We Are RZ!
Since its establishment in 2001, Rochelle Zell has earned a national reputation for its commitment to academic excellence. Every year, more Chicago-area families are discovering how Rochelle Zell’s outstanding faculty, integrated general and Jewish studies curriculum, vibrant community and rich student life provide Jewish high school students with a unique opportunity to achieve their full potential.
We pride ourselves on the warmth of our community, the close relationships between teachers and students, and our commitment to the intellectual, spiritual, and ethical growth of each student. The individual journeys of our students are personal ones, to be sure, yet they are framed by the cumulative wisdom and experience of our Jewish traditions and values. Students at Rochelle Zell do not merely absorb the wisdom of others; they acquire their own wisdom. As our students work to define their faith, their identities, their connection to communities of purpose and their place in the world, they construct personal blueprints for living Judaism as responsible and involved citizens in the modern world.
We look forward to welcoming you to our community.
Sincerely,
Tony Frank Head of School Director of Recruitment & Admissions
Use this QR code to watch a shortvideofromTonyFrank,
Head of School
Our Mission
Rochelle Zell Jewish High School creates 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.
We Are Learners
Rochelle Zell Jewish High School is a college preparatory program that combines a rigorous general studies education with a comprehensive Jewish studies education. Subject areas are integrated to enable students to develop their critical thinking and experience the secular world from the perspective of Jewish values and practices.
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. We focus 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. Classes provide the tools to access the best of secular and Jewish knowledge and culture and integrate them into productive and meaningful lifestyles.
Students take General Studies classes with their grade-level peers. Rochelle Zell makes Talmud and Torah studies accessible to all students, whether students have previous experience at a Jewish day school or come to us from public school.
Rochelle Zell 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.
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.
Use this QR code to watch a short video from Jason Loeb, Academic Dean, and Stu Jacobs, Dean of Faculty
We Are Creators
Rochelle Zell is committed to providing students with a comprehensive and well-rounded high school experience, and our Arts & Electives 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 potential and cultivate an appreciation for the talents of their peers.
Highlights
• Arts & Electives courses range from AP Computer Science to Debate to Studio Art.
• Rochelle Zell Model UN has received the National High School Model UN Conference’s Top Team Award for ten consecutive years at the conference, attended by over 5000 high school students from around the world.
• Rochelle Zell’s yearbook has been named a Jostens’ National Yearbook Program of Excellence.
• NEW for 2024-25 is a Culinary Arts elective taught by a local food blogger and cookbook author.
We Are Jewish in the Modern World
RZJHS 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 observant and committed Jews. Students develop love for Jewish study and Jewish life.
Students and their families represent a wide spectrum of Jewish observance. 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 inspires a reverence for and critical understanding of Torah. The Jewish studies curriculum includes classes in Talmud, Tanach (Bible), Jewish thought and Jewish history. Daily tefillah (prayer) 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. Laws of Kashrut (dietary laws) are 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.
Rochelle Zell is committed to making the world a more just and peaceful place through individual and collective commitment to programs of social justice and public policy. The school and its students strive to exert a positive influence in the Chicagoland area and beyond. Students initiate and participate in numerous tzedakah (philanthropy) programs and chesed (good deeds) activities throughout the school year.
We Are Explorers
Trips & Shabbatonim
Building community around Jewish education serves as a cornerstone of our school. We offer Shabbatonim (retreats over Shabbat) and overnight trips, giving our students an opportunity to come together as a community.
The Freshman and Sophomore Shabbatons provide an opportunity for connection and bonding as a class. Seniors serve as mentors, fostering community and bringing our newest students into the fullness of our school.
Our Juniors embark on a three-day trip where they explore key institutions to learn about Jewish history, American connections, and the Jewish experience today. In recent years, Juniors visited New York City, Washington, D.C., and Boston.
A favorite for students is our All-School Shabbaton where we gather as a school community and celebrate the school, Jewish life, and the ability to have fun as teenagers.
Senior Israel Experience
The RZJHS Senior Israel Experience is the capstone of our students’ 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 may have had previously, 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 counselors 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.
We Are Student Advocates
Our Student Services Team provides support for students’ academic, social, and emotional well-being so that they may thrive in high school and beyond. Members of the Student Services Team meet weekly to discuss students’ successes and areas of growth and strategize around supports and interventions.
Our Learning Specialists are a vital resource for students with identified learning, emotional, and medical disabilities or challenges. Their primary role is to support students with their specific learning needs in addition to their accommodations and service plans. The Learning Specialists create all formal learning plans based on documentation from medical doctors, neuropsychological evaluations, and previous service plans (IEPs, Section 504s, etc.). Our Learning Specialists are also responsible for ensuring that student service plans are provided to faculty and implemented appropriately in the classroom. They also meet with all students who have service plans to ensure that they are aware of their service plans, the learning differences identified in the plans, and the accommodations to which they are entitled. This also provides the Learning Specialists with an opportunity to assist students with executive functioning and study skills.
