
administrators sincerely mean it when they express how great it is to watch their
students grow over the course of their elementary, middle, and high school years.”
PARENT OF A HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE
“My son left for the Senior Poland/Israel Experience as a ‘boy.’ He returned after Lev
V’Nefesh as a young man who has internalized much of the ‘right stuff’ that we want
for our children. We are so thankful.”
PARENTS OF ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS
“Schechter Westchester’s biggest contribution has doubtless been its nourishment
and nurturing of our kids’ neshamas—not only during tefilah, but on the playgrounds
and in the hallways.”
PARENTS OF AN ELEMENTARY STUDENT
“What a success his Schechter Westchester education has been! He has learned to think
critically and formulate his own interpretations. He is looking at evidence and, putting
pieces together, while developing a respectful sense of tradition at the same time.”
PARENTS OF TWO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
“We have found exactly the kind of Jewish education we dreamed of when we chose
to send our children to a Jewish day school. The faculty and staff teach, through their
actions, that being Jewish is truly an honor and a responsibility.”
To learn and to teach, to observe and to act.
Th e s e w o r d s b y R a b b i Yi s h m a e l,
which reflect the essence of our
m i s s i o n , a r e f o u n d i n P i r k e i Av o t.
Th e y a d v i s e u s t o l e a d l i v e s f i l l e d
w i t h l e a r n i n g , t e a c h i n g , p r e s e rvat i o n
o f o u r h e r i t a g e , a n d s o c i a l a c t i o n.
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833(56&+22/&$0386
30 Dellwood Road, White Plains, NY 10605
555 West Hartsdale Avenue, Hartsdale, NY 10530
Phone: (914) 948-3111
Phone: (914) 948-8333
Fax: (914) 948-4356
Fax: (914) 948-7979
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Accredited by the New York State Association of Independent Schools. Affiliated with the Solomon Schechter Day School Association.