This winter has been momentous for a number of excellent Chabad schools. Three schools have completed their accreditation requirements with the Merkos National Accreditation Board (still the only national Jewish accreditation agency in the USA) and Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (the largest and most prestigious accrediting agency in the world).
Research has shown that the proven best way for schools to make significant progress is through undertaking an accreditation protocol. It starts with a very extensive self-study, which takes many months to complete but at the end of the process the school understands itself, its strengths and weaknesses. That is followed by a multi-day visitation by a team of like-minded educational experts and finally the development of a long-term strategic plan.
Typically, schools that are confident in their ability and determined to move in the direction of excellence undertake an accreditation protocol. This year a number of schools have gone through the process and their brief profiles follow:
The Bader Hillel Academy of Milwaukee hosted an accreditation team in December. Hillel is an excellent school which survived near bankruptcy to emerge stronger than ever.
In truth, only Shluchim can be brazen enough to accept the challenge of reviving a community school, that has fallen on hard times. The school had a dwindling student enrollment, and a huge debt that had accumulated over the years of running at a deficit, and a board that had given up. Hillel Academy of Milwaukee, WI was on the verge of closing its doors.
A decade later, the Bader Hillel Academy, now run by Mrs. Devorah Shmotkin as head of school, and Rabbi Mendel Shmotkin as executive director (among his other Shlichus duties,) has doubled its enrollment, has made the school debt-free, and has an excellent record of educational success. The School is now accredited by Merkos NAB, NCPSA, and Middle States of Colleges and Schools.
During a recent accreditation visit, the visitation team noted some of the school’s extraordinary achievements:
Team members observed teachers and students interacting in class through models and varied teaching modalities. “There was an obvious stress on individualization and children were clearly not experiencing any kind of stigma if they were working on a lower track than their friends. The visitors observed auditory, visual, and kinesthetic strategies allowed for the majority of the students to be actively involved in class.
The students feel challenged but not overwhelmed and go about their business with a can-do attitude. They seem to be constantly engaged in learning and do so happily…” There are Smart Boards in every classroom, and there was consistent use of technology. Feelings of enthusiasm and excitement were tangible.”
The visitors walked into a meeting where the principal, assistant principals, and special needs coordinator, in addition to all the teachers of a particular grade, sat and discussed every child, his or her progress, social-emotional development, and challenges. These meetings are held bi-weekly.
The school is bursting at its seams where nearly 150 students have outgrown their well-appointed facilities.
The Yeshiva Schools of Pittsburgh are celebrating their 75th birthday, a very unique milestone for a Jewish day school. The School has provided an outstanding Jewish and general studies education for children through high school in separate facilities for boys and girls. Rabbi Yisroel Rosenfeld who took over the school form the legendary Rabbi Sholom Posner decades ago has guided the school (and the community) successfully since.
Yeshiva Schools has created a school system which serves and represents its community extra-ordinarily. The community is involved, active and committed to the school and the sense of community permeates both school buildings, as was expressed by parents, teachers and students. So naturally, the atmosphere at YS is one of community and belonging, this includes students, faculty and parents alike.
The NAB/MSA visiting was impressed with the quality of instruction in both General and Judaic Studies in both schools. Importantly, the school has a strong base of loyal and dedicated teachers who are willing to step up to the plate. All classroom observations conducted by the team revealed a faculty that were on task with strong classroom management skills (though some stronger than others, especially in the boys’ school). All teachers appeared to be extremely well prepared for their respective lessons. Students were engaged and motivated.
Beth Chana High School of North Miami Beach is completing its third decade as a much-loved community institution that has experienced exponential growth over the past ten years and has seen the need to evolve to meet the changing and varying needs of the community.
In light of this, there was tremendous excitement about the decision of Rabbi Korf and the board of the school to pursue accreditation. A curriculum director was hired to work with the current principal, and a learning coach and counselor were added to staff. Together, the leadership of the school have undergone a rigorous process of self-analysis and begun to craft a template for continued growth and improvement.
The NAB/MSA visitors met with teachers, students, alumni, board members, and parents. Overall, there is much excitement and enthusiasm about the changes that are taking place. Students love coming to school, and they feel that the school cares about them and their well-being.
The school is to be commended for its attempts to fully accommodate the range of abilities among its students. All text-based classes in the Hebrew department are divided according to level of proficiency in Hebrew; the online courses provide opportunity for individualization in the secular department. In addition, the school employs a “learning coach” who works with students and teachers to further accommodate and scaffold students who may be struggling with the intellectual demands of the curriculum. The school also is sensitive to the emotional needs of its students and how mental health influences school success and has a guidance counselor available for further addressing the needs of students.
On deck for a visitation this spring is Desert Torah Academy, in Las Vegas NV and the Hebrew Academy of Tampa Bay FL, the Menachem Mendel Cheder of Seattle WA and a number of early childhood institutions have just started their self-study.
The Merkos Chinuch Office developed the National Accreditation Board nearly 15 years ago and has accredited more than 30 Chabad and non-Chabad schools since. Rabbi Nochem Kaplan is the founding chair of the NAB.
Accreditation will be one of the topics at the 19th annual Kinus haMechanchim to be held on 7th-8th Tammuz June 29th and 30th at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Danbury CT.