The School Counselor and Social Worker collaborate closely in providing social and emotional support to students. The School Counselor is a daily resource for students’ needs related to their social and emotional wellbeing. Students visit with the School Counselor to receive support on any social, emotional, or personal matters with which they are struggling. When students need more targeted interventions and intensive support, they are referred to the Social Worker. In this capacity, both the School Counselor and Social Worker serve as advocates for the students and liaisons between the school, home, and any outside therapeutic support.
Finally, RZJHS offers programming throughout the year that fosters students’ social and emotional growth and prepares them for living healthy, balanced, and responsible lives. We partner with outside organizations to arrange speakers, workshops, and other events to educate about a wide variety of topics, including: drug and alcohol awareness, social aggression (bullying/cyberbullying), managing stress and anxiety, forming consensual and safe friendships/relationships, LGBTQ education, and more. Programming is tailored to and modified for each grade level.
We Are Spirited
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. Students also have the opportunity to have fun at Homecoming, Prom, and other social events throughout the year.
A Student Activities Fair takes place every fall, where students are introduced to all of the opportunities they have to engage with the community. RZJHS offers over 25 student clubs in many areas including academic, community service, leadership, physical and artistic interests, and social justice. Students are also encouraged to engage in the club creation process when they discover new ways to enhance student life.
A central question of high school is “Who am I?” Both inside and outside of the classroom, Rochelle Zell helps students engage with this question as Jews, as Americans, and as global citizens. Students do so in a learning community, where every student voice matters and is valued.
2024-25 Student Clubs
Art Club
Book Club
Chess Club
Community Service
DEAP
DECA
Environmental Club
Feminism Club
Holla for Challah
Interfaith Youth Core
Math Team
Peer Tutors
Pride Club
QuarkNet
Robotics Club
RZ Cappella
RZ Heroes
Spirit Club
Sports Analytics & Media
STAND
Student Ambassadors
US Politics
Va’ad HaStudentim (Student Council)
Va’ad Shabbaton (Retreats)
Va’ad Tefillah (Prayer)
Va’ad Yisrael (Israel)
Wellness Club
We Are Athletes
Rochelle Zell’s athletics 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 RZJHS experience. Student-athletes are challenged to strive for excellence, learn self-discipline and attain a strong work ethic that helps them succeed in athletics, in the classroom and in the community.
Rochelle Zell is a member school of the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) and a member of the Chicago Prep Conference (CPC).
Interscholastic Athletic Offerings 2024-25
Use this QR code to watch a short video from David Martinez, Athletic Director Fall Winter Spring Boys Cross Country
Girls Soccer
Boys Tennis
Boys Track & Field
Girls Track & Field
Volleyball
Boys Volleyball
We Are Leaders
A primary goal at Rochelle Zell 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 an increasingly diverse student population while continuing to adhere to the mission of the school. At RZJHS, we view post-high school counseling as 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.
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. While their primary focus is the individual student, the counselors participate in all aspects of the program at Rochelle Zell. They are actively engaged with other college-counseling professionals in the area, as well as with college admission personnel across the United States.
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. Each year, approximately 75 college representatives visit the Rochelle Zell campus.
We Are Community
Grandparents and Special Friends
Grandparents and Special Friends are an integral part of your student’s development. By joining the Grandparent and Special Friends Association, they can help Rochelle Zell fund special programs and activities throughout the year. They will also be invited to special events including Grandparents Meet and Greet in the fall and Grandparents and Special Friends Day in the spring.
Parent Organization
Alumni
From college, graduate schools, the business world, non-profit organizations and the IDF to our very own RZJHS board members and faculty, our alumni continue to tackle the new challenges they face as independent young adults. We are proud of our 600+ alumni and keep in frequent contact with them. They visit the school often to see former teachers, speak to current classes, and to give their younger siblings rides home.
Even after a student graduates, their families are still a part of our community! We invite our Alumni Parents to keep in touch and join us at the many opportunities we offer each year, such as Adult Education.
Our Parent Organization is active throughout the year, planning social events and adult education. We are always looking for parent volunteers to help us celebrate student birthdays, serve lunch at our festive Chanukah meal, show our staff appreciation, and more!
We Are Connected
Technology
RZJHS offers students, staff, and faculty a range of technologies designed to support excellence in teaching and learning. Classroom technology includes interactive SMART Boards and document cameras. In 2020 we opened the Schechter/Bernat Family Innovation Lab which provides flexible space for students to work and specialized equipment, such as 3D printers and cutting machines.
To offer more personalized student-centered learning, RZJHS students are encouraged to bring their own device for educational use under the direction of a teacher or administrator. Laptops are preferred as they support software that may be required at all levels. Students and families have access to numerous resources to continue and support learning off campus including Office 365, Google Apps for Education, Canvas and PowerSchool.
Food
Rochelle Zell is committed to being a place where everyone can feel at home, guided by kashrut and communal opportunities. Students are welcome to bring their own lunches, or have the option to purchase kosher meals daily, with certain days designated as dairy days and others designated as meat days.
