Dear Parents,

The education of our children is the most important responsibility we have as parents. Today's parents face multiple challenges in this regard. Thoughtful parents demand for their children an education which aims at professional success, ensures mastery of the core curriculum of human culture, promotes the process of lifelong inquiry and study, develops values, and provides cultural and religious instruction, all in an environment which is physically and emotionally safe.

For at least 30 years, American Jewish scholars have successfully documented that children who graduate from Jewish day schools enter mainstream American universities, graduate schools, careers, and culture with great ease and success.

Jewish day schools seem to be proving their effectiveness not only in graduating students well able to compete for limited positions at colleges, universities, and yeshivas, but also in graduating students who emerge with a significant body of Jewish literacy. This strong foundation of competency in Jewish text, history, and philosophy translates into preservation of Jewish identity and commitment.

In light of the more concentrated Judaic curriculum offered by day schools, it is not the least bit surprising that study after study has concluded that graduates of full-time day schools are more than twice as likely as graduates of supplementary schools to marry Jewish partners, to join synagogues, to observe Jewish rituals, Shabbat, and holidays, and to become involved members of the Jewish community upon reaching adulthood (1990 National Jewish Population Survey, Avi Chai Foundation Report, 1993; Federation CJA, 1989, to name but two). These statistics in turn serve to encourage parents fearful of their children's assimilation, intermarriage, and abandonment of Jewish tradition to consider the day school alternative.

Memphis Jewish High School offers students a distinctive coeducational learning community by combing excellence in both Jewish and Secular studies. We offer our students a rigorous curriculum that will challenge each student to reach their full potential and become life long learners and active participants in the Jewish community.

The Harkness method exemplifies a dedication to a student-centered approach to learning, which facilitates critical personal connections between students and faculty. At Memphis Jewish High School we firmly believe that such connections are fundamental in the educational development and the pursuit of excellence for all students. We also recognize that we are preparing students for the 21st century in which the only constant will be change.

We are on the cutting edge in the area of technology. To that end, our academic program requires that students go beyond mastering basic traditional skills and become fully prepared for the challenges ahead. We require students to reflect critically, communicate, develop transferable skills, and above all to think, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate. In short, we prepare students to thrive in college and in life.

I encourage you to study this information carefully and to visit the campus to learn more about our remarkable school. Together we can make your child’s learning experience truly outstanding.

Sincerely,
Memphis Jewish High School