The Leffell School
| Solomon Schechter School of Westchester | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
 | |
, | |
| Information | |
| Type | Private |
| Religious affiliation(s) | Jewish |
| Established | 1966 |
| Founder | Rabbi Max Gelb |
| President | Michael Leffell |
| High School Principal | Eric Bassin |
| Middle School Principal | Amy Holtzer |
| Lower School Principal | Matthew Aborn |
| Head of school | Dr. Michael A. Kay |
| Grades | K-12 |
| Number of students | 827 |
| Student to teacher ratio | 6:1[1] |
| Campus | Two 25 acre campuses (lower and upper school) |
| Color(s) | Green White |
| Mascot | Schechter Lion |
| Newspaper | The Lions Roar |
| Website | schechterwestchester.org |
Solomon Schechter School of Westchester (Schechter Westchester) is K-12 Jewish day school, affiliated with the Conservative Movement and serving the full breadth of the Jewish community in Westchester County, New York and throughout the Tri-State area.[2]
History
Beginning
The school began with twenty-two students and two teachers in the basement of Temple Israel Center. They were guided by Rabbi Max Gelb, the school’s founder, and Leah Gelb, Schechter Westchester’s founding principal. With the addition of one class each year, enrollment reached one hundred and the first class was graduated in 1974. The school soon moved to a larger facility on Soundview Avenue in White Plains, New York to accommodate the growing school. Schechter Westchester continued to grow through the 1970s. In 1975, Mac Schwebel became Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Mrs. Pat Kelly arrived as Assistant Principal. By the end of the decade, nearly 150 students were registered and the kindergarten was housed in a converted home adjacent to the main building. In 1979, under the leadership of Rabbi Gelb and with generous funding and support from M. Mac Schwebel, and others, the 25-acre Rosedale Elementary School campus on Dellwood Road in White Plains was leased and, two years later, purchased. After fourteen years, Rabbi and Mrs. Gelb retired in 1980.[3]
New Head of School
Dr. Elliot Spiegel was appointed headmaster. During Dr. Spiegel’s tenure, the school pioneered numerous educational programs in teacher training, family and adult education, comprehensive pupil services, and religious life. By the fall of 1988, the three buildings on the Dellwood campus could no longer accommodate our 400 students and the ever-increasing demands on Westchester’s largest Jewish day school. Through the generosity of the Schechter Westchester community and a gift from the late Joseph Gruss, one of New York’s foremost Jewish philanthropists, a fourth building was constructed in 1989. The Caroline and Joseph S. Gruss Life Monument Learning Center houses the Schur Family Chapel, the Dubin Computer Center, a teacher center, classrooms, and the Irene Schwebel Library. In 2007, an award-winning playground was erected on the campus. The Lower School campus is now home to the school's kindergarten through fifth grades.
The 1990s mark several firsts for Schechter Westchester, including the Bnei Mitzvah class trip to Israel.[4]
Two Campuses
With the support of the entire community, construction of the first Conservative Jewish high school in Westchester was completed. Within 40 years, a small Jewish day school grew into a K-12 school with more than 820 students. The school is now nestled on two campuses; The Dr. Elliot Spiegel Lower School in White Plains and The M. Mac Schwebel Upper School in Hartsdale.[5]
Change of Leadership
In 2013, the Lower School was renamed the Dr. Elliot Spiegel Lower School in honor of Dr. Spiegel's 33 years of leadership and in commeoration of his retirement. Dr. Michael A. Kay was appointed head of school.[6]
Mission
Schechter Westchester is set apart by a dual curriculum. Through the teaching of Jewish values, critical thinking, and openness to new ideas, they inspire our students to achieve academic and personal excellence. Schechter Westchester instills in its graduates the confidence to navigate life's journey with a strong moral compass and apply their passions, knowledge, and skills to the betterment of the Jewish people, the United States, Israel, and the world.[7]
Core Values
(אהבת ישראל) Ahavat Yisrael - Love of Israel
Showing love for and commitment to the Jewish people and the land and state of Israel is central to Jewish identity and continuity.
(גמילות חסדים) Gemilut Chasadim - Social Action
Establishing a better world through exemplary behavior, leadership, and acts of kindness.
(כבוד) Kavod - Respect
Embracing diversity and respecting ourselves and others as we are created in God's image. Schechter Westchester teaches respect for both American and Jewish values and promote understanding and goodwill toward those of other faiths and beliefs.
(קהילה) Kehilah - Community
Taking part in and responsibility for our community as the context for meaningful Jewish lives.
(תלמוד תורה) Talmud Torah - Lifelong Learning and Study
Instilling a love for continual learning through balanced study of Torah and general studies.
(שמירת (מצוות ותפילה Tefilah V'Shmirat Mitzvot - Observance
Observing Jewish traditions and prayer to provide meaning to students' daily lives.
Athletics
Schechter Westchester participates in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association. The following sports are currently offered:[8]
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Fall:
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Winter:
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Spring:
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STEM/STEAM
Sci-Tech
Schechter Westchester offers STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art/Design, Mathematics) education with their competitive Sci-Tech program. Developed by the Israel Sci-Tech Network, the largest network of schools and colleges in Israel, the program fosters a strong partnership with Israel’s high tech industry.
Sci-TECH is designed for students entering ninth grade with a strong interest in STEAM. Students work in teams and gain the ability to access and analyze information across the STEAM disciplines. They view the world through multiple perspectives, make connections, and see patterns. This three-year program culminates in a team research project solving real-world engineering problems, mentored by professionals working in related fields.[9]
Tuition
Tuition and fees for the 2014-15 school year, excluding transportation costs:
| Grade | Total Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|
| K | $20,700 |
| 1 | $22,700 |
| 2 - 4 | $24,100 |
| 5 | $24,300 |
| 6 | $27,700 |
| 7 | $28,800 |
| 8 | $31,800 |
| 9 - 11 | $35,800 |
| 12 | $35,600 |
Schechter Westchester strives to provide tuition assistance to all who are eligible, and they aim to make a Schechter Westchester education affordable for as many families as possible. Currently, forty percent of students receive tuition assistance.[11]
Notable alumni
See also
- Westchester Magazine - Sci-Tech
- Less Waste at Solomon Schechter Westchester
- LoHud
- Westchester Magazine
- Education.com
- Glassdoor
References
- ^ "Student Ratio". Retrieved 8 May 2014.
- ^ "Schechter Westchester Website". Retrieved 7 May 2014.
- ^ "Schechter Westchester Website - History". Retrieved 7 May 2014.
- ^ "Schechter Westchester Website - History". Retrieved 7 May 2014.
- ^ "Schechter Westchester Website - History". Retrieved 7 May 2014.
- ^ "Schechter Westchester Website - History". Retrieved 7 May 2014.
- ^ "Schechter Westchester Website - Mission". Retrieved 7 May 2014.
- ^ "MSG Varsity". Retrieved 8 May 2014.
- ^ "Schechter Westchester Website - STEM/STEAM". Retrieved 7 May 2014.
- ^ "Schechter Westchester Website - Tuition". Retrieved 7 May 2014.
- ^ "The Jewish Week - Tuition". Retrieved 7 May 2014.
External links
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