Hillel Yeshiva High School

Guidance

Israel guidance and College Entrance Requirements

It is recommended that all students review the requirements for colleges where they would like to apply. The College Guidance Department of Hillel Yeshiva High School will meet with students periodically during all four years of High School. Parents are invited to attend any of these meetings. It is strongly recommended that parents attend the meetings that are scheduled during the student’s Junior and Senior year.

Our Collegue Guidance Director, Dr. Benjamin Leibowitz, provides personal guidance throughout the entire college admissions process and meets regularly with parents and students to provide information and support to help students achieve the goals that they have set for themselves. To advocate effectively for each student, Dr. Leibowitz communicates regularly with College Admissions Officers and participates in professional activities at the University level.

Rabbi Tzvi Pittinsky and Mrs. Karen Hochhauser comprise our Yeshivot and seminaries in Israel guidance staff. They advise students and parents regarding study options in Israel. Their familiarity with the yeshivot and seminaries and our students allows them to best optimize the students personal Torah growth.

Most colleges review the following criteria to determine admission to their school:
Grades - the high school transcript
SAT scores
The personal statement (essay)
Extra-curricular participation
Special talents
Teacher recommendation
A.P. and Honors courses

Students should check college catalogues for specific entrance requirements. Students are urged to take as challenging an academic program as possible and meet with the Director of College Guidance for planning and direction.

Learning Support

We, at Hillel Yeshiva High School, are particularly proud of our learning support program that we offer to assist students who may be struggling academically. Our full-time learning specialist, Mrs. Chaya Kahn, works with student one- on-one to help them "learn how to learn" - to remediate in areas of study skills, conceptualization, organization and self- monitoring. Mrs. Kahn monitors the progress of students who struggle in school so as to keep the parents apprised of their child's progress, and to help the students see the overall picture of their progress in each class. Mrs. Kahn also serves as a resource for teachers who may need some advice about how to address different learning styles in their classrooms.

In consultation with our School Psychologist, Mrs. Kahn also provides support for classified students. She serves as the school’s liaison to the Monmouth Ocean Educational Services Commission ensuring that our students receive the services to which they are entitled through P.L. 192-193 and IDEA. She attends all Child Study Team meetings assisting in developing an Individualized Service Plan for each child.

School Psychologist

The emotional support that our students receive at Hillel Yeshiva High School is second to none. We believe and understand that a student has emotions, aspirations and dreams, and does not leave his/her emotional life at home when coming to school. Therefore, Dr. Daniel Herrmann, the School Psychologist, will serve as a resource for teachers, parents and students who are facing any social/emotional, academic or behavioral difficulties. He will meet with students individually to discuss any problems being confronted. Freshmen and new students will meet routinely with Dr. Herrmann to ensure adjustment to school. Other students will be met with based upon referral by a parent, teacher or the student requesting a meeting him/herself. Based upon consultation with parents, teachers and students the psychologist will make recommendations for intervention. He will also monitor the progress of the students ensuring the success of the intervention. The psychologist will also notify teachers of any changes or concerns in a child’s life about which they should know. If a child faces academic distress, the psychologist will conduct an informal screening to determine a plan of action- including further evaluation and/or working with our Learning Specialist. He will work hand in hand with the Learning Specialist to ensure that all accommodations the child needs are implemented. He will sit with teachers and parents to develop a consistent school and home plan to meet the student’s emotional needs.

The psychologist will also serve as a resource for parents on any issues concerning their teens, and parents are encouraged to be in contact with him whenever needed. He will also serve as a resource for parents for outside counseling options if more intensive support is needed. In addition to intervention, the psychologist will be involved in Prevention- through the Emotional Curriculum. Throughout the year, programs and workshops for students, faculty and parents are coordinated that target facets of the teen's life.

Standardized Tests

PSAT/SAT, SAT II, Advanced Placement and ACT Assessment Tests - Students will have the opportunity to take three types of standardized tests. All three of the testing programs are administered by the Educational Testing Service.

The first is the PSAT/SAT program. Students take the PSAT, covering mathematical skills and verbal skills in October of their sophomore and junior years. The test taken in the junior year is used to determine eligibility for the Merit Scholarship program. The PSATs are followed by the SATs in the spring of a student's junior year and fall of his/her senior year. More information about these tests will be provided to students and parents by Dr. Leibowitz.

Students may take the SAT II tests (formally known as the College Board Achievement Tests) in a number of individual subjects. May or June are the preferred times to take these exams.

Advanced students will also have the opportunity to take college level Advanced Placement courses in their junior and senior years. Students in these courses may take a standardized test to earn college credit. These tests are given in May.