Principal's Message

Solomon Schechter Middle School of Nassau County is a safe, child-centered school providing a planned transition from the protective, guided environment of the elementary school to the more departmentalized high school. Creating a caring, learning community is the foundation of our mission. Students thrive in positive settings where they can meet challenges and explore their interests with the guidance of a trained staff, who represent the perfect blend of veteran excellence with youthful exuberance and energy. In an atmosphere that is physically and emotionally safe, the middle school student will develop the attributes to become a life-long learner.

At our Middle School, we encourage open and ongoing communication with parents, understanding that by working together, our partnership will produce confident, successful and happy students.

As a Conservative Jewish School, we stress the importance of both General and Judaic Studies. We have dedicated club times for our students, diverse extra-curricular activities, arts, music and drama, computer classes, special programs, and more. At Schechter, you are not only joining a school, but a community that studies together, prays together, and plays together. As our sage Hillel aptly put it: "If I am not for myself, then who am I, and if I am only for myself, then what am I, and if not now, then when?" We stress individualism, community, and social action based on the principles of our faith.

Jewish tradition guides our curriculum, our calendar, and our daily schedule. Through the study of the Hebrew language and Jewish tradition, our students strengthen their identities as Jews, and their connection to the Jewish people world-wide and the State of Israel. Our students are challenged to reflect on the moral dilemmas of our time and develop a personal ethic of compassion and social responsibility. Through the study of Torah, of Talmud, and the mitzvoth, we endeavor to instill a love of Judaism and our traditions.

One of our prized programs is the "Mechina" program. This program is designed for the student coming from the public system with little or no knowledge of Hebrew or Bible. In these two courses, students have a dedicated classroom and a special teacher who works with them on their level, helping them acquire Hebrew language and Bible skills, with the ultimate goal of integrating them into our regular Hebrew and Bible classes.

Solomon Schechter Middle School is dedicated to offering interdisciplinary programs and different modalities of learning. We strive to foster academic excellence and a strong Jewish identity within a caring community. It is a vibrant and exciting place to learn. Please join us in our continuing effort to learn, grow and flourish.

Allan Dalfen
Principal