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Friday, March 29, 2024

American Hebrew Academy Year In Review

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With but one week passing since we concluded the 2014-2015 academic year, the Academy’s campus is now abuzz with activity as we prepare for the opening of the 6 Points Sports Academy summer camp which this year will welcome close to 800 campers and their families to our campus. We’ve already seen temperatures climb beyond 100 degrees, waved goodbye to most of the faculty for the summer recess, and senior administration is now intensely focused on preparations for the next school year. I will be writing to you shortly about the many new and exciting changes forthcoming in 2015-2016, including an estimated 12% growth in student enrollment. But before we close the record books, I want to share the incredible successes we’ve experienced over the last twelve months. While only fourteen years old, the Academy’s achievements and programs far surpass those of most schools two or even three times its age. We have much to celebrate as a thriving institution and we are deeply appreciative of the support all of you provide.

-The class of 2015 earned an astonishing $5,000,640 in meritorious scholarships for college. A class average of $114,000 per student, more than double the amount of any previous graduating class.

-Three members of the senior class were named National Merit Scholarship Finalists, the most prestigious high school scholarship program in the U.S. continuing the 11th consecutive year in which Academy graduates have earned National Merit Scholarship recognition and over one million dollars in scholarship funds.

-New international student enrollment at the Academy reached a record high 45%, expanding the cultural diversity of the student body, furthering our mission to mentor future Jewish global leaders, and strengthening our unique position in the world as the only international Jewish college prep boarding school. For the third time in four years, AHA students earned first place in the National Moot Beit Din (Mock Trial) competition.

-The list of prestigious colleges and universities to which our students gained admission continued to grow with graduates heading to Cornell, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Chicago, Skidmore, Tufts, Mount Holyoke, George Washington University, Brandeis, and many others

-The first NCAA Division I athletic scholarship was awarded to an Academy graduate in women’s soccer.

-Eight students matriculated in our Dual-Enrollment program at Guilford College and five students completed the Science Research Internship Program in partnership with the University of North Carolina. Students also completed 114 A.P. (Advanced Placement Exams sponsored by the College Board) across 12 A.P. subject areas.

-Among our alumni, glass was shattered in celebration of two weddings of Academy graduates who met while students at AHA. Mazel tov!

-In our College Level U.S. Constitutional Government class, students submitted over 50 legal briefs, providing legal analysis and opinions on major U.S. Supreme Court cases.

-Students, faculty, and staff hosted over 500 physically and mentally challenged students at the 10th anniversary of our sponsorship of the annual Special Olympic Games on campus.

-The Academy launched a new partnership in cooperation with the ARC of Greensboro to assist ARCBarks, a dog treat company that provides employment opportunities to post high school age citizens with intellectual and developmental disabilities in order to expand their production. And the Office of Institutional Advancement continued its partnership with Guilford County Public schools to provide yearlong vocational training opportunities at the Academy for special needs public school students.

-Three theatrical productions, True Stories about Growing Up and Growing Real, Little Women – The Musical and Playful Surprises-Twist & Shout on Stage together with performances by Cheesewagon, the comedy improve troupe and AHAcapella, displayed the wonderful artistic talents of students. Academy students were also awarded honors in the RAVSAK National Judaic Art Contest in the photography and watercolor categories.

-The Academy sponsored community wide events bringing distinguished speakers and programs to students and the greater Greensboro community including Major General Yaacob Ayish, IDF Israel Embassy Attaché to the United States; the premier showing of the film Beneath the Helmet, From High School to the Home Front; sponsorship of the Yom Hashoah Memorial Service; and a moving presentation by Dr. Ann Kirschner, President of Macaulay Honors College at City College of New York, who shared her mother’s personal Holocaust story which inspired her writing of the book Sala’s Gift.

-The student lead Four Corners Tzedakah Fund allocated over $5,000 to the AHA Scholarship Fund, St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital, Doctors Without Borders, Save A Child’s Heart, and Chabad Friendship Circle of Greensboro.

-Generous donors established the Klionsky Family Science & Literature Scholarship Fund and the Leon Levine Foundation Scholarship Program. The current parent body increased their annual giving by 15.4% over last year. And the Academy was the recipient of the ongoing support of the Steinhardt Foundation for Jewish Life and Michael & Judy Steinhardt. Thank you to all!

-Outstanding Achievement Awards and Scholarships were awarded to five rising seniors by Brandeis University, Mount Holyoke University, The University of Rochester, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

-Our College Counseling Office launched a new program, “Countdown To College,” a three day seminar for graduating seniors to help them better prepare for the challenges and expectations of college life. Topics included: Surviving & Thriving at College, Transitions, and Being Jewish at College.

-In athletics, the Academy had a banner year with the announcement of our first ever state champion in Track & Field, four All State athletes, 11 All Conference athletes and two graduating seniors who were named All Conference athletes for their entire four year Academy career.

-Over 3,200 hours were invested by students, faculty, and staff in providing social service, chesed, and tikkun olam projects to the local Greensboro community.

-In addition to our annual class trips to Charleston, Washington, D.C., and Israel, this year students also traveled to participate in the AIPAC Policy Conference, five Model U.N. programs in which students brought home winning honors, and the Schusterman Youth Leadership Conference.

-Our friends at Bernstein Wealth Management sponsored a major event in New York City on behalf of the Academy bringing out over 200 people to hear renowned Jewish philanthropist and Wall Street legend Michael Steinhardt and Fox Business News Anchor John Stossel speak about philanthropy and the American Hebrew Academy.

-The Admissions Team sponsored new student recruitment events in 14 countries, 21 states, and at 34 summer camps. It was an incredible year indeed and like all previous years, it raises the bar even higher for continued growth, prosperity, and success in the year ahead. The American Hebrew Academy provides a rich academic, Judaic, athletic, artistic, and cultural experience to an exceptional community of students, esteemed educators, and a dedicated staff, who demonstrate and prove to the world that “high school can mean so much more!”

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