Home › Forums › Yeshiva / School / College / Education Issues › Picking a High School for my son
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November 18, 2010 5:13 pm at 5:13 pm #593108confusedyidMember
Need help in picking a high school for my son, what are criteria/issues that I should be looking for/avoiding?
Thanks
November 18, 2010 5:22 pm at 5:22 pm #711154gavra_at_workParticipantDorm or not?
Sending a 14 year old boy to a dorm has its own issues. Not to rule it out, but to be Choshesh.
November 18, 2010 5:35 pm at 5:35 pm #711155WolfishMusingsParticipantConfusedyid,
I don’t know you or your son, so I can’t give you any specific advice. I will, however, give out some generic advice which I’ve always found to be helpful.
Many people want to get their son into the “best yeshiva.” That, in and of itself, is not a bad thing. Going to the “best yeshiva” may well bring your son (and perhaps, by extension, the rest of the family) certain benefits and advantages.
However, instead of looking for simply the “best yeshiva,” find the best yeshiva *for your son*. Your son is not like anyone else’s son. He has his own strengths and weaknesses. If you put in a yeshiva just because it sounds good but it’s a poor fit for his personality and learning abilities, then you will lose far more than you gain.
If you’re happy with your son’s elementary school, why don’t you speak with your son and his teachers/principals and ask them for recommendations?
The Wolf
November 18, 2010 7:13 pm at 7:13 pm #711156popa_bar_abbaParticipantOne that he wants to go to.
November 18, 2010 7:45 pm at 7:45 pm #711157mikehall12382MemberOne that takes jewish learning and secular subjects very seriously…at least in my case.
November 18, 2010 7:52 pm at 7:52 pm #711158HelpfulMemberOne that puts Torah far far ahead of secular studies.
November 18, 2010 7:57 pm at 7:57 pm #711159WIYMemberconfusedyid
Wolf said it very well. It has to be a good fit for your child.
Take into account things like class size and individualized attention, are the Rabbeim known to be open and friendly, do they get a kesher with the boys? What kind of boys go there? Are they cliquey or snobby or more accepting…?
See if you can talk to boys who went to the school recently or are currently there that will give you tons of insights.
November 18, 2010 8:01 pm at 8:01 pm #711160Feif UnParticipantThere are many things that must be taken into account. As was mentioned, dorm or not? What area are you looking into? The NYC area? What is your hashkafic background, and what is your son like?
You need to know what you want before asking for help.
November 19, 2010 6:51 pm at 6:51 pm #711161bptParticipantNarrow your choices down to 4, and check the academics, speak to parents who now have kids in the schools.
Then go to each of the schools at arrival time, lunch /recess time and dismissal. That will show you the kids (and some of the parents) as they truly are.
November 22, 2010 5:40 pm at 5:40 pm #711162confusedyidMemberThanks guys especially to the Wolf man, WIY and BPT.
November 22, 2010 6:15 pm at 6:15 pm #711163WIYMemberConfusedyid
You are most welcome!
November 22, 2010 10:52 pm at 10:52 pm #711164apushatayidParticipantIf you are not concerned about your son staying in a dorm (if the situation requires – I have no idea where you live), look into Mesivta Yesodei Yeshurun in Kew Gardens Hills (Queens), NY.
November 23, 2010 1:40 am at 1:40 am #711165Josh31ParticipantBeware of schools that supposedly have a solid secular studies program, but the vast majority of students just “blow it off”.
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