Admissions Brochure

Rochelle Zell Jewish High School

1095 Lake Cook Road • Deerfield, IL 60015 • www.rzjhs.org

learning Our Mission Our mission is to create a culture of academic excellence that inspires and prepares our students to think critically, achieve their full potential, and live Judaism as responsible and involved citizens in the modern world.

Rochelle Zell Jewish High School offers a college preparatory program that combines a rigorous general studies education with a comprehensive Jewish studies education, supplemented by strong athletic and fine arts programs, and numerous extracurricular activities and leadership opportunities. Subject areas are integrated to enable students to experience the secular world from the perspective of Jewish values and practices.

Our curriculum focuses on developing the critical thinking skills that are necessary to excel in all areas of study – from the arts and humanities to the analysis of Talmud. Class lessons provide the tools to access the best of secular and Jewish knowledge and culture and integrate them into productive and meaningful lifestyles.

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Academic Excellence

Rochelle Zell integrates the Jewish Studies curriculum with the sciences, humanities, and the arts. The learning environment emphasizes creativity and critical thinking in both general and Jewish studies classes and the ability to question is embraced and valued.

Students take general studies classes with their grade-level peers. Jewish Studies classes are tracked by Hebrew language level and ability to interpret texts. Rochelle Zell Jewish High School makes Talmud/Torah study accessible to all students, with a track for students coming from a Jewish day school background and a track for those who have attended public schools.

Teachers at Rochelle Zell come to know their students as multi-dimensional human beings. The close relationships that form between them contribute to students’ confidence in their abilities to advocate for themselves and for others, in college and beyond.

Our school has always enjoyed an impressive reputation among educators who respect the school’s commitment to academic excellence. Rochelle Zell Jewish High School prides itself on its distinguished faculty and selects educators who are among the finest in their respective fields. As full partners in the learning process, teachers and students communicate regularly inside and outside the classroom.

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Interscholastic Athletic Offerings Fall Boys Cross-Country Girls Cross-Country Girls Tennis Boys Soccer Girls Volleyball Golf

Winter Boys Basketball Girls Basketball

Spring Girls Soccer Boys Tennis Boys Volleyball Baseball Boys Track & Field Girls Track & Field

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Competitive Spirit Rochelle Zell Jewish High School’s athletic program emphasizes the importance of good character, citizenship, sportsmanship, life skills and a healthy lifestyle. Our program teaches the values of integrity, respect, a strong work ethic and teamwork while giving students of all ability levels an opportunity to participate in high school athletics.

Participation in athletics is an integral aspect of the overall Rochelle Zell Jewish High School experience.

Student-athletes are challenged to strive for excellence, learn self-discipline and attain a strong work ethic that help them succeed in athletics, in the classroom and in the community.

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Creative Thinkers Rochelle Zell Jewish High School is deeply committed to providing students with a comprehensive and wellrounded high school experience, and our Fine, Performing, and Literary Arts program is an integral part of the school’s philosophy and curriculum. Our faculty members are trained professionals who strive to further students’ passion for the arts, help them realize their full artistic potential and cultivate an appreciation for the talents of their peers.

Highlights •

Rochelle Zell Model UN has received the National High School Model UN Conference’s Top Team Award for seven consecutive years at the conference, attended by over 5000 high school students.

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Rochelle Zell musicians and vocalists are members of the Tri-M Music Honor Society, an international music honor society for high school students.

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Rochelle Zell’s yearbook has been named a Jostens’ National Yearbook Program of Excellence.

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Fine, Performing, and Literary Arts Course offerings for the 2021–2022/5782 school year:

Band | Students gain an aesthetic appreciation for music while playing a diverse repertoire. Students are taught music theory with a focus on practical musical skills that can be applied directly to performing and improvisation.

Broadcast-Media Seminar | Students learn design elements and principles using video, text, graphics, sound, and

photography. Students also develop and expand their skills in producing both artistic and commercial videos using DSLR cameras to capture images and video while using Final Cut Pro for video editing.

