The Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School welcomed a full house at its Open House. Taking place on Motzei Shabbat, one could feel the energy throughout the building as prospective students and their parents participated in an enlightening night of programming that highlighted the distinct values embodied at RKYHS and the many opportunities both in and out of the classroom. In addition to the large turnout from the current eighth grade at the Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy, there were a large number of students from other schools and other areas including Bergen, Essex, Middlesex, Passaic and Union counties and Staten Island.
After mingling with faculty, administration and fellow prospective parents, the program began with attendees hearing from senior Abigail Rosenfeld. Rosenfeld shared her perspective on how RKYHS has offered her endless opportunities to develop and pursue her academic interests and passions, obtain leadership skills and get involved both inside and outside the classroom. Head of School and Klatt Family Rosh HaYeshiva Rabbi Eliezer Rubin reinforced how each student matters at RKYHS, and how as a “big, small school,” RKYHS offers a wide-array of opportunities but within a close-knit, small school environment.
The remainder of the program enabled parents to experience the RKYHS difference and values firsthand by participating in a sampling of courses offered at RKYHS. The program ended with a panel of current students answering questions from prospective parents. The students spoke about how the smaller size of RKYHS has enabled them to have their voices heard, bring student-led initiatives to fruition and to form close bonds with their faculty and classmates in other grades. For those who came to RKYHS from outside JKHA they detailed the ease of transition they felt upon coming in as ninth graders. The prospective ninth graders had their own set of programming where they heard about school-wide extracurriculars and chugim during a round robin with current students about student life and the RKYHS academic experience. They also attended sample classes on a wide array of topics.
The evening ended with the opportunity for participants to visit the expansive outdoor recreation spaces at RKYHS. Refreshments were served outside under the pergola in the Gottlieb Family Pavilion as prospective families interacted with student volunteers, RKYHS faculty and administrators, and other prospective families.
“We continue to draw from a wide catchment area, and the large turnout at our RKYHS Open House reflected that increased interest,” commented Allison Lyons, RKYHS director of Admissions and Community Relations. “Our Open House defined the values that set RKYHS apart. Our educational environment encourages students to connect to Torah, think critically and cultivate their curiosities, while our supportive faculty inspires excellence in each student by helping them discover their talents and surpass their own expectations. We look forward to being in touch with families to continue the admissions process.”
The school has already received many new inquiries and applications as more and more families come to experience the RKYHS difference. RKYHS looks forward to welcoming the class of 2026.