Every Friday morning, students gather for All School Tefillah and a complimentary breakfast of student favorites including cereal varieties and bagels. Students and staff also participate in community favorite “Holla for Challah,” where each month students receive dough and toppings to create their own challot that are baked for them to enjoy later in the day. And once a month, we celebrate student and staff birthdays with a special treat provided by our Parent Organization.
Monthly, our Va’ad HaStudentim (Student Council) selects an area kosher restaurant, and students and staff are welcome to order a special lunch. Additionally, on holidays including Chanukah, Purim, and Yom HaAtzmaut, all students and staff are treated to a complimentary lunch from a local kosher caterer or restaurant so that we are all able to celebrate these joyous days together.
Transportation
Carpool - Many of the RZJHS Students drive or carpool. Parking passes are issued to all eligible students to park in our lot.
Metra & CJE Bus - RZJHS students who live in Chicago and other North Shore towns to our south are able to take the Union Pacific North line to the Braeside station in Highland Park, where they are met by a shuttle that takes them to RZJHS. Full time students can purchase a reduced One-Way, 10-Ride or Monthly Pass for the Metra train. RZJHS provides ID cards for students. More information on times and fares can be found at www.metrarail.com
We partner with our neighbors at CJE SeniorLife to provide the CJE Bus which provides a daily shuttle between Braeside in Highland Park and RZJHS for our students who use the Metra Union Pacific North train. We offer a bus at the end of the school day as well as a late bus for students who participate in sports.
PACE Bus - Bus #626 travels from the Skokie Swift station to RZJHS and back, with two quick stops on the way.
We Are 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.
Affordability by the numbers:
• Approximately 60% of students benefit from our Affordability Program
• Tuition for the 2024-2025 school year is $34,450 plus additional fees for books/ lab materials, activities, security, and the Parent Organization, as well as optional fees for athletics programs and travel experiences.
• All families are able to elect a payment plan based on their needs, either in one, two, or ten payments scheduled during the year.
• Affordability awards for the 2024-2025 school year range from $2,000 to $32,000 per student.
• Depending on the factors listed below, families with an income of up to $400,000 or higher may qualify for our Affordability Program.
Affordability awards are primarily determined based on family income and assets. Other factors that are considered are family size, certain expenses, allowable debts, number of children attending tuition-charging schools and colleges, and costs associated with synagogue membership and Jewish summer camp. We also seek to maintain a similar level of awards over a student’s four years, provided that the family circumstances do not dramatically change.
An optional first step in our affordability program process is an initial conversation with Jim Baumstark, our Director of Finance and Operations. He can be reached via email at jbaumstark@rzjhs.org, and he’s happy to have confidential conversations about affordability and family circumstances as well as walk families through the process.
Applying for the Affordability Program does not influence admission decisions; individual tuition assistance awards are held in the strictest confidence. All families seeking to participate in the Affordability Program are required to complete our application through the FACTS system, which is available on our website. Applications are due by January 15, 2025 for the 2025-2026 school year.
We are delighted to announce that scholarships have generously been made available from the Legacy Heritage Fund for the upcoming academic year. A central mission of Legacy Heritage Fund is to support Jewish education in the US. Only families with a documented need for assistance are eligible to receive a scholarship and students receiving financial assistance must be in grades 9-12. These funds may be incremental to the scholarship already being provided to a family.
Road to RZ
Parent Informational Meetings
Meet with staff, current parents, and students to learn more about RZJHS and the admissions process We will have both city and suburban options
Open House - November 3, 2024
Join us at our Open House to learn more about student life at Rochelle Zell Jewish High School. Learn about our various departments including academics, student life, college counseling, athletics, and Jewish life
Family Tour & Shadow Day
Parents and students may take a tour during school hours
Students can schedule a shadow day to see a day-in-the life of an RZJHS student in November and December.
Parent Informational Meetings
Apply for Admission
Parents and students should complete our application (available on our website) by January 15, 2025
Apply for Affordability Program
Each year more than 60% of families benefit from the Affordability Program The Program application via FACTS is available on our website and is due January 15, 2025
Interview
Once all application materials are received, students and their parents schedule an interview with our Admissions Team in January or February
Curriculum Night - February 4, 2025
Curriculum Night will focus on freshman academics at Rochelle Zell Jewish High School including model lessons and the student experience
Placement
Students must submit a recommendation from current Math and English teachers Additionally, a written and oral Hebrew placement exam will be administered by RZJHS staff.
Enrollment Agreement
Families will receive notification of acceptance and affordability award determinations in March. Complete the RZJHS Enrollment Agreement by March 31 to secure your child’s spot
Registration
Enrolled students will receive course recommendations and a list of electives so that they can register for classes Parents and students may schedule conversations with faculty members to address any questions
Class of 2029 Social Event
Meet the members of the Class of 2029 and their parents before summer begins!
Open House Family Tour
Shadow Day
Join the Rochelle Zell Family Today
A partner with the Jewish United Fund in serving our community. Affiliated with Prizmah: Center for Jewish Day Schools and LMAIS: Lake Michigan Association of Independent Schools. Rochelle Zell is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS).