Prospective Parent Information

Dear Friends, Thank you for your interest in Bais Yaakov. We look forward to providing you with our statement of purpose regarding Bais Yaakov’s history and philosophy. We would also like to give you a glimpse into our curriculum and special programs. Statement of Purpose Bais Yaakov is proud of its distinction as the first Bais Yaakov Elementary School in America that was established outside of the New York City area. We have completed seven decades of service to the community and we are celebrating over 76 years of growth. The Park Heights campus houses the Lower and Upper Elementary divisions of the school. The Lower Elementary is comprised of our Preschool, grades 1 and 2. The Upper Elementary is comprised of grades 3 and 4. The Middle School and High School are located at our Smith Avenue campus. Our Preschool is the gateway for the overwhelming majority of children coming to Bais Yaakov. Our Moros lovingly help the girls adjust to the regular school setting. Academic foundation skills, socialization skills, midos tovos and so much more, are taught in an environment of creative and innovative activities that focus on the development and needs of each individual child. The Elementary School Limudei Kodesh program is typical of the curriculum presented in Bais Yaakov schools throughout the country. Our school is a Maryland State Department of Education certified non-public school, and the general studies program reflects those standards and requirements. Throughout both departments, the staff focuses on developing a love for learning in its students and encourages them to become independent learners. Every class has an official gym period once a week. Art and music are incorporated by classroom teachers at all grades. Additionally, there is specific instruction in these subjects at different grade levels. All the grades have regular library sessions. Our Elementary School has a mobile computer science lab and the children learn these skills beginning in second grade. “Special” days, grade-level and school-wide activities, trips, and visiting resources are integral parts of the program. From its inception, our school’s goal has been to educate young women as Bnos Torah who are wholesome individuals, proud of their yiddishkeit and who are mekadeshei shem shemayim . It is interesting to note that this goal may have been more easily accomplished fifty years ago even though the majority of the parent body of the Preschool and Elementary School were not shomrei Torah u’mitzvos . A Bais Yaakov ruach was maintained even under those circumstances. The expectations were clear, and a commitment to these standards was made. Over time, the complexion of these families changed due to having children in our school. But through each era, we have remained a Bais Yaakov. With time, our Torah observant community has grown. Nevertheless, sometimes we find ourselves addressing circumstances that are not necessarily halachic issues, but deal with the societal and cultural challenges around us. Bais Yaakov remains committed as ever to raise a generation of children b’ruach yisroel saba , in the tradition of our Torah. The changes in our community, financial constraints, and the challenges of the times, have made the need for a robust partnership between school and home more vital. The focus of our enrollment policy is to accept families who are interested in and committed to a Bais Yaakov hashkafa . Our school has, and will always have, a wide variety of families and aspires to instill a sense of achdus reflective of the Baltimore community. We are concerned that a child should attend the school that meets her academic, social and behavior needs. Therefore, we do not require all students from one family to attend Bais Yaakov. Please feel free to discuss this policy with any administrator. We strive for success and, of course, you want us to be successful in educating your daughter. To accomplish this, we are looking for parents who will support and impart at home the Bais Yaakov education which we provide at school, so we encourage you to read all of the materials carefully. If your family has such aspirations, then please submit an application – we very much would like to meet with you! Sincerely, Rabbi Yitzchok Sanders Rabbi Yochanon Stein Principal, Lower Elementary Principal, Upper Elementary over Bais Yaakov admits female students of the Jewish faith. The Bais Yaakov School for Girls admits students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, employment, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, or athletic or other school-administered programs. Limudei Kodesh sessions are from 9 A.M. to 12 P.M. and General Studies sessions are from 12:35 P.M. to 3:30 P.M. All General Studies Teachers are required to meet the requirements of the Maryland State Department of Education. The average amount of students per class is approximately 18-21 girls. Children applying to Bais Yaakov School must be of the Jewish faith. Appropriate developmental, emotional, and educational benchmarks are expected. Bais Yaakov accepts children with special needs, but they are reviewed on an individual basis to determine if our school is equipped to handle their learning disability or exceptionality. Bais Yaakov endeavors to educate and develop well-adjusted, wholesome, happy young ladies in the path of the Torah, complemented by an excellent General Studies education.