Barrack Academic Brochure

LOVE WHERE YOU LEARN

HONOR • COURAGE • KINDNESS • COMMUNITY

Our innovative approach to education is steeped in history.

As the nation’s first pluralistic Jewish secondary day school, we’re grounded in our past and building toward the future.

Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy prepares students in grades 6-12 to become the next generation of Jewish leaders.

Students benefit from small classes, a supportive advisory program, and strong connections to their classmates and teachers. Our team of educators is devoted to fostering meaningful relationships and nurturing each student’s abilities.

Our challenging dual curriculum combines in-depth critical analysis, experiential learning, and a focus on Jewish values including Honor, Courage, Kindness, and Community.

Students develop a lifelong appreciation of learning, an understanding of their place in history, and a passion to reach their potential. Through timeless Jewish values, Barrack inspires students to become ethical, wise, and responsible adults with a commitment to better the world.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Students learn to make decisions, think critically, and question thoughtfully.

The Robert Saligman Middle School of Barrack Hebrew Academy helps students in grades 6-8 to build self-confidence, navigate greater independence, and develop academic skills in a dynamic, nurturing environment.

Early adolescence is a time of change and opportunity. Recognizing the unique needs, interests, and skills of middle schoolers, Barrack is committed to the development of the whole student.

We are dedicated to helping our students navigate an increasingly complex world. Academic, social, spiritual, and emotional growth are the focal points of our program and co-curricular activities.

Our middle school students gain pride and confidence as they experience successes in class, in our STEAM lab, in small group projects, in clubs, on stage, and on our fields.

Guided by Jewish values, Barrack’s strong academic curriculum inspires students to develop the intellectual and emotional skills that prepare them for a seamless transition to high school.

Academics

Community

Challenging preparatory academic program

Guided by Jewish values

Interdisciplinary language arts and social studies

Faculty advisors who guide social, spiritual, and emotional learning

Integrated thematic science studies

Inclusive b'nai mitzvah program

Leveled math and Hebrew classes

Hesed/Volunteer program

Safe, supportive community

1:6 faculty to student ratio

Jewish Life

Co-Curricular Opportunities

School-wide holiday observances and hands-on experiences

Competitive athletics

Grade-wide Shabbat experiences

Performing, fine arts, and culinary electives

Diverse Shaharit programs (daily morning prayer) Immersive Israel programming and experiences

STEAM and world language electives

15+ student-led clubs Grade level field trips

Middle School Curriculum

6th

Overview CORE

Core

Math

MATH & SCIEnCE

Science

JEWISH STuDIES & ISRAEL

Jewish Studies

LAnGuAGES

Hebrew

Tanakh

World Languages

PHyS ED/ HEALTH & ELECTIVES

Phys Ed/Health

Electives

Interdisciplinary study of a central theme using primary and secondary historical sources, fiction, nonfiction, and poetry; strong focus on writing, reading, and skill building

Roots of Western Civilization discovered through archaeology, ancient history, geography, and literature centered on Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and Rome

Problem-solving strategies, critical thinking, estimation, and mental math skills while introducing the use of technology

Sequence 1: Pre-Algebra 6 Sequence 2: Pre-Algebra Sequence 3: Algebra 1, Part 1

Lab-oriented study with an in-class, project-based approach to learning concepts and making connections with the world

Earth, exploration of Earth's place in the universe

An exploration of Jewish peoplehood, ethics, Jewish life, and classical texts

The transformation of Jewish religion and Jewish peoplehood from biblical to rabbinic times Modern Jewish history: focus on pre-World War II Europe Jewish life cycle: from birth to b'nai mitzvah

A comprehensive approach to studying the Bible as a formative document for the Jewish people through narratives, key vocabulary, literacy, rabbinic, and historical perspectives

Leadership and the beginnings of Jewish peoplehood Introduction to rabbinic commentators Close study of Exodus, numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, and Esther

The Bishil Ha-lvrit curriculum brings Hebrew alive with print and digital media

Multiple levels of Hebrew

World languages selected based on interest

Latin Spanish

Courses and physical activity that maintain students’ physical, mental, and emotional health

Cyber/internet safety, conflict resolution, puberty, body systems, and personal health Seasonal sports and personal fitness

Opportunities to explore interests and passions

Fine Arts, Theater Arts, STEAM, Technology and Coding, Information Skills, and Creative Writing

7th

8th

18th and 19th century American history with an emphasis on the aspirations and achievements of early Americans and the foundations of government using primary documents, secondary documents, and literature including short stories, novels, and poetry

The story of America through the lens of native American, African American, and immigrant history, using primary and secondary documents, literature, and poetry. Exploration of the "American Dream" through the lens of justice and identity; truth and moral contextualism.

