WHAT IS THE GOAL OF BNOS CHOMESH?
Bnos Chomesh is a girls’ high school in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn. Its goal is to provide a warm and nurturing school environment where students can thrive academically, socially and spiritually through discovering their individual strengths. Bnos Chomesh students are encouraged to excel in all areas, even if they have not attained success in their previous school experiences. Our motto is: All around success, nothing less!
IS BNOS CHOMESH CERTIFIED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION?
Bnos Chomesh is a New York State Departmant of Education certified school. We offer a dual curriculum consisting of half a day of Judaic studies and half a day of secular studies. Our students receive a Judaic studies diploma as well as a New York State Regents diploma upon completing all of their school requirements, including passing a minimum of 5 regent exams.
WHAT DOES THE DAILY SCHEDULE LOOK LIKE?
Monday through Thursday school starts at 8:40 and ends at 5:00. On Sunday school starts at 9:30 and ends at 3:00. There is no school on Fridays. Lunch is from 12:30 to 1:00 every day. Each day consists of eight academic classes and one non-academic elective. Electives include: art, music, dance, sports, health, and creative writing, and the choices vary from year to year. Students are given a list of electives at the beginning of the school year, and they choose one elective per day which they will stick with for the year.
HOW BIG ARE THE CLASSES?
Class sizes are small, up to 15 girls per class. We focus very much on individual goals of academic, personal, and spiritual growth. Skill-based classes, such as math, English language, and Chumash are divided by level across the grades so that these classes may be even smaller.
DO YOU OFFER ANY SPECIALIZED SERVICES?
Students who have IEPs (Individualized Education Plans) from the DOE (Department of Education) receive their services in school unless otherwise specified by the parents. Services available in school are: P3 tutoring, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and counseling. P3 tutoring may take place in a one to one setting or in a small group of up to eight students. Small groups are more common, and are employed unless there is a specific need or a DOE mandate for one on one. Students who are not eligible for DOE services because they do not have an IEP, may receive some individual or small group tutoring based on an in house evaluation of their needs. These services may be provided by Title One government funds, or may require a parent to participate financially. If your daughter has learning difficulties or social/emotional struggles, and has not been evaluated through the DOE in New York State, we will work together to begin the application process.
WHAT DOES INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION LOOK LIKE IN BNOS CHOMESH?
A personalized education is the hallmark of Bnos Chomesh. We recognize that each student is coming to us with her own story and that there will be times when she requires “a little extra something,” whether that is an allowance to come late one day, exemption from a course, or a cup of cocoa. We strive to meet each student’s needs while still encouraging and supporting her through a structured high school learning experience. We encourage parents to apprise us of their daughter’s needs, whether they are ongoing, such as a medical condition, or temporary such as an out of town family simcha that necessitates an extra personal day.
DO YOU HAVE BNOS CHABAD AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES?
Bnos Chomesh has a full range of exciting programs that enhance the learning experience. From Shabbatons to trips to weekly study groups to farbrengens for special days, there is no shortage of fun and inspiration both in and out of school. We do a yearly musical production which serves to highlight our students’ many talents, whether they are artistic, musical, or super organized. We love when parents get involved in suggesting or organizing these programs!
DO YOU ACCOMMODATE OUT OF TOWN STUDENTS?
Bnos Chomesh has students from all over Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Long Island. Occasionally we accept students from more distant locations. The Rebbe has told us that Crown Heights is “Kan Tziva Hashem Es Habracha.” As we know, a bracha needs a keili in which to reside. When a child is in a protected environment of her own home, our work with her has a chance to achieve great results. She is a delicate keili that is guarded by vigilant parents. When a child is boarding, whether with friends or a family member, the level of supervision is unlikely to be the same as in her home environment. For this reason we do not take it upon ourselves to arrange boarding.
We do ask that you follow these guidelines when securing boarding for the student/your daughter:
-The boarding home is a relative of the parents (grandparents, aunt/uncle or married siblings of the student) or a close family friend whose home upholds the same standards as the student's home of origin.
-The boarding home maintains a Chassidishe atmosphere. There is no television, non-Jewish music, or laxity in Tznius or Kashrus standards.
-Internet filters are in place. These should be verified with the BCA administration.
-Strict curfews will be established and the “boarding parents” are capable of maintaining these curfews. This includes having strictly enforced consequences for any violation of curfews.
-The boarding parents will be consistently in touch with our school staff. They will take responsibility for the student in all aspects of her life during the time she is in Crown Heights.
-The out of town student is held to a stricter standard of behavior outside of school. This is because of the school’s increased level of responsibility to out of town students.
-All boarding homes are subject to the approval of our school’s administrative team.
WHAT DO BNOS CHOMESH STUDENTS DO AFTER THEY GRADUATE?
Bnos Chomesh graduates go on to a wide variety of post high school experiences. We strongly encourage a seminary year and have good communication with the seminaries around the world. Each student is assigned a senior class advisor in the beginning of her 12th grade year, who works individually to help her choose a post high school path that best suits her needs and abilities. Parents’ concerns are addressed early on in the senior year and we do our best to guide students in the direction their parents prefer. Also of note is the ongoing communication we have with our students post-graduation. We are in touch with 90% of our former students on a regular basis, which just goes to show that you can take the girl out of BCA, but you can’t take BCA out of the girl!
WHAT IF MY DAUGHTER HAS AN IEP OR A MENTAL HEALTH DIAGNOSIS?
The more we know about your daughter, the easier it is for us to determine whether our school is the right fit for her. If it is the right fit, having the information about a particular diagnosis, helps us meet her needs in the best way possible.
