What is TORAH HIGH?

Torah High is an allied agency with the Jewish Student Union, Seattle NCSY, & a proud beneficiary of the Samis Foundation. We are a NAAS provisionally accredited after school Jewish studies program for public school students in grades 8-12. Students receive high school credit in Religious Studies, Hebrew Language, Philosophy, and more through Torah High. Torah High is scheduled to be fully accredited in January making all the 1st semester’s courses retroactively accredited by Washington State Board of Education.

Philosophy:

Torah High’s mission is to offer exceptional Jewish studies courses – for credit – to public high school students.

Torah High provides meaningful and engaging Jewish learning experiences for teens, encouraging connection to the Jewish community, incorporating Jewish knowledge and values in students’ daily lives, fostering identification with and support of Israel, strengthening positive Jewish identity, developing understanding and respect for the diversity of the Jewish community, and developing Jewish literacy.

Torah High offers a variety of  courses, including Hebrew, Leadership and Philosophy and an array of University preparatory classes. Students choose one day a week for a 2.5 hour session where they are engaged in learning from a young and dynamic team of educational professionals.

Why Torah High?

Torah High is the only program in Seattle that offers Jewish teens the ability to take Jewish studies courses and receive approved and university-accepted credits towards high school graduation. Using a proven formula of classroom hours and experiential Jewish education, Torah High seeks to instill within your teen…

• Meaningful, engaging Jewish experiences
• Increased identification with and support for Israel
• Respect for the diversity of the Jewish community
• Connection to the Jewish community, ensuring Jewish continuity and commitment to Jewish involvement in their adult years
• The ability to incorporate Jewish knowledge and values in their everyday lives
• and so much more…

All Torah High courses are taught by highly qualified and dynamic instructors who have tremendous experience working with teens and understand the diversity inherent to our community.

Torah High has a strong commitment to innovation – implementing new curricula and educational models that engage and inspire your teen. We understand that contemporary teens demand new and dynamic modes of education in our increasingly interconnected and fast-paced digital world.

Torah High is Easy and Convenient for Parents

Transportation will be determined based on demand. The cost for Torah High registration is minimal (though there may be additional fees for out-of-classroom events and programs.)

Torah High works!

Torah High is a proven program that has exceeded all expectations in Toronto and Ottawa and has already seen tremendous success in Seattle. An independent study was conducted by Dr. Randal F. Schnoor at York University to assess the Jewish impact of Torah High. The study reported that Torah High had a tremendous Jewish impact on participants:

• More than 70% of respondents reported feeling a stronger sense of Jewish identity as a result of their experience at Torah High.
• 37% of students reported that they now engage in more Jewish study out of personal interest and are more active in Jewish organizations. 31% of students reported that they are more likely to become involved with Hillel or take Jewish Studies courses at university.
• More than 60% of students reported that since enrolling in Torah High, they are more likely to visit Israel.
• More than 63% of students reported that as a result of their experience in Torah High, they exhibit a higher level of morality in their every day life decisions.
• More than half or respondents feel stronger about the importance of marrying a Jewish person and providing their future children with a Jewish education. Over one-third reported feeling much stronger about these two matters.