JCHS Viewbook 2016-17

E N G AG E MI ND S

Supporting the Whole Student

“I LEARNED CONFIDENCE AT JCHS.”

EXP ERI EN T I AL EDUCAT IO N

“THE JCHS EXPERIENCE PREPARED ME FOR COLLEGE, MY CAREER, AND LIFE IN GENERAL.”

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Engaging

AND SHAPING MINDS

SCIENCE JCHS’ hands-on science curriculum teaches students

Our freshman-level Physics course includes over

in laboratory environments, conduct data analysis,

everyday phenomena. This physics-first foundation

to develop and test hypotheses, work collaboratively

100 dynamic labs that help students understand

and draw accurate conclusions. The curriculum also

prepares students to bet ter understand the

implications of contemporary scientific issues.

as well as the complex systems discussed in Biology.

encourages students to explore the ethical and social

conceptual framework presented in Chemistry

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Inspires Our school requires seven year-long science and math courses; 70% of JCHS students elect to take more.

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ENGAGING AND SHAPING MINDS

SCIENCE

MATH JCHS’ math curriculum inspires students through

experiential learning components and exploration

of real-world scenarios relevant to algebra, geometry,

that students do not process math and abstract

thinking concepts at the same rate or in the same ways.

calculus, statistics, and other areas. Our math

Our alumni report that JCHS math courses prepared

course placement options, in recognition of the fact

finance, business, engineering, and other fields.

program offers a variety of at-level and advanced

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them for college math as well as careers in technology,

Elevates

JCHS prepared me for the academic rigor of college. I was able to place out of two math classes thanks to AP Calculus AB, while AP Physics C: Mechanics prepared me for the physics needed to build prototypes for my engineering classes.

— Aviv Delgadillo (‘14). Aviv is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at Northwestern University.

MATH

ENGAGING AND SHAPING MINDS

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JEWISH STUDIES JCHS’ Jewish studies curriculum involves students in

Students learn how to grapple with significant

and thought. The critical thinking, analytical, research,

order to discover their own beliefs and identity.

the richness and diversity of Jewish culture, history,

and writing exercises in each course guide students to

questions and engage in productive discourse in

explore ethics, law, and social justice issues.

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Connects

My favorite class is a tie between AP Physics and Jewish Thought, which are really just two sides of the same coin. Both classes really taught me how to imagine possible realities beyond what I may know or be comfortable with. After we took the AP Physics exam, Ms. Whitbeck taught a unit on relativity, and I remember thinking that I was reading Nietszche, but without the ‘moral burden.’

— Paige Lerman (‘14). Paige is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree at Barnard College.

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ENGAGING AND SHAPING MINDS

JEWISH STUDIES

HUMANITIES JCHS’ humanities curriculum builds students’

Through experiential exercises such as podcasts,

understanding of the rich variety of the human

public speaking activities, and debates, humanities

students learn to effectively conduct, synthesize,

thinkers, confident writers, and informed citizens.

experience, past and present. In humanities courses, evaluate, and present independent research.

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courses support students in becoming sophisticated

Leads Three-quarters of our faculty hold post-graduate degrees, and all of our faculty are passionate about cultivating a culture of college readiness and preparation for life beyond.

HUMANITIES

ENGAGING AND SHAPING MINDS

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HEBREW AND SPANISH JCHS’ Hebrew and Spanish curricula build s tudent s’

We immerse s tudent s in Hebrew and Spanish

each language, allowing s tudent s to confidently

technology, music, film, and popular culture. In

proficienc y with the spoken and writ ten forms of communicate with communities worldwide and thrive in multicultural environment s.

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through creative approaches including improvisation, addition, students of Hebrew enrich their access to modern Israeli societ y and ancient texts.

Strengthens

JCHS prepared me for college in a profound way. I entered college with a solid background in every academic area, study skills that I developed in my classes, and a strong Jewish identity and sense of self that has allowed me to continue to grow in college.

—Tina Geller (‘12). Tina is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology at Northeastern University.

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ENGAGING AND SHAPING MINDS

HEBREW AND SPANISH

VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS JCHS’ arts curriculum encourages students to

the arts, nurture students to realize their own

the creation of original pieces. The breadth of

in three productions per year, our visual ar t

develop artistic literacy and technical skills through our arts program, which encompasses visual,

dramatic, and musical arts, provides students with opportunities comparable to those available at a small liberal arts college.

Our faculty, who are experienced educators

creative vision. Our drama students par ticipate students display more than 100 pieces at our

annual ar ts festival, and our vocal and instrumental ensembles perform throughout the Bay Area.

JCHS’ student ar t productions have been

showcased locally, nationally, and internationally.

and professional artists with active careers in

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Performs

JCHS’ arts program set me up for success in my college life. I learned confidence at JCHS, and I felt comfortable exploring new things because I wasn’t afraid of failing. I’m now a producer for a student theater company, I’m on the theater student council, and I run a festival for undergraduate students.

— Renee Mac Donald (‘13). Renee is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in theater with a specialization in acting at the University of California, Los Angeles.

VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS

ENGAGING AND SHAPING MINDS

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Embracing

THE COMPETITIVE SPIRIT

ATHLETICS JCHS’ athletics program makes par ticipation in

mental focus, and strengthen teamwork. They also

all athletic abilities. Students have opportunities

leadership. Varsity teams compete in the Private School

sports accessible and enjoyable for students of

to compete in three to four sports each trimester.

Our experienced coaches help students to improve skills and performance, build confidence, increase

assist students in building character, resilience, and

Athletic League, comprised of teams from comparably sized Bay Area independent schools.

jchs Plays 75% of our students are active on at least one sports team.

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EMBRACING THE COMPETITIVE SPIRIT

Supporting

THE WHOLE STUDENT

THE FRESHMAN EXPERIENCE

TECHNOLOGY

JCHS provides a unique level of support for

JCHS embraces the use of technology to support

school. During our freshman orientation,

academic research. Our teachers utilize new and

students as they navigate the first year of high students bond with classmates across grades.

Our freshman seminar helps students learn how to build relationships, make healthy decisions,

learning and enhance creativity, collaboration, and emerging technologies, teach digital citizenship, and encourage balance in our fast-paced world.

manage stress, and improve executive functioning, writing, reading, and study skills. Additionally,

each freshman has a weekly one-on-one meeting with the ninth-grade dean.

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Prepares

JCHS couldn’t have been better in its preparation for college and community. It focuses on helping each individual student succeed and strive to ‘think beyond the possible.’ At JCHS, I was able to explore my interests while receiving a state-of-the-art education.

— Beth Magid (‘12). Beth is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in marketing at Case Western Reserve University.

SUPPORTING THE WHOLE STUDENT

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Thinking

GLOBALLY

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

AT JCHS, LEARNING EXTENDS BEYOND THE CLASSROOM.

EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION

JCHS students build authentic connections with those

Throughout the year, students participate in

and international organizations. Over our four-year

campus and throughout the Bay Area. Every fall,

in need through acts of service with local, national,

community outreach program, students learn to serve with compassion and an appreciation of others’

inherent strengths and dignity. They also become

aware of how their own interests and skills can make

a positive dif ference in the community around them.

On average, each student completes 30 hours of community service per year.

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cultural programs and student clubs, both on

our school comes together for a weekend nature retreat. Each spring, our students embark on

educational journeys to destinations including Los Angeles, Zion National Park, Israel, and

New Orleans. Along the way, students build

skills and self-confidence, engage with diverse populations, and discover how to impact the complex and changing world around them.

Emboldens

JCHS gave me a community in which I felt safe to figure out who I was, free of judgment.

It taught me to be curious, to explore, to try new identities, to be bold, and not be afraid.

— Sydney Calander (‘09). Sydney holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Pitzer College, was a Fulbright Fellow after college, and currently works at Netflix.

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THINKING GLOBALLY

Preparing Students

FOR LIFE AFTER JCHS

COLLEGE AND GAP-YEAR ADVISING JCHS students and their families receive extensive resources and suppor t during the personalized college advising process. Our college advisor learns about each student’s interests, explores

colleges that fit each student’s needs, and develops

strategies that allow each student to present herself

or himself most ef fec tively to institutions of higher learning. Additionally, the advisor assists students who have been admit ted to college, but choose

to defer their enrollment for one year to at tend a gap-year program.

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Advances

I’ve just been blown away by how well JCHS prepared me for college. The teachers encouraged critical thinking in every class, forcing you to transcend the surface level of the text or theology and extrapolate, dig deeper, and find alternate meanings.

— Arno Rosenfeld (‘12). Arno is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in political science at the University of British Columbia.

PREPARING STUDENTS FOR LIFE AFTER JCHS

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JCHS students gain admission to a wide variety of outstanding four-year colleges and universities, including all campuses of the University of California system and other selective private colleges, public universities, fine arts, and liberal arts schools across the country.

COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES The following are just some of the institutions to which our students have been accepted:

American University

Harvey Mudd College

Princeton University

Bard College

Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Reed College

Barnard College

Jewish Theological Seminary of America

Rice University

Bates College Boston University Brandeis University University of British Columbia Brown University University of California, Berkeley University of California, Los Angeles California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Johns Hopkins University Kenyon College Lewis and Clark College Macalester College McGill University Massachusetts Institute of Technology University of Miami University of Michigan

Carnegie Mellon University

Middlebury College

University of Chicago

Mount Holyoke College

Columbia University

New York University

Cornell University

Northeastern University

Dartmouth College

Northwestern University

Duke University

Oberlin College

Emory University

University of Pennsylvania

George Washington University

Pitzer College

Georgetown University

Pomona College

Sarah Lawrence College Scripps College Skidmore College Smith College University of Southern California Stanford University Syracuse University Tel Aviv University University of Toronto Tufts University Tulane University Vanderbilt University Vassar College Washington University in St. Louis Wellesley College Wesleyan University