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Hebrew Language Academy Charter School

Grades: K-8
Staff Pick
2186 Mill Avenue
Brooklyn NY 11234
Phone: 718-377-7200

Our Insights

What’s Special

Children learn Hebrew; emphasis on science; diverse staff and student body

The Downside

Not near the subway

The Hebrew Language Academy Charter School (HLA), which offers daily lessons in modern Hebrew is a calm and friendly school. Perhaps surprisingly, the school is ethnically mixed and teachers, too, represent all different ethnicities and religions.

As a publicly financed charter school, HLA is a secular organization that is not affiliated with Judaism. Children do not study religion or learn Jewish prayers, but they do learn Israeli dances and songs in Hebrew. Students study the history and culture of Israel, but they also study other cultures and have a strong grounding in American history and government.

The school was founded in 2009 with the backing of Michael H. Steinhardt, a retired hedge fund manager and philanthropist who is a strong supporter of Israel and Jewish causes. His daughter, Sara Berman is the chairman of the school's board of directors.

Classrooms are cheery spaces, nicely decorated with plenty of books and supplies; elementary grade rooms have colorful rugs where children gather for lessons. In classes we visited, there were two or three adults on hand to work with children one-on-one or in small groups of students. For instance, during 4th grade math instruction, four teachers work with three classes of students who are broken up into groups by skill level. The school has two literacy specialists who work individually with children needing extra support.

Instruction is a blend of class-wide, group and independent work. Students may read and discuss books or solve math problems together. Older students may research and write on their own, but collaborate for in-depth projects such as 7th-graders working in groups to compile booklets and elaborate charts demonstrating their grasp of rational numbers.

Hebrew is taught in all grades for one period each day and, similar to math instruction, teachers divide children up into small groups so kids can learn at their own pace. For instance, students who transfer to HLA in, say, 3rd or 6th grade with no prior exposure to Hebrew dont feel behind in lessons. Instead they learn with other beginners of a similar age. Likewise, those who advance quickly are grouped with other fast learners. All other subjects are taught in English.

Spanish is taught beginning in the 7th grade.

In addition to daily science in all grades, elementary school students take a weekly STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) class, which emphasizes hands-on projects such as building and experiments. Middle school students raise trout in the science room and have a weekly lab period. All students visit the New York Hall of Science to do fun projects in their Maker Space.

Students also take art, music, and gym. Through a partnership with Playworks, middle school students are trained to help out during the elementary school recess. Theres a large stash of Rubiks Cubes on hand for students to play with during lunch.

Tucked in a way on an industrial lot, HLA is housed in a former factory building that was renovated into a sleek, contemporary facility with high ceilings, wide hallways, a gymnasium and an outdoor space for recess. It is not located near any subway lines, but there are several bus stops within a few blocks of the school.

After-school activities such as sports, chorus and chess run onsite until 4: 30 pm. The Kings Bay YM-YWHA runs extended time activities through 6 pm for a fee.

SPECIAL EDUCATION: There is an ICT class on each grade. The school employs two social workers: one serving the lower and the other the upper grades.

ADMISSIONS: Priority to residents of District 22 and siblings of current students. The school accepts applications for students entering kindergarten though 6th grade. (Laura Zingmond, November 2016)

Read more

School Stats

Citywide Average Key
This school is Better Near Worse than the citywide average

Is this school safe and well-run?

From the 2020-21 NYC School Survey

How many students say they feel safe in the hallways, bathrooms and locker rooms?
83%
80% Citywide Average
How many students think bullying happens most or all of the time at this school?
53%
56% Citywide Average
How many teachers say the principal is an effective manager?
93%
78% Citywide Average

From the 2019-20 NY State Report Card

How many students were suspended?
0%
1% Citywide Average

From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide

How many teachers have 3 or more years of experience teaching?
67%
82% Citywide Average
Years of principal experience at this school
2.0

How do students perform academically?

From the New York State 2022-2023 Assessment Database

How many elementary school students scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
56%
53% Citywide Average
How many elementary school students scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
60%
50% Citywide Average
How many middle school students scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
49%
52% Citywide Average
How many middle school students scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
47%
57% Citywide Average

From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide

How many 8th-graders earn high school credit?
2%
39% Citywide Average

Who does this school serve?

From the 2022-23 Demographic Snapshot

Enrollment
627
Asian
2%
Black
68%
Hispanic
7%
White
21%
Other
2%
Free or reduced priced lunch
76%
Students with disabilities
18%
English language learners
17%

From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide

Average daily attendance
91%
90% Citywide Average
How many students miss 18 or more days of school?
31%
38% Citywide Average

How does this school serve special populations?

From the New York State 2022-2023 Assessment Database

How many students with disabilities scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
13%
27% Citywide Average
How many students with disabilities scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
18%
21% Citywide Average
How many English language learners scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
46%
17% Citywide Average
How many English language learners scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
54%
12% Citywide Average


For more information about our data sources, see About Our Data · More DOE statistics for this school

Contact & Location

Location

Midwood (District 22)
Buses: B3, B100

Contact

Principal
Chelsea Halpern

Other Details

Shared campus?
No
This school is in its own building.
Metal detectors?
No

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