The Felicia Penzell Weber Jewish Community High School, often referred to as The Weber School, is a

coeducational Mixed-sex education, also known as mixed-gender education, co-education, or coeducation (abbreviated to co-ed or coed), is a system of education where males and females are educated together. Whereas single-sex education was more common up to ...

and pluralistic Jewish community high school located in

Sandy Springs, Georgia Sandy Springs is a city in northern Fulton County, Georgia, United States, and a suburb of Atlanta. The city's population was 108,080 at the 2020 census, making it Georgia's 7th most populous city. It is the site of several corporate headquar ...

, United States. Weber has approximately 350 students, the majority of whom come from The Epstein School, The Davis Academy, Atlanta Jewish Academy, and other private and public schools.

History

Formerly named the New Atlanta Jewish Community High School or NAJCHS, the school opened with nineteen students in August, 1997. Classes were initially held in the in-town Jewish Community Center before moving to modular units at the Dunwoody campus of the Jewish Community Center. In September, 2003, the school was renamed the Doris and Alex Weber Jewish Community High School. In 2006, Weber held a dedication for their current facility at the corner of Abernathy and Roswell Road in Sandy Springs. Classes were first held in this facility in September, 2006. In November, 2014, the school was renamed the Felicia Penzell Weber Jewish Community High School, in honor of school co-founder Felicia Penzell Weber.

Academic program

Through an integrated college preparatory program of general and

Jewish studies Jewish studies (or Judaic studies; ) is an academic discipline centered on the study of Jews and Judaism. Jewish studies is interdisciplinary and combines aspects of history (especially Jewish history), Middle Eastern studies, Asian studies, ...

, the school offers different levels of classes, including college-preparatory, honors, and

Advanced Placement Advanced Placement (AP) is a program in the United States and Canada created by the College Board. AP offers undergraduate university-level curricula and examinations to high school students. Colleges and universities in the US and elsewhere ...

. All students are required to take seven courses each semester, with either (or both)

Hebrew Hebrew (; ''ʿÎbrit'') is a Northwest Semitic languages, Northwest Semitic language within the Afroasiatic languages, Afroasiatic language family. A regional dialect of the Canaanite languages, it was natively spoken by the Israelites and ...

or Spanish as a foreign language. As part of the curriculum for 11th grade English and in partnership with Kenny Leon's True Colors Theatre Company, Weber incorporates the literary works of August Wilson and requires all students to participate in the August Wilson Monologue Challenge. The school offers a January term, called "

Haskalah The ''Haskalah'' (; literally, "wisdom", "erudition" or "education"), often termed the Jewish Enlightenment, was an intellectual movement among the Jews of Central Europe, Central and Eastern Europe, with a certain influence on those in Wester ...

". Special elective classes are offered during this time. In partnership with the Alexander Muss High School in Israel program, 12th graders may participate in a six-week long trip to

Israel Israel, officially the State of Israel, is a country in West Asia. It Borders of Israel, shares borders with Lebanon to the north, Syria to the north-east, Jordan to the east, Egypt to the south-west, and the Mediterranean Sea to the west. Isr ...

and

Poland Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a country in Central Europe. It extends from the Baltic Sea in the north to the Sudetes and Carpathian Mountains in the south, bordered by Lithuania and Russia to the northeast, Belarus and Ukrai ...

during Haskalah. A Spanish

immersion Immersion may refer to: The arts * "Immersion", a 2012 story by Aliette de Bodard * ''Immersion'', a French comic book series by Léo Quievreux * ''Immersion'' (album), the third album by Australian group Pendulum * ''Immersion'' (film), a 2021 ...

trip is also offered to students in grades 10-12. Trips to both

Argentina Argentina, officially the Argentine Republic, is a country in the southern half of South America. It covers an area of , making it the List of South American countries by area, second-largest country in South America after Brazil, the fourt ...

and

Cuba Cuba, officially the Republic of Cuba, is an island country, comprising the island of Cuba (largest island), Isla de la Juventud, and List of islands of Cuba, 4,195 islands, islets and cays surrounding the main island. It is located where the ...

are offered, each trip rotating and offered every other year.

Arts and technology

Weber offers a variety of programs and classes in the fine and performing arts, including drama, dance, drawing, painting, studio art, ceramics, photography, chorus, and band. Classes are also offered in

3D printing 3D printing, or additive manufacturing, is the construction of a three-dimensional object from a CAD model or a digital 3D model. It can be done in a variety of processes in which material is deposited, joined or solidified under computer ...

, Java programming, video production, and mobile app development. The school has recently open an MIT inspired fabrication lab named The Daniel Zalik Academy of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Design (DZA).

Accreditation

The school is accredited by the

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) is a regional educational accreditor recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. As of 2022, the organization oversees ap ...

(SACS), and the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS). In addition, Weber holds membership in: * National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) * Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) *

Georgia Independent School Association The Georgia Independent School Association (GISA) is an association of private, independent, and parochial schools throughout the state of Georgia Georgia most commonly refers to: * Georgia (country), a country in the South Caucasus * Georgia ...

(GISA) * Atlanta Area Association of Independent Schools (AAAIS) * National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) * Southern Association for College Admission Counseling (SACAC) *

College Board The College Board, styled as CollegeBoard, is an