Lamplighters Yeshivah, the ground-breaking learning community in Crown Heights, has grown from a dozen students to over 140 students on three campuses in the past 9 years– a home for a Chabad, research-based, child-directed educational model in Crown Heights.
Lamplighters consists of preschool and elementary programs, as well as a Mesivta and teacher training arm. The educational model combines Jewish studies, Chassidus, behavioral science, Montessori methodology in the lower grades and data collection through its “Visible Classroom:” Classes are recorded for observation, training and playback during teacher mentorship meetings to create responsive strategies to propel student growth- fueled by the mandate of “chanoch l’na’ar al pi darko”. Through the “Visible Classroom” and Lamplighters model, they are researching and developing a fully customizable, scalable model of education that is empowering educators and Shluchim world-wide. Next year, Lamplighters plans to expand even further, with open spots in their preschool, elementary, middle school and Mesivta.
The Lamplighters Mesivta, true to the Lamplighters mission, makes a conscious effort to discover every child’s unique talents, places an emphasis on real-life learning, provides a completely personalized academic plan for each student in both Limudei Kodesh and Chol, and fosters openness and honesty with adults in leadership.
To be able to truly individualize every student’s learning, the Mesivta partnered with Altschool, an online personalized learning management platform that allows teachers to upload personalized lessons for each student based on their level and interests, tracks student progress, and most importantly, allows the students a degree of control over their learning that completely shifts their perspective; instead of, “I am being forced to learn”, it has became, “I choose to learn”.
With these systems in place, the Mesivta has made tremendous strides in developing a Yeshiva environment that is both academically challenging, warm and vibrant. The boys truly enjoy their Yeshiva experience and develop the skills to navigate their future.
“What happens when you treat a teenager with absolute love and acceptance?” Rabbi Yehuda Fenton, head of the Lamplighters Mesivta, reflected in his Kivun gala presentation, “you discover that every child has a spark inside of them, that when fanned, produces a roaring, passionate fire to learn, you have boys who will engage in thoughtful and honest conversations about their relationships with G-d”.
For Rabbi Fenton’s full presentation, watch below:
If you are interested in learning more about the Mesivta program, you can join the open house tour this Wednesday, May 22! At the tour, you’ll have the opportunity to see the classrooms, take a deep dive into the model, meet the educational leadership, Mesivta teachers, and current Lamplighters parents. Lamplighters is also hosting open house tours for their preschool, upper girls, and middle school boys classes– please see below for all upcoming open house dates and details.
UPCOMING OPEN HOUSE TOUR DATES:
PRESCHOOL / Boys and girls who will be 3, 4 and 5 by the start of the school year
Wednesday, May 29th | 9:45-10:45a
ELEMENTARY GIRLS / 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th grade girls
Monday, June 3rd | 9:45-10:45am
LOWER BOYS / Kindergarten and 1st grade boys
Wednesday, June 12 | 9:45-10:45am
MIDDLE SCHOOL BOYS / 6th, 7th and 8th grade boys
Tuesday, May 21st | 9:45-10:45am
MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT TRIAL DAY/ 6th, 7th and 8th grade boys
Thursday, May 23rd | 8:00-11:00am
MESIVTA / All grades
Wednesday, May 22nd | 9:45-10:45am
MESIVTA STUDENT TRIAL DAY/ All grades
Thursday, May 23rd | 8:00-1:00pm
Someone hacking the education system. Go Yehuda!!!
Yehuda is amazing! !! He’s so dedicated, thoughtful and passionate. Looking forward to watching the mesivta inspire other schools as well.