School Profile 2017–18

MAIMONIDES SCHOOL Maimonides School, founded 1937 -Exceptionally comprehensive dual-curriculum program (two schools in one: General Stud • רמבם ies and Judaic Studies) • Students take up to ten courses per term during nine periods per day • School day lasts from 8am until 5pm, with sports and co-curriculars until 9pm • We cover the range of pedagogical approaches to prepare students for all opportunities

Maimonides School is a co-educational preschool through 12th grade Modern Orthodox dedicated to excellence in learning and life, guided by the truths of Jewish tradition and the attainments of the human spirit, as expressed in both Judaic and General Studies. Our students undertake the equivalent of two schools in one, with all courses of Judaic and General study training keen analytical thinking skills, argumentative logic, and verbal expres- sion. Our students’ academic and co-curricular education is intense and comprehensive, extending well beyond that of single-curriculum college preparatory schools. Our rigorous program, from the pioneering vision of its world-renowned founder Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveit- chik, prepares students academically and teaches them to value their Jewish heritage, all towards leading a meaningful and dynamic life in the contemporary world. Our graduates move on to college (and beyond) contributing a distinctive and unique world- view to most contemporary undergraduate communities. Their lens on the modern world is grounded in training in both timeless and timely knowledge and skills. Our broad alumni base spans the globe as they pursue personal and professional interests in every field and at every level. 34 Philbrick Road Brookline, MA 02445-6099 Student Population Phone: (617) 232-4452 Maimonides draws most of its students from the Metropolitan Boston area, although some Fax: (617) 566-2061 students travel from as far away as Rhode Island. The Upper School (Grades 9–12) consists of CEEB Code: 220305 167 students, and the Class of 2018 includes 41 seniors. Ninety-five percent of our graduates continue their studies in a four-year college or university. Many students opt to spend their first year after graduation studying in . Rabbi Dov Huff Judaic Studies Principal Academic Overview Scott Mattoon Associate Head of School for The school year is divided into two semesters. All courses on the transcript, except physical General Studies education, are included in the Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA). Advanced Placement, Tamar Gelb Honors, and Accelerated courses are designated on the transcript. All of our courses are col- Director of College Counseling lege preparatory with Accelerated courses taught at a deeper level. Honors courses are taught at a significantly deeper level and at a faster pace than Accelerated courses. AP courses are taught as college courses. Curricular details are on page 2 of this Profile. Maimonides School does not compute class rank.

Grading System In an effort to help admissions officers interpret our transcripts, we offer this correspondence of numerical averages. Please note that Maimonides School does not weight any grades.

A+ 97–100 B+ 87–89 C+ 77–79 D+ 67–69 A 93–96 B 83–86 C 73–76 D 65–66 A- 90-92 B– 80–82 C– 70–72 F 0–64

Printed November 2017 Maimonides School admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin. Profile 2017-18 Graduation Requirements To graduate from Maimonides School, students must complete the following course of study in General Studies and Judaic Studies:

General Studies Requirements Judaic Studies Requirements Required # Required # Subject of Years Subject of Years English 4 Talmud 4 Mathematics 3 Bible (Prophets) 4 Science 2 Bible () 4 History 3 Issues in Jewish Thought 3 and Practice Jewish History 2 Hebrew (Advanced 4 Modern) Seniors must take a minimum of four General Studies classes.

These are the minimum requirements for graduation. Many students exceed the minimum. Talmud: The study of Talmud, the core of Jewish law, examined in the original text (Aramaic), engages the student’s legal, philosophic, and linguistic abilities through a synthesis of cooper- ative-partnership learning, lecture, and the Socratic method. The ancient and rich dialogue of the rabbis enhances the students’ understanding of Jewish law and customs. Students study Talmud each year of their Upper School career in classes that meet for a total of 7 periods each week. Bible: The study of the Torah and Prophets and the medieval and modern commentaries, read in the original text and analyzed philosophically and historically, is an integral part of the Judaic Studies curriculum. These courses meet a total of 5–7 periods each week. Hebrew: Hebrew language and literature are taught on an advanced level in the Upper School years because students usually begin studying Hebrew in the first grade.

Curriculum Features Length of School Day: 9 hours (8am - 5pm) Number of Periods in a School Day: 9 Number of AP Courses Open to Juniors: 1 (U.S. History) Number of AP Courses Open to Seniors: 4 (Calculus or Statistics, Biology or Physics, World History, English Literature) Honors courses are offered to students in Grades 9-12 in most Judaic Studies and General Studies subjects. Accelerated classes are available in some subjects. General Studies elective offerings:Arabic and Spanish as a third language (after Hebrew and English), Computer Programming and Design, Studio Art, Minorities in America, Fundamentals of Business and Economics, and Psychology “Beyond Maimonides”: Students have the opportunity to participate in an intensive science internship program in local research and biotech labs

Awards Please note that school-based academic awards are given out only to graduating seniors at 2 Maimonides School. Standardized Testing Profile 2017-18

Comparison of Mean ACT Scores Class of # Tested English Math Reading Science Composite 2017 26 29.1 28.7 29.5 28 28.4 2016 17 30.5 27.3 30.8 29.3 29.5 2015 15 32.5 29 31 29.3 30.4

ACT Scores for the Class of 2018 through June 2017 (20 students tested) Test Mid-50 Mean English 25-35 29.8 Math 26-33 28.9 Reading 25-34 29.4 Science 23-32 28.2 Composite 27-31 28.9

Comparison of Mean SAT Scores Class of # Tested CR/EBRW M WR 2017 * 22 670 655 N/A 2016 37 626 623 638 2015 34 647 619 647

* Data reported for new SAT only

New SAT Scores for the Class of 2018 through June 2017 (27 students tested) Test Mid-50 Mean Evidence Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) 590-720 660 Math 580–740 660

SAT Subject Test Scores for the Class of 2018 through June 2017 Test Mean # Tested (out of 41 in class) Biology (E) 629 15 Biology (M) 700 4 Chemistry 653 13 English Literature 690 2 Math I 740 2 Math II 745 6 Modern Hebrew 760 3 Spanish 730 1 U.S. History 720 2

3 Profile 2017-18 Senior Project Shalom Over the winter and spring of their senior year, Maimonides students participate in Senior Project Shalom, a volunteer work program one day per week. During this time, seniors have no Friday classes; instead, they spend the full day engaged in volunteer work and learning at their specific project sites.

Senior Internship/Independent Project In the second semester of their senior year, Maimonides students either shadow a professional in a field of their interest, or explore an Independent Project that has been approved by a fac- ulty panel. With the help of their grade dean, students pursuing real-life experience identify and apply for professional internships. Once they are accepted and the internship is arranged, seniors dedicate 84 hours to working at an institution in a field related to a possible future pro- fession. The other option for seniors is an Independent Project, which allows seniors to pursue an area of non-traditional academic interest. With a faculty advisor, students propose a spe- cific skill or subject they would like to explore. With faculty approval of the project, students posit a question they would like to answer about their project topic, identify the means they will employ to reach their goal, and design a schedule for meetings with their faculty advisor — all of which reflects 84 hours of work. Both Senior Internship and the Independent Project require an end product that allows the student to reflect on what they have learned.

Extracurricular Activities Maimonides School offers a wide range of extracurricular activities including competitive ath- letic teams (, , soccer, , , , and ), mock trial, Model United Nations, newspaper, literary magazine, yearbook, jazz band, choir, drama, math team, student government, and a Judaic publication. In addition, there is a very strong com- mitment to community service, which students in the Upper School pursue avidly.

College Profile 2013–2017 Maimonides School graduates have enrolled in the following colleges and universities during the past five years:

Adelphi Univ. 1 Muhlenberg Coll. 4 Barnard Coll. 7 New York Univ. 7 Binghamton Univ. (SUNY) 3 Northwestern Univ. 1 Boston Univ. 10 Pace Univ., NYC 1 Brandeis Univ. 17 Princeton Univ. 9 Bridgewater State Univ. 1 Purdue Univ. 1 Case Western Reserve Univ. 1 Rutgers Univ. 7 Clark Univ. 2 Suffolk Univ. 1 Columbia Univ. 6 Technion 2 Cornell Univ. 1 Tulane Univ. 1 Dean Coll. 1 U. of Chicago 1 Drexel Univ. 6 U. of Connecticut 1 George Washington Univ. 2 U. of Hartford 4 Goucher Coll. 1 U. of Maryland (College Park) 21 Harvard Univ. 3 U. Mass (Amherst) 16 Hofstra Univ. 1 U. Mass (Boston) 2 Ithaca College 1 U. of Pennsylvania 1 Lesley Univ. 3 U. of Vermont 1 Mass Bay Comm. Coll. 1 U. of Wisconsin (Madison) 1 Mass Coll. of Pharm. & Health Sci. 1 Washington Univ. in St. Louis 6 McGill Univ. 2 Wentworth Institute of Tech. 5 MIT 5 Yeshiva Univ. 53 4