is an opportunity for growth, exploration, and development.
Every day we provide our students with a top-quality, values-based education designed to foster academic success, promote lifelong learning, nurture individual passions, and encourage service to others. How do we do it? Here’s a glimpse into a typical day at The Leffell School.
Belle
Now in fourth grade, nine-year-old Belle has been part of our school community since kindergarten. She lives in White Plains and takes the bus to school each morning with her second-grade sister.
Belle’s day begins with mifgash boker (morning meeting) which utilizes the Responsive Classroom approach.
Belle learns to write a book review during Literacy class.
In Instrumental Music, students learn rhythm and how it relates to reading music.
Her class takes a break before lunch to enjoy the Lower School’s playgrounds, fields, and garden.
Ms. Gitnik gives Belle attention during class.
RYAN
For tenth-grader Ryan, whose busy schedule ranges from Honors Chemistry to E² to the soccer field, what sets the school apart is the kehilah (caring community) and the fact that “everyone has an opportunity to excel at something.”
Ryan takes Ms. Weiss’ Accelerated Tanakh class, where students study the Torah and discuss its relevance to the challenges of today.
Ryan’s class views a lab demonstration during Honors Chemistry.
In E2 (Engineering and Entrepreneurship), Ryan makes his Arduino presentation.
In the afternoon, Ryan attends Algebra 2/Trigonometry with Ms. Helfgott.
Ryan warms up with his teammates before a Varsity soccer game.
nathaniel
Thirteen-year-old Nathaniel, an eighth grader, lives in Scarsdale and takes the bus to school. Nathaniel is double accelerated in math, taking a tenth-grade geometry class in eighth grade, and he welcomes the challenges of his academic day. Of course, he also loves the challenges of being on the baseball and basketball teams!
Nathaniel begins each day with tefilah, including Torah reading on Mondays and Thursdays.
Nathaniel attends algebra-based physical science in the afternoon.
At recess, Nathaniel plays basketball with his friends in one of the Upper School’s gymnasiums.
During Israel Studies, Nathaniel’s class discusses the geographic origins of Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews.
ALISON
Sixteen-year-old Alison lives in New Rochelle. The eleventh-grader cites the personal connections she has with her teachers as one of the things she loves about our school.
Alison’s first period class is Advanced Hebrew with Avi Nahumi, who has taught at the school for over forty years.
In her English class, Voices in American Literature, Alison and her classmates analyze and discuss the readings in small groups.
Alison takes notes in 20th Century U.S. History with Mr. Modica.
Alison practices with her music teacher, Mr. Ehrlich. Last spring she starred as Rosa Bud in The Mystery of Edwin Drood and she is currently in the Juilliard Pre-College vocal program.
BENJAMIN
Second-grader Benjamin (Benny), who carpools to the Lower School from Riverdale, has an abundance of activities and classes to enjoy each school day, but he says his favorite subjects are Judaics and Social Studies.
In Literacy, Benny and his classmates engage in an exercise in descriptive writing designed to encourage a sense of community in the classroom.
In Hebrew class, students are split into small groups. Their minds are challenged with language cards.
After lunch, Benny enjoys connecting with friends during recess on the playground.
Benny’s Media/Technology class introduces early coding ideas through a learning game that combines instruction and movement.
ELIANNA
Senior Elianna, 17, drives herself to school from Teaneck, NJ. She specifically chose to attend high school at Leffell because of our “welcoming community,” she says, and truly appreciates the acceptance and kindness she feels on campus.
In Honors Calculus, Elianna’s class reviews mathematical models.
Before lunch, Elianna and Associate Director of College Counseling Rose Weinstein meet with a college representative.
In Jewish History, Elianna’s class works in pairs to study primary and secondary sources to solve historical problems.
Seniors in Elianna’s Forensic Science class with Ms. Fei use science to examine evidence and solve crimes.
