Middle School FAQ
- How does Heschel West prepare students to achieve in the future? Hide
Heschel West Middle School’s rigorous academic program is designed to create an environment that fosters lifelong learning in our students. We strive to ensure that each of our students grow and develop his/her personal skills, talents and interests to the fullest. We prepare our middle school students for a successful and meaningful experience in high school and beyond. Our administration and faculty will monitor the individual progress of our students using both qualitative (parent and student feedback) and quantitative (standardized testing) measurements, and compare that progress in the school general against the trends and norms of other public and private schools.
- What about students who are new to day school? Hide
Students who have never been in day school before are welcome to enter Heschel West in the middle school, even if they have never studied Hebrew or Judaic studies. We will make every effort to ease the transition for incoming students and their families, finding the appropriate grouping to accommodate all of our students learning needs. New students entering into the middle school will be required to take the ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam).
- What are the plans for competitive team sports? Hide
We recognize that in middle school participation in competitive sports is critical. Beginning in September 2004 the 5th grade at Heschel West will participate in the Los Encinos small School league. This league provides opportunities for small schools to field either a co-ed or a single sex team in the following sports: Soccer, Basketball and Volleyball. Our middle school will participate in this league until our student population grows to such a size that warrants our entry into the San Fernando Private School League.
- What new experiences will my child have in middle school? Hide
The middle school experience is characterized by many new and unique educational and social opportunities. They include:
- Advisory
- Exploratories
- Community Service
- Interscholastic Sports
- Block Schedule – increased class length
- Electives
- Extended Field trips
- Multiple classes, assignments, teachers
- More extensive ERB testing
- Student Council
- Clubs
- Musical/Theatre Productions
- Social Activities (Dances)
- How will the middle school be separated from the elementary school? Hide
It is important that middle school students feel that they have a space to call their own. Therefore, both in the design of the current site, as well as the future campus, the middle school students will have space that is dedicated to their own learning. They will have a separate lunch area and restrooms, as well as places to socialize. We are even contemplating a separate entrance and carpool drop-off for our students.
- Why should I send my child to such a small school? Hide
Heschel West has always focused on individualized instruction. While social development has always been an important objective of our program at each grade level, we focus our attention on the individual needs of our students first.
The Heschel West Middle School will extend this approach to new grade levels. But it should be noted that individualized attention – particularly important at the middle school level – is infinitely more possible with smaller class sizes, as well as a smaller school size. Truthfully, a great many public middle school students “get lost” in a sea of classmates that often times make individuality impossible.- What if I have more questions about Heschel West? Hide
Should you have further questions, please feel free to call Judy Einbund, our Director of Admissions, at 818.707.2365.