Computer Science | The computer science program consists of a sequence of courses beginning with the basics

of computer science and computer programming. As students progress, they focus on fundamental topics that include problem solving, design strategies and methodologies, and the ethical and social implications of computing. In their final course, students construct a modern, full-scale computer system - hardware and software - from the ground up.

Dance | The Dance Program gives students the opportunity to express themselves through the art of movement.

Dancers learn technical skills, dance etiquette, terminology, and choreography while being given the freedom to individually develop their art form. Dancers practice elements of ballet, modern dance, and hip hop with an emphasis on performance, execution of movements, skills, and precision.

Debate | This course provides instruction and practice in the art of public speaking. Students practice to compete in

tournaments in Congressional and Lincoln-Douglas Debate events. Students are taught research, case-writing, rebuttals, cross-examination skills, and analytical thinking.

Model UN | Team members gain knowledge about diplomacy and international relations; in addition, they enhance their speaking, negotiating, and writing skills. Model UN students have the opportunity to travel to the National High School Model United Nations conference.

STEAM Innovation Studio | This course offers a set of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math challenges in a student-centered, choice-driven environment. Students progress at their own pace, working alone or with others.

Challenges are based in topics like 3D design and printing, robotics, architecture, virtual reality, animation and more.

Studio Art | Studio artists become familiar with art terms and theory, the work of leading old masters as well as

contemporary artists and trends in the secular art world and in Jewish art. Students experiment with art materials and tools, conduct individual and collaborative research, learn about art ideas and styles, self-assess their artwork and share feedback about each other’s work. Art exhibits and receptions displaying student work are an integral part of the curriculum.

Vocal Ensemble | Students gain a working knowledge of correct vocal technique, tone production, ear training, basic

terminology, musical symbols, and stage presence. The vocal ensemble performs music of varying difficulty and styles, such as musical theater, pop, a cappella, and standard choral literature. We help students develop their musical potential, foster growth in cooperative learning skills, encourage self esteem through the pride of accomplishment, stimulate creativity, promote self-expression, broaden aesthetic appreciation, and help make music a source of enjoyment throughout life.

Yearbook | In this course, students gain skills in one or more of the following areas: page design, advanced publishing techniques, copy writing, editing and photography while producing a creative, innovative yearbook which records school memories and events.

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Senior Israel Experience The Rochelle Zell Senior Israel Experience is the capstone of a student’s Jewish education. Rochelle Zell empowers our students to understand their unique place in the world. Developing a strong and sophisticated love and commitment to Israel is central to our school’s mission. Each year, students return from our Senior Israel Experience and report that the trip was different than any other experience in Israel that they previously had, one that both complements their experiences and education at RZJHS and bonds the class.

In the fall, students study History of Israel. Additionally, there is a seminar following the trip to bridge the experiences in Israel with those that students will experience on American campuses. The Senior Israel Experience is designed in conjunction with our educational partner in Israel, Ramah Israel, to meet the unique educational needs of our students. They provide young Israeli guides who forge a special bond with our students and experienced tour guides who understand our students’ unique background. This educational partnership bridges the strengths and vision of the Israeli and American Jewish communities.

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Jewish in the Modern World Rochelle Zell Jewish High School students become confident navigating the complexity of what it means to be Jewish in the modern world. We provide students with the knowledge, skills, and leadership opportunities they need to participate fully in Jewish life as passionate and committed Jews. Students develop passion and love for Jewish study and Jewish life.

Rochelle Zell inspires a reverence for and critical understanding of Torah. The rich Jewish studies curriculum includes intensive studies of Talmud, Tanach, Jewish thought and Jewish history. Daily tefillah provides students with an opportunity to serve as shelichei tzibur (prayer leaders), to offer divrei Torah (brief discourses on the Torah), and to develop a personal relationship with prayer.

Our calendar is built around the rhythm of Jewish life and the school year revolves around the Jewish calendar.

Throughout the course of the year, students and faculty observe religious celebrations as a community so that students learn to approach life with a love and reverence for Shabbat and the Jewish holidays. Kashrut is observed throughout the school and at all school events so that students may observe Jewish law and life fully.

