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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