Frisch School

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Frisch School
Location
W. 120 Century Road
Paramus, NJ 07652
Information
Founder R. Menachem Meier and Alfred Frisch
Principal Dr. Kalman Stein
Enrollment

610 (as of 2005-06)[1]
Faculty 78.8 (on FTE basis)[1]
Student:teacher ratio 7.7[1]
Type Private High School, Yeshiva
Grades 9 - 12
Accreditation(s) Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
Team name Cougars
Color(s) Red and white
Newspaper The Struggle
Established 1972
Homepage www.frisch.org

The Frisch School, founded in 1972 by Rabbi Menachem Meier and Alfred Frisch, is a coeducational yeshiva (Jewish day school) secondary school located in Paramus, New Jersey, which adheres to the tenets and practices of Modern Orthodox Judaism. The school is named for founder Alfred Frisch who owned the land on which the original campus was situated prior to the school's inception in 1972.

The school has been accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools since 1992. Its accreditation expires November 1, 2012.[2]

As of the 2005-06 school year, the school had an enrollment of 610 students and 78.8 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student-teacher ratio of 7.7.[1]

Contents

[edit] Campus

For the 2007-2008 school year, Frisch moved to a new campus at 120 West Century Road in Paramus. Frisch purchased this site, 14 acres of land and an 115,000-square-foot (10,700 m²) office building, from Hewlett-Packard and renovated what had been an office building, constructing an 25,000-square-foot (2,300 m²) addition. The campus includes 38 classrooms, six laboratories, two gymnasiums, a two-story library, music and art studios, a Beit Midrash, and a publication room. Outdoors, the campus has a softball field, two tennis courts, and a soccer field encircled by a running track. Indoors, the building is wired for a modern computer network and cutting-edge technology.[3]

The school formerly resided at E. 243 Frisch Court in Paramus, on a seven acre plot of land. The Frisch Court property has not been sold yet. The School's IRS form 990 for 2006 which includes the school's financial information, and administrator salaries, is available at http://dynamodata.fdncenter.org/990_pdf_archive/221/221937461/221937461_200606_990.pdf.

[edit] History

Founded in 1972, by Abraham Kremer, Marvin Eiseman, Rabbi Menacham Meier and Alfred & Ethel Frisch, with a mere dozen students, the school has since grown to include over 650 students. The class of 2005 consisted of over 150 students, a number which is rapidly rising. The class of 2007 had 165 students. School administrators expect 200 students per class in the near future.

Rabbi Menachem Meier served as the school's first principal and was responsible for the school's early development. Rabbi Saul Zucker succeeded Rabbi Meier and served as principal for one year before Dr. Kalman Stein, the current principal, took the job in 1999. Under Dr. Stein's direction the school has experienced tremendous growth.

In 1975, The Frisch School's self-study team was required to “formulate a statement of philosophy for the yeshiva.” This statement has remained unchanged. The statement describes The Frisch School as a “unique educational institution... to promote the values and study of the Judaic heritage as defined and evolved in the [Jewish] Written and Oral Law.” In addition, the school promotes the “wellsprings of Judaic values...[which] are: (a) the dignity of the Human Being... [and] (b) The sanctity of the Jewish people.”

[edit] Courses

For the first two years at Frisch, a student's courses are set according to the school's core curriculum. This includes, for both years: A language (Spanish, French, or Latin); A hard science (Biology in 9th grade and chemistry in 10th grade); English; History (World History in 9th grade and American History in 10th grade); Mathematics (the course depends upon the specific track where one is placed); Hebrew Language; Torah (the Pentateuch); Nach (Nevi'im "Prophets" and Ketuvim "Writings"); and Talmud (Jewish Law).

In 11th grade, one may, or may not, take a language and has the option of taking further electives. Four Advanced Placement Program (AP) courses are offered every year to students. They are: AP Physics B, AP Art History, AP Statistics, and AP United States History. Further, many students opt to take AP English Language and Composition examination.

In 12th grade, as in 11th grade, a student may, or may not, continue with the language which they had previously been taking. Electives available to 12th graders are: AP Macroeconomics; AP Biology; AP Chemistry; AP English Literature and Composition; AP Psychology; AP European History; AP Physics C; AP Calculus AB; AP Calculus BC; AP Statistics; AP Spanish Language; AP French Language; Latin Literature; Music Theory; AP Studio Art; AP Art History; AP Computer Science A; Psychology; Astronomy; and more.

[edit] Extracurricular activities

[edit] Sports

Frisch is regarded for its athletic teams, which have won more championships than any other competing school in the Metropolitan Yeshiva High School League. There are fifteen sports teams in total, including baseball, basketball, hockey, wrestling, tennis, volleyball, soccer, swimming, softball, track and table tennis.

[edit] Academic Teams

Frisch has many academic teams including chess, debate, college bowl, Torah bowl (boys and girls teams), and business bowl team. Like the sports teams, most academic teams compete in the Yeshiva league.

[edit] Publications

The school composes and issues the following publications:

  • Acheinu - The AISAC (American Israel Student Activism Committee) publication, it includes relevant news regarding Israel and the Middle East.
  • Be'er Shavua - The weekly Parsha (Torah portion of the week) essay pamphlet
  • EishDat - The yearly compendium of divrei Torah, written by students and faculty
  • Kalliope - Kalliope is the annual creative writing and fine arts magazine.
  • Las Joyas - Las Joyas is the Spanish edition of the yearly foreign language magazine which includes Spanish, French, Latin and Hebrew compositions and poetry.
  • The Provocative - The student culture newspaper.
  • The Struggle - The monthly newspaper, it includes editorials, reports and even reviews of local restaurants.
  • The Yearbook - Published annually and distributed to all graduates, this publication serves as a lasting sentiment.

[edit] Clubs and Activities

Frisch has over forty clubs and activities. They include: Debate, Model United Nations, Model Congress, Political Science, Book Club, Film Club, Mishmar (bible studies club),Science Club , Engineering Club, Chess, Magic Club, Junior Statesmen of America, Israel Action Committee (A.I.S.A.C.), Darfur Action Committee, Finance Club, Yoga Club, Choir, Jazz Singers, Cooking Club, Knitting Club, Acting the Classics, Poetry Club, Comic Book Club, Dance Team, College Bowl, Mock Trial, Community Service (Chessed) Club, Improv Club, linking the Generations (L.T.G.), Photography Club, Torah Bowl, Chidon HaTanach (International Bible Contest), and many others.

[edit] Student Council

The Frisch School Student council consists of three class representatives from each grade and four members of an executive board, one of whom is president. Elections are held in May for executive board and for the class representatives of rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Freshman elect their class representatives in October.

[edit] Shiriyah

Once a year, the Frisch school has a week-long festival known as Shiriyah. Each team, i.e. each grade, competes in sports, trivia, hallway design, slow song, fast song, stomp, and video. Each grade is given a theme which must be worked into every presentation. Each grade has two generals, a boy and a girl, and at least four captains. Shiriyah culminates at the end of the week with the final presentation. Parents are welcome to see slow song, fast song, and the junior and senior stomps. However, only students and teachers see the videos and the freshman and sophomore stomps. Some videos and stomps from years past are available on YouTube. While students do miss some class because of Shiriyah, practically all classes are still held and students are expected to attend.

[edit] Post High School

Frisch Provides a college preparatory education and all students attend a four-year college after graduation. Additionally, a large proportion of the student body, varying from year to year, spends a year in Israel post graduation, prior to college. Nearly two-thirds of the class of 2007's 160 graduates are studying in Israel in their post-graduation year.[4]

[edit] Notable alumni

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d Frisch Yeshiva High School, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed April 7, 2008.
  2. ^ Frisch School, Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Accessed November 27, 2007.
  3. ^ Our New Campus, accessed October 12, 2006
  4. ^ Steinbach, Rachel. "Valedictorians have common elements, but their messages vary", Jewish Standard, July 6, 2007. Accessed July 8, 2007. "Of the 160 students who graduated from Frisch, 105 of them will study in Israel next year."
  5. ^ Mooney, John. "2 RHODES SCHOLARS, SO FAR -- A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION CHALLENGE", The Record (Bergen County), February 6, 1997.
  6. ^ Park, Pearl J. "HE LEARNS POLITICAL SCIENCE FROM FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE -- FRISCH SENIOR IS LOBBYIST", The Record (Bergen County), October 16, 1991. Accessed February 20, 2008. "Frisch School senior Ryan Karben has strong political convictions -- and an equally strong desire to advocate them."
  7. ^ Yellin, Deena. "Arthur Lenk", The Record (Bergen County), May 3, 1998, accessed April 16, 2007. "I grew up in Teaneck and graduated from Frisch Yeshiva High School in Paramus."
  8. ^ North Jerseyan named JTS dean, The Record (Bergen County) by Abigail Leichman, February 8, 2007
  9. ^ Sofer Sex, The Jewish Week, September 19, 2003
  10. ^ Bloom, Nate. "Noshes: Worth Checking Out", The Jewish Standard, June 29, 2007. "Spektor... went to middle school yeshiva in New York and, for her first two years in high school, she went to the Frisch School in Paramus."
  11. ^ Engelmayer, Shammai (October 26, 2007), “A dream come true”, The Jewish Standard, <http://www.jstandard.com/articles/3375/1/A-dream-come-true> 

[edit] External links