Carmel Academy
Carmel Academy (formerly the Westchester Fairfield Hebrew Academy, WFHA) was a Jewish private school in Greenwich, Connecticut, serving grades Kindergarten through 8. Also including transitional Kindergarten [1] The school originally was located in Port Chester, New York.
In 2020, Carmel Academy announced its plans to close at the end of the school year.
History
The school opened in a rented space in
The school has been located in Greenwich since 2001. Originally, the school occupied areas within Temple Sholom, the largest synagogue in Greenwich. The school's physical education program consisted of weekly visits to the YMCA and basketball, played with a basketball hoop in the parking lot of the temple.[3] In 2005 it had 108 students. In 2006 it had 130 students.[2]
In the 2000s,
In 2006, Carmel school administrators decided to place a maximum enrolment of 325 students, with a maximum of two classes with 18 students each per grade, so that the school's students receive individual attention from teachers. As of 2009, the school has about 230 students.[4]
The school received its final name in 2011.[5]
In 2020, Carmel Academy announced that it would close down at the end of the school year. A letter from Carmel referred students to the Leffell School, stating that there would be integration of Carmel programs there, although Leffell stated that Carmel was simply closing and that it was not merging into Lefell.[6] Leffell was to take many of the students at Carmel.[7]
The Brunswick School, which was scheduled to acquire the Carmel Academy site, planned to convert it into a preschool and housing for employees. The Japanese School moved into another facility in Greenwich.[8] Brunswick acquired the former Carmel Academy site in September 2023.[9]
Campus
The campus, the former
Curriculum
The school had Judaic studies, language arts, mathematics, and science. The curriculum includes the history of the Jewish people, the Hebrew language, and information about Israel. The Hebrew language program teaches the language as a modern language, and students use literature, newspapers, poems, and songs to learn the language.[4]
The school used the Providing Alternative Learning Strategies program to teach students with language-based learning disabilities.[4]
Extra-curricular activities
Extra-curricular activities include a student newspaper, Chidon HaTanach Bible Contest, E2K, student government, and the Math Olympiad.[4]
In 2003 it had an exchange program with the Jaim Weitzman School in Buenos Aires, Argentina.[11]
References
- ^ " About Carmel." Carmel Academy. Retrieved on January 9, 2012. "270 Lake Avenue, Greenwich, CT 06830"
- ^ Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e f Berger, Joseph. "A Kinder, Gentler, More Kosher Greenwich." The New York Times. June 18, 2006. Retrieved on January 9, 2012.
- ^ a b c d "Westchester Fairfield Hebrew Academy offers Hebrew language program." Greenwich Time. August 31, 2009. Retrieved on January 9, 2012.
- ^ MacEachern, Frank (2011-02-14). "Greenwich Jewish school announces name change". Stamford Advocate. Stamford, Connecticut. Retrieved 2024-05-26.
- The Jewish Ledger. 2020-02-12. Retrieved 2022-02-11.
- ^ Kroeker, Jo (2020-02-13). "Greenwich's Carmel Academy to close". Greenwich Time. Retrieved 2024-05-26.
- ^ Marchant, Robert (2023-03-30). "Greenwich's Brunswick School plans to create faculty housing, daycare center at former Carmel Academy". Greenwich Time. Retrieved 2024-05-26.
- ^ "A Significant & Strategic Step Forward". Brunswick School. 2023-09-13. Retrieved 2024-05-26.
- ^ Backcountry Jazz. "World renowned Fairfield County jazz musician to lead fall benefit concert in Greenwich." Connecticut Plus. November 9, 2010. Retrieved on January 9, 2012.
- ^ Schneiderman, Ross (2003-08-08). "Cultural Exchange Helps Classes Broaden Their Borders". The Forward. New York City. Retrieved 2024-05-26.