Athletic programs and extra-curricular activities never conflict with Shabbat or Jewish holidays.

Students and their families represent a wide spectrum of Jewish observance, attending Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, Reconstructionist and post-denominational congregations. While religious practices vary among the student body, Rochelle Zell works hard to ensure that students welcome and respect each other’s levels of observance.

Rochelle Zell is committed to preserving God’s world and making it a more just and peaceful place through individual and collective commitment to programs of justice and service. The school and its students strive to be a positive force in the Chicagoland area and beyond. Students initiate and participate in numerous tzedekah programs and chesed activities throughout the school year.

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College and Beyond A primary goal at Rochelle Zell Jewish High School is to enable students to develop the attitudes, skills and work habits necessary to excel in college and beyond. The college counseling program has evolved to meet the needs of a growing student population while continuing to adhere to the mission of the school. While the overriding goal is for each student to graduate with a satisfying post-high school plan, the college counseling department believes that post-high school counseling is a developmental process that must allow for individual differences and expectations.

We offer a comprehensive and systematic approach to post-secondary planning, beginning early in the high school years, and culminating with a thoughtful, well-chosen plan for college, military service and/or career.

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Colleges Choose Rochelle Zell Students The college-counseling program is staffed by two counselors with broad-based knowledge, considerable experience in the field, and strong connections to colleges and universities. Together they have over seventy years’ experience in education and college admissions, on both the high school and college sides. While their primary focus is the individual student, the counselors participate in all aspects of the program at Rochelle Zell Jewish High School. They are actively engaged with other college-counseling professionals in the area, as well as with college admission personnel across the United States.

Our college counselors are a part of a “student services” group that includes the school social worker, a school counselor and learning specialists, as well as the academic dean. Interacting with this group on a regular basis has contributed to its developmental view of post-secondary planning, as the college counselors become familiar with students from the beginning of their freshmen year.

The College Counseling Department is a source of information and personal guidance geared toward ensuring that each graduate has an appropriate, meaningful plan for after graduation. Such guidance is not limited to college planning, as many of our students wish to pursue “gap years” in Israel, the U.S., or other international locations. While the college counseling resource center has a variety of print material for students, we also help students access the most current information through technology and meetings with representatives from a wide variety of colleges and gap year programs. Each year, approximately 75 college representatives visit the Rochelle Zell Jewish High School campus.

engaging Activities & Clubs Student life at Rochelle Zell is full of spirit and a tremendous sense of community. There are numerous opportunities for students to get involved socially through extracurricular activities, clubs, athletics, and leadership programs both in school and in the Jewish community. Our students participate in youth groups of every affiliation.

A Student Activities Fair takes place every fall, where students are introduced to all of the opportunities they have to engage with the community. And, when students discover new ways to enhance student life, they are encouraged to start a new club.

2021-22 Club Offerings •

ARK & Momma Chef

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Interfaith Youth Corps

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Art Club

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Math Team

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Black Lives Matter

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Mental Health and Awareness

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Chess Club

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Pride

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DEAP

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QuarkNet

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Robotics & Engineering Club

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RZ Cappella

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Spikeball

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Spirit Club

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Sports Discussion

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Spring Musical

(Domestic Justice)

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DECA

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Environmental Club

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Feminism Club

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Gidwitz

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Holla For Challah

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S.T.A.N.D.

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Student Ambassadors

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The Stripe

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US Politics Club

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Va’ad HaStudentim

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Va’ad Israel

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Va’ad Shabbatonim

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Va’ad Tefillah

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Yad B’Yad

(Human Rights)

(Student Newspaper)

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Student Life A central question of high school is “Who am I?” Both inside and outside of the classroom, Rochelle Zell helps students engage this question as a Jew, an American, and as a global citizen. Students do so in a learning community, where every student voice matters and is valued.

