Picking a High School for my son

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  • #593108
    confusedyid
    Member

    Need help in picking a high school for my son, what are criteria/issues that I should be looking for/avoiding?

    Thanks

    #711154
    gavra_at_work
    Participant

    Dorm or not?

    Sending a 14 year old boy to a dorm has its own issues. Not to rule it out, but to be Choshesh.

    #711155
    WolfishMusings
    Participant

    Confusedyid,

    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

    #711156
    popa_bar_abba
    Participant

    One that he wants to go to.

    #711157

    One that takes jewish learning and secular subjects very seriously…at least in my case.

    #711158
    Helpful
    Member

    One that puts Torah far far ahead of secular studies.

    #711159
    WIY
    Member

    confusedyid

    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.

    #711160
    Feif Un
    Participant

    There 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.

    #711161
    bpt
    Participant

    Narrow 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.

    #711162
    confusedyid
    Member

    Thanks guys especially to the Wolf man, WIY and BPT.

    #711163
    WIY
    Member

    Confusedyid

    You are most welcome!

    #711164
    apushatayid
    Participant

    If 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.

    #711165
    Josh31
    Participant

    Beware of schools that supposedly have a solid secular studies program, but the vast majority of students just “blow it off”.

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