Today we share with you important work that has been underway regarding the high school admissions process in our community.
Our community is blessed with a variety of excellent elementary and high schools led by talented and committed administrators who have guided parents and students through the admissions process for years. As a result, for the vast majority of students in Bergen County elementary schools, the high school admissions process is relatively straightforward. Each year, at least 98% of eighth graders enrolled in a Bergen County Jewish elementary school receive an acceptance letter from at least one high school on “letter day” (approximately February 15). Additionally, nearly 100% of students are accepted and enrolled in a Jewish high school by the first day of ninth grade.
However, for some families, a great deal of anxiety and worry have come to surround the high school admissions process. Each year, there are children who do not receive an acceptance letter together with their classmates. And while there are multiple factors that can play a role in those decisions, there can be tremendous pain and embarrassment for those children and their families. Additionally, the fallout from those experiences can bring out anxiety and worry in other families as well. In April of 2023, the RCBC convened a committee, consisting of rabbis and community lay leaders, to collaborate with the high school and elementary school heads of school to address this issue.
One important point of clarification is that there are two main challenges that are often discussed in reference to the high school admission process. The first impacts students who do not receive an acceptance letter on “letter day.” The second impacts students who don’t receive an acceptance to their first choice school. This committee is focused on the first challenge.
Over the past 16 months, our committee has worked with the leadership of the local elementary and high schools to address this issue. Thus far we have seen enhanced collaboration and communication
between the high schools, elementary schools and the RCBC. This has led to a more streamlined process and a systematic review of each year’s admissions cycle, which will allow for continual improvements year-to-year. There have also been efforts to streamline assistance and support for families who find their child without an acceptance on “letter day.” Most significantly, in 2024 there was a marked decrease in the number of children in our community who did not receive at least one acceptance on “letter day.”
Additionally, we would like to share that Rabbi Beni Krohn has committed to stay on as chair of this committee (after his term as RCBC president concludes in December) to ensure continuity as we continue to make progress. Your thoughts and suggestions are welcomed by Rabbi Krohn at [email protected].
Parents of middle school students who have concerns about the admissions process are encouraged to speak directly with their head of school. Parents may be given recommendations to help their child navigate the admissions process, and we encourage parents to follow through, as parental partnership plays a critical role in this process.
It is important to note that every high school has its own criteria, capabilities and resources which determine how it approaches the admissions process. Nevertheless, we are fortunate that all of the high school and elementary heads of school are committed to our community and to working with our group, and we look forward to continuing to work together for the betterment of all of the children and families in our community. This is only the beginning of our work together, and we look forward to sharing more updates on our progress in the coming months.
Wishing you and your families a successful beginning of the school year.
The Bergen County High School Admissions Committee