Chesed and Service to the Community Rochelle Zell Jewish High School is committed to ensuring human dignity and crafting a just society. Each year, our community chooses a topic of national and local importance and focuses on it from the perspectives of Direct Service, Education, Advocacy, and Philanthropy. In recent years, DEAP has chosen to focus on mental health and tikkun haguf (bodily health). Students have brought in experts from the field to educate about these issues, volunteered across Chicago, and raised over $10,000 each year to benefit No Shame on U, SHALVA, and Keshet.

Students have opportunities both during lunch and after school to be involved in clubs committed to bettering the world, including STAND (global human rights), volunteering at the ARK, fostering interfaith dialogue with Muslim and Christian clergy and teens, volunteering to tutor students with special needs, and more.

Shabbatonim Each year, we have three Shabbatonim (weekend retreats), one for freshmen, one for seniors, and one for the entire school community. Each Shabbaton features the opportunity to build community among both students and faculty and celebrate the joy of Shabbat. The programs over the course of the day are planned both by students and faculty. They feature the school at its best, celebrating Jewish life and Jewish time, having fun with friends, and delving deep into discussion topics of shared meaning.

caring Student Services Rochelle Zell Jewish High School is committed to a supportive learning environment that strengthens independence and responsibility. We are proud of our Student Services Team, consisting of a social worker, two learning specialists, and a counselor, working together to help our students manage the challenges of life in high school. The Student Services Team offers support for students with identified learning needs. Its mission is to provide students with appropriate academic accommodations that enable students to thrive and transition to independent learning.

In order to receive academic accommodations, parents must provide a complete psychoeducational evaluation report, as well as any Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) or 504 documentation from their student’s previous school during the admissions process. Using this information, our team builds a service plan that identifies appropriate accommodations for your student.

Standard accommodations may include extended time on assessments, academic check-in (freshmen and transfers), use of a computer, and preferential seating. We also offer assistance with establishing accommodations for the ACT and College Board (SAT and Advanced Placement Program) standardized testing series.

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Dedicated to Affordability We are proud to offer personalized approaches to help families manage tuition. Our goal is to ensure that every qualified student has the opportunity to attend Rochelle Zell Jewish High School.

Currently, we provide tuition assistance to over 50% of our student body. Need-based grants can range from $1,000 to full tuition. Our average award is over $18,000. Tuition assistance awarded in the first year of attendance will be consistent throughout the student’s tenure at Rochelle Zell Jewish High School unless there is a significant change in the family’s financial circumstances.

Tuition Assistance is determined by many factors including income, certain expenses, assets, allowable debts, family size, number of children attending tuition-charging schools and colleges, and costs associated with synagogue membership and Jewish summer camp. Applying for tuition assistance does not influence admission decisions. Individual tuition assistance awards are held in the strictest confidence.

Statement of Non-Discrimination Rochelle Zell Jewish High School admits students of any race, color, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity, or ethnic origin and grants them the rights, and offers them privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to all students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, nationality, sexual identity, gender identity, or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletics or other school administered programs. Guidelines of the Conservative Movement are observed.

How to Apply for Tuition Assistance Tuition Assistance Applications will be available online beginning October 5 and are due January 11, 2022.

Completing this easily accessible application allows each family to request assistance based on individual needs.

Go to www.rzjhs.org and click on the Admissions tab.

Other Ways of Reducing Your Tuition •

Apply by the December 15th Early Decision Deadline and receive a $500 discount.

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Submit your b’nei mitzvah $250 certificate. We offer these certificates to synagogues. If your synagogue did not give you a certificate, speak with them about participating in our program.

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Reach out to your rabbi or synagogue for information on additional scholarships.

Join the Rochelle Zell Family Today!

We are accepting applications for the 2022-2023 school year! To access applications, forms, and more, visit our website or email Riv Lynch, Director of Admissions. To subscribe to our Admissions newsletter to make sure you receive the most up-to-date information about Admissions events and details, please email Riv Lynch, Director of Admissions, at rlynch@rzjhs.org.

A partner with the Jewish United Fund in serving our community. Affiliated with Prizmah: Center for Jewish Day Schools.

Rochelle Zell is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS).