Frequently Asked Questions
Which schools do your students come from?
About 50% of our new students are enrolled in a Jewish day school prior to attending New Community Jewish High School. Our student body is comprised of students from over 50 public, private, and Jewish day middle and high schools.
What is the student-to-teacher ratio?
The average class size is 15 which allows for close connections between students and teachers and facilitates an enriched learning experience.
If my child does not have a solid Jewish background, will he/she be at a disadvantage?
No. The New Community Jewish High School student body is a blend of students from diverse Jewish backgrounds and experiences. Jewish Studies courses are taught with consideration of individual student ability levels.
Where do graduates from NCJHS attend college?
NCJHS alumni from our first 6 graduating classes have been accepted to over 200 public and private colleges and universities across the country! For a complete listing of college acceptances for the classes of 2008-2011, please go to www.ncjhs.org/academics/acceptances.php
Does NCJHS provide college counseling?
NCJHS provides highly individualized counseling throughout the entire college application process that reflects students’ interests, personality, and intellectual goals. Our college guidance department helps each student find their unique path. Whether this path leads to a campus within the University of California or California State University systems, an Ivy League university, a small liberal arts college, an art or technical institute, a college in Israel, a 2 -year community college, or the military, each student is supported and advised throughout his/her journey.
Does NCJHS offer Honors and Advanced Placement courses?
NCJHS offers 14 Advanced Placement classes and Honors courses in all subjects.
What athletic opportunities are available?
NCJHS fields 14 sports teams with multiple levels of competitions yielding 26 athletic teams. Our Jaguar teams have been a consistent CIF playoff contender, earned multiple league championships in a variety of sports, and received numerous sportsmanship awards. Students have been selected as League MVP’s and named to All CIF Division Teams.
Do you have a Performing Arts program?
Students participate in annual musical theatre and drama productions; visual and performing arts festivals; instrumental ensemble and jazz band performances throughout the community; choir performances; the annual JamFest competition; a national Israeli dance festival; and all-school talent shows.
My child has a passion for science. Are there science education enrichment opportunities?
Students participate in our Science Academy, an after-school enrichment program exploring the full spectrum of biological and physical sciences. Students are free to experience the enjoyment and passion, learn the art of technique, and practice the logical thinking that is born from countless inductive and deductive experiments. This year’s Science Academy offerings include Environmental Science, Health, Forensic Science, Marine Biology which includes a trip to Monterey Bay, Microbiology, and a Science Colloquium featuring guest M.D. and Ph.D. speakers who expose students to some of the latest scientific findings in their respective fields.
Are there learning opportunities beyond the classroom? Travel programs?
Yes. Our educational process is approached not only from the formal avenue of classroom instruction, but from the experiential and emotional path. Through our experiential education programs, students experience the world around them in a variety of local and national locations. Grade level trips highlight each academic year including the 9th grade “get to know you” retreat, 3 Israel exchange programs with Tel Aviv high schools featuring travel/study options for 10th graders, a Civil Rights tour of the American South for 11th graders, and a senior trip to New Orleans.
By whom is NCJHS accredited?
NCJHS is accredited by the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS), the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), and BJE: Builders of Jewish Education.
What is tuition? What additional costs should be anticipated?
Tuition for the 2011-2012 school year is $27,600. There are supplemental fees for items including, but not limited to, grade trips, the Shabbaton weekend retreat, Parent Organization dues, the yearbook, safety and emergency preparedness needs, and Hebrew textbooks. The 12th grade fees also include graduation costs. These fees do not include bus transportation costs, textbooks which families purchase directly from the supplier, athletic uniforms, school dances, or other social gatherings, and certain specialized field trips which may occur during the course of the year. Current year fees range from $1,360 for grade 9 to $2,610 for grade 12. Tuition and fees for the 2012- 2013 school year will be available after December 1st.
Is Financial Aid available?
Yes. The Board of Trustees of NCJHS is committed to providing a tuition assistance program to our families. We are proud that this program enables many students to attend NCJHS when they might not otherwise be able to do so. Through the wonderful work of the BJE, a limited number of tuition assistance awards for middle income families are available.
Is Hebrew a prerequisite or a required course?
Students do not need to speak Hebrew prior to enrollment. We have a program geared for students learning Hebrew for the first time as well as classes for students whose Hebrew skills range from beginning to advanced. Hebrew is a required course for all 4 years and our Hebrew courses satisfy the language requirement for the University of California and other colleges and universities.
Do you require the ISEE exam prior to admissions?
No. We review each applicant’s standardized testing from their current/prior school(s) as part of the admissions process. We are able to gather sufficient information from those tests without requiring applicants to undergo additional testing.
What modes of transportation and campus parking are available?
Families are encouraged to drive in carpools or to use our bus and shuttle transportation options which are offered at an additional cost. 11th and 12th grade students are permitted to park on campus and may drive other students when deemed allowable.
What does the daily schedule look like?
The school day operates from 8:00 a.m. until 2:45 p.m. Monday-Thursday; Friday dismissal is at 12:50 p.m. Each class meets three times a week, twice for 55 minutes and once for 75 minutes. Students have no more than five subjects on any day. A limited number of Advanced Placement classes have a meeting once per week at 7:00-7:50 a.m. or 1:00-1:50 p.m. on Friday. A few classes and co-curricular activities, and all physical education and athletic teams, convene at 3:00 p.m. Physical education classes generally meet 3 times a week for approximately 1 hour. Teams meet 4 times a week for 2 hours, more when travel to/from games is involved. Teachers hold office hours (a.k.a. bonus periods) 3 mornings per week for 30 minutes. These bonus periods also provide a time for extended sessions of many Advanced Placement courses. Meeting times on Wednesday and Friday are used for T’fillah, Town Hall Meetings, and Grade-level meetings. There is a lunch period Monday-Thursday, and a mid-morning nutrition break on Friday.
Do you have a dress code?
Proper school attire at New Community Jewish High School involves clothing that is neat, clean, in good repair, and sets a tone for serious learning at school. Clothing that is immodest or detracts from the learning environment is not allowed. The basic guiding principal is that clothes must be appropriate, safe, and reflective of the school’s core Jewish values. Additional details may be found in the Parent / Student Handbook.
New Community Jewish High School
Office of Admissions
(818) 348-0048
jzuckerman@faculty.ncjhs.org