Knowing that your child’s school is essential to developing the person they become, it is more important than ever that they are able to learn in a values-driven, academic community that sets them up for success in school and beyond.

In a supportive environment within a college-preparatory, diverse Jewish community day school, Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy provides an individualized educational approach to students in grades 6-12 while fostering a sense of connection, cultivating global citizens who are committed to bettering their communities and the wider world.

Values

Barrack’s core values of honor, moral courage, kindness, and community create an environment equally focused on character development and intellectual achievement.

“There’s a lot of emphasis on being a mensch, doing the right thing, and contributing to your community in a positive way,” says Kira Bub, parent of Michaela ‘26 and Sienna ‘28.

“Because this school really turns out a lot of mensches, the kids end up going out into the world and feel a pull towards doing good,” adds Jaime Alter, parent of Asher ‘30. “It’s happening here because of the environment they’ve created.”

Individualized Education

Studies show that small class sizes and individualized focus allow teachers to help each student develop a passion for lifelong learning. Small class sizes at Barrack allow students to receive individualized attention that teaches them how to have their own voice while working in an academically challenging environment.

“I think they’ve given them really good life skills like multitasking, being able to prioritize, understanding how to work with people that maybe you’ve never worked with before,” says Bub.

“Not only is it academically rigorous, but it’s also a place that is enjoyable to learn,” she adds. “I think they do a great job of preserving that safe space in the classroom, but allowing the kids to express their opinions and feel autonomous and independent.”

Community

According to a 2023 study published in Frontiers in Psychology, school climate and belonging are essential to students’ learning adaptability and motivation to learn. Barrack’s focus on community and stellar student outcomes are the proof.

“[Barrack is] masterful at bringing kids together and acknowledging that these kids are forming lifelong relationships, lifelong friendships, lifelong connections with each other as a community,” reflects Liz Berger, parent of Jacob ‘30.

“I think one of the differentiators at Barrack is the community that they’ve created,” says Bub.

Leadership

Barrack is at the forefront of inspiring the next generation to be informed and engaged leaders, cultivating a community where students are given ample access to leadership roles but also are regularly exposed to models of modern Jewish leadership on a global scale.

“I think [helping students become leaders] is something that Barrack does extraordinarily well,” says Berger. “When you set out the values of a community to be respectful, kind, nurturing, and also with a constant intention towards curiosity, you end up with leaders.”

Inclusivity

With a diverse breadth of Jewish identities represented, Barrack offers families and students the unique chance to engage with a rich variety of perspectives.

“We see students who align themselves with Orthodox Judaism, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist, and everything in between,” says Alter.

“What captures Barrack is just a sense of respect,” says Berger, “among students and between teachers and students, and there’s just this value of mutual respect and respect for each other’s traditions.”

“I think it’s incredibly important and a gift that your child can be somewhere during their formative years where they can be their authentic self and where they can actually figure out who that is, what that is,” adds Berger. “It’s an amazing thing to see.”

Hear more from families about their Barrack experience here. To learn more about admissions, please contact Missy Present, Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management, at 610-922-2350 or mpresent@jbha.org.