Sequence 1: Pre-Algebra 7 Sequence 2: Algebra 1, Part 1 Sequence 3: Algebra 1, Part 2

Sequence 1: Algebra 1, Part 1 Sequence 2: Algebra 1, Part 2 Sequence 3: Geometry

Life science through the study of the diversity of life, processes and functions of a wide variety of organisms, and the interactions between them

Chemical and physical science including the basics of chemistry and physics, focusing on the engineering design process

Personal responsibility and responsibility to others: tzedakah/charity, returning lost objects, honoring parents Modern Jewish history: focus on ghettos and resistance movements Jewish life cycle: exploration of midlife rituals

Ethics of speech and ethics in business Modern Jewish history: the founding of the State of Israel Comparative religion Life cycle: later adulthood and end-of-life issues

Leadership and sovereignty (successful and unsuccessful kings) in Judges, Samuel, Ruth, and Kings

Close readings of Genesis through different approaches and methodologies in Tanakh study

Multiple levels of Hebrew

Multiple levels of Hebrew

Latin Spanish

Latin Spanish

Self-esteem and body image, basic first aid and safety, nutrition, drug education, and environmental health Seasonal sports and personal fitness

Relationships, conflict resolution, postponing sexual involvement (PSI), sexual identity, alcohol, harassment, and disease and disorders Seasonal sports and personal fitness

Fine Arts, Theater Arts, Culinary Arts, STEAM, Technology and Coding, Creative Writing, and Space Simulation

Fine Arts, Culinary Arts, Theater Arts, STEAM, Technology and Coding, Creative Writing, Space Simulation, and Creation of the annual 8th Grade Memory Book

UPPER SCHOOL

Barrack prepares students for college and the world.

We teach students how to think, write, and question.

The study of Jewish texts allows our students to develop essential reading and critical thinking skills.

Barrack's upper school provides a comprehensive college preparatory program infused with timeless Jewish values. We challenge our students to identify their goals and teach them to apply their intellect and values to living a life of impact.

An immersive trimester abroad in the 11th grade at the Alexander Muss High School in Israel enables our students to expand their horizons, deepen their connections, and further their journey as true global citizens.

At Barrack, we encourage students to develop grit, resilience, personal integrity, self-confidence, and a strong moral compass. Barrack students carry an enduring sense of what they’ve inherited from the past and what they bring into the future as emerging adults. Our young adults graduate with the knowledge base and skills to gain wisdom from our traditions long after they leave our campus.

Upper School Curriculum HuMAnITIES

9th

10th

MATH, SCIEnCE & TECHnOLOGy

History*

The global community: world religions, non-Western cultures (including Israel) Globalization and development The Holocaust

Evolution of Western Ideals: Western Civilizations and Jewish history from ancient times to the Renaissance

English*

Telling stories by genre: memoir, short story, epic, novel, poetry, and drama Writing about literature Personal and descriptive writing

Classical and modern literature by theme Analytical and creative writing techniques

Sequence 1: Algebra 1, Part 2 (Regular or Topics) Sequence 2: Geometry (Intensive or Honors) Sequence 3: Algebra II (Honors)

Sequence 1: Geometry (Regular or Topics) Sequence 2: Algebra II (Intensive or Honors) Sequence 3: Elementary Functions (Honors)

Biology Biology (Intensive) Biology (Honors)

Chemistry Chemistry (Intensive) Chemistry (Honors)

Introduction to engineering, systems, control systems, basic electronics, Arduino microcontrollers, CAD design and 3-D printing, coding, data processing, and graph analysis

Biomedical engineering, forces and motion, biomechanics of the human body, the circulatory system, the nervous system, artificial neural networks, bioelectronics, and artificial intelligence

Latin Spanish

Latin Spanish

Introduction to Hebrew through Advanced

Introduction to Hebrew through Advanced

Four movements in the American Jewish community Introduction to Talmud study skills Selected passages on civic discourse and pluralism from Babylonian Talmud

Talmud study skills, year 2: passages from the Talmud and from Maimonides on the sanctity of life, medical ethics, and property ethics Individual ethics projects

Civil discourse Pluralism in American Jewish society The evolution of the Oral Law Pluralism and expressions of Jewish prayer Sha’ar Hadash: entry to Jewish life, Jewish culture, and Jewish thought

Ethics Contemporary moral issues in Israeli society Sha’ar Hadash: entry to Jewish life, Jewish culture, and Jewish thought

Literary genres in the Torah (poetry, law, narrative, prophecy)

Prophets and Prophecy (I-II Samuel, I-II Kings, Jeremiah, Isaiah, selected other prophets) Theology in the Tanakh (Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Job)

3-D Printing and Laser Cutting, Bias in the Media, Creative Writing, Drama, English Study Center, Financial Literacy, Formation of the Torah, Introduction to Coding, Mock Trial, Mosaics, Painting, Rube Goldberg Machines, Sculpting

3-D Printing and Laser Cutting, Bias in the Media, Creative Writing, Drama, English Study Center, Financial Literacy, Formation of the Torah, Introduction to Coding, Mock Trial, Mosaics, Painting, Rube Goldberg Machines, Sculpting

Mental Health and Drug Education Strength and Agility net Sports yoga and Pilates

Sex and Relationships, nutrition and Drivers' Ed Strength and Agility net Sports yoga and Pilates

Math

Science STEAM Institute** (By application)

LAnGuAGES

World Languages**

Hebrew*

JEWISH STuDIES

(CHOOSE OnE OF 3 TRACKS)

Beit Midrash**

Jewish Studies/ Sha’ar Hadash**

Tanakh/Bible**

ELECTIVES & PHyS ED/ HEALTH

Electives

Phys Ed/ Health

TRIMESTER STuDy In ISRAEL (MuSS HIGH SCHOOL)

11th

12th

Emergence of Modernity: European, American, and Jewish history from the Reformation to the 19th century

Democracy and Global Politics: European, American, Israeli, and Jewish history in the 20th century AP Government, AP Psychology

American literature in historical and cultural contexts Analytical and autobiographical writing techniques

The traditional novel, Shakespeare and modernism Creative writing Trimester 2 electives AP Literature

Sequence 1: Algebra II (Regular or Topics) Sequence 2: Elementary Functions (Intensive or Honors) Sequence 3: Calculus (Honors)

Sequence 1: Precalculus (Regular or Intro) Sequence 2: AP Statistics or AP Calculus (AB) Sequence 3: AP Calculus (BC)

Physics Physics (Intensive) Physics (Honors)

Anatomy and Physiology AP Biology, AP Environmental Science, AP Physics, and AP Computer Science

Introduction to the STEAM Research Process

Independent STEAM Research

Latin Spanish

Latin Spanish Spanish (Honors)

Beginner through Advanced

Beginner through Advanced Literature (Honors)

Constructive dialogue and disagreement in the Talmud

Jewish Leadership Initiative (JLI) Rabbinic and modern Jewish perspectives on gender, sexuality and relationships, interreligious dialogue, and Christianity and Islam

Theological issues around reward/punishment, and free will/repentance

Jewish Leadership Initiative (JLI) Electives: Jewish Philosophy, Jewish Literature, Israeli Politics since 1967, Practical Skills for Modern Jewish LIving, Jewish Film, and Talmudic Legends

Theology in the Tanakh (Psalms, Proverbs, Esther, Job)

Jewish Leadership Initiative (JLI) Electives: Jewish Philosophy, Jewish Literature, Israeli Politics since 1967, Practical Skills for Modern Jewish LIving, Jewish Film, and Talmudic Legends

Advanced Art Portfolio Preparation, Coding, Economics, Financial Life, Engineering

Advanced Art Portfolio Preparation, Coding, Economics, Financial Life, Engineering

Basic First Aid, CPR, Healthy Lifestyle Choices Personal Fitness and Athletic Skills

*By Level **Choice of Program

Academics

Community/Jewish Life

Rigorous academic program

Inclusive warm community guided

by Jewish values

Personalized college guidance Robust elective choices STEAM Institute 1:8 faculty to student ratio

Diverse Hesed/Kindness community outreach opportunities Senior Service Project Interfaith partner programs Grade-level Shabbat experiences

Co-Curricular Opportunities

College Guidance

Competitive, championship-level athletics

Two expert college guidance counselors on staff

Award-winning theater program Advanced fine arts and portfolio offerings 30+ Student-led clubs–academic, community and outcomes-based

2021 graduates received 262 offers of admission from 85 colleges and universities 85% admitted to their first-choice

Broad leadership and mentoring opportunities

100% admitted to their top-3 choice

Meaningful experiential learning

Resources for gap year and service programs

College Matriculation for the Classes of 2018–2021 American university Barnard College Binghamton university Boston university Brandeis university Brown university Bryn Mawr College Case Western Reserve university Colgate university College of Charleston Colorado College Community College of Philadelphia Dartmouth College Davidson College Drexel university Elon university Emory university Fashion Institute of Technology Florida International university Franklin & Marshall College George Washington university Hamilton College Hampshire College Haverford College Indiana university at Bloomington Johns Hopkins university Johnson & Wales university (Providence) JTS/Barnard College JTS/Columbia university Kutztown university of Pennsylvania Lehigh university Muhlenberg College new york university northeastern university northwestern university Pennsylvania State university Pomona College Princeton university

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Rhode Island School of Design Rice university Rochester Institute of Technology Rollins College Savannah College of Art & Design Skidmore College Swarthmore College Syracuse university Temple university The College of new Jersey Towson university Tufts university Tulane university university of the Arts university of California-Santa Cruz university of Chicago university of Delaware university of Florida university of Maryland university of Miami university of Michigan university of Pennsylvania university of Pittsburgh university of Rhode Island university of Rochester university of South Carolina university of Texas at Austin university of Vermont university of Wisconsin-Madison Vassar College Vanderbilt university Wake Forest university Washington university in St. Louis Wesleyan university West Chester university yale university yeshiva university

Gap Year Programs Aardvark City year Eretz Hatzvi Hevruta/Hartman Institute Maale Gilboa Orayta Kol Ami Kivunim Midreshet Lindenbaum young Judaea

Standardized Test Scores Class of 2019

Class of 2020

Class of 2021

Average ACT: 28

Average ACT: 30

Average ACT: 30

Middle 50% SAT Range: Critical Reading: 580-680 Math: 580-710

Middle 50% SAT Range: Critical Reading: 610-700 Math: 570-710

Middle 50% SAT Range: Critical Reading: 610-750 Math: 600-750

National Merit Scholarship Program Class of 2019

Class of 2020

Class of 2021

Semi-Finalists: 4 Commended: 2

Semi-Finalist: 1 Commended: 4

Commended: 4

FIND YOUR At Barrack Hebrew Academy, students are involved. In clubs, sports teams, arts programs and theater, students expand their horizons, express themselves creatively, and take on leadership roles.

Beyond the classroom, there is a place for our students to find their passion.

In an environment that both challenges and supports skill development, students test their limits and come to appreciate a whole new level of competency and confidence.

Athletics Active participation in our inclusive, competitive sports program helps students develop resilience, an appreciation of team dynamics, a strong work ethic, and valuesbased sportsmanship.

Our athletic program promotes physical fitness through exercise and conditioning; sportsmanship in both winning and losing situations; teamwork through commitment to peers and coaches; and skill improvement through drill and practice.

POSSIBLE.

More than 75% of our students participate in our athletics program. Barrack’s experienced coaches guide our athletes to reach their potential and honor their efforts and accomplishments.

With 32 sports teams at the varsity, junior varsity, and middle school levels, Barrack student athletes develop strong friendships, teamwork, sportsmanship, and mutual respect.

Baseball Basketball Cross country Golf Lacrosse

Soccer Softball Swimming Tennis Track

Fine Arts Our fine arts program allows students to experiment with a variety of media and explore new ways of expressing themselves. Students develop technical skills and an understanding of the creative process, encouraging them to apply creative solutions to everyday problems.

Clay and Crafting Mosaics Mural Making Painting

Printmaking Sculpting Two arts studios (2-D and 3-D)

Student Clubs Our wide variety of clubs allow students to extend their learning beyond the classroom and help students explore and pursue their interests.

Student Publications Barrack students express their opinions and creativity through writing and art in a number of publications.

Students assume leadership roles as reporters, staff members, photographers, and editors.

L’Shem Shamayim

Cougar Chronicle

A periodic opinion journal featuring the writing of Barrack students, alumni, and faculty that addresses the critical issues that face us as Americans and citizens of the world

A student-run newspaper featuring schoolwide, local, national, and international news as well as editorials, op-eds, crosswords, and interviews

M’et L’et

Gateway

The Barrack yearbook celebrating the year in review, focusing on the graduating class

A literary and art magazine showcasing original student creative work including poetry, photography, short stories, art, and reflective essays

Periodic language and culture publication with pictures, art, and writing published in Hebrew

Citadel

Each club is run by students with a faculty advisor and provides social growth opportunities.

Animal Rights

Israel

Architectural Design

Math Help Center

Book Club Cancer Awareness

Middle School Council

Hesed/Social Action

Mock Trial

DECA (Business Club)

Moot Beit Din

Derech Eretz Council

Photography

Environmental Action

Political Action

Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA)

Robotics

Girls Who Code

Student Association

HEAR (Holocaust Education and Reflection)

ultimate Frisbee

Human Rights

Sports Debate

united nations Club Writing Center For club descriptions, visit jbha.org

Theater Our award-winning theater program gives students the opportunity to enhance their creative thinking and broaden their personal expression.

Students in all grades hone their craft and explore their talents on stage and behind the scenes. Students can choose to perform by acting, singing, and dancing or develop their production skills through stagecraft, choreography, and directing.

Each year, students work as a team to present up to five outstanding productions including musicals, dramas, and one-act plays.

Barrack Repertory Company Middle School Musical Middle School One-Act Play Festival upper School Student-Directed Drama upper School Spring Musical

LOVE WHERE YOU LEARN 272 S. Bryn Mawr Ave., Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 • jbha.org • 610.922.2347 • admissionsteam@jbha.org

All unmasked photos were taken prior to the pandemic, or were captured under strict COVID regulations.

Accredited by Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools (PAIS) and Secondary Schools.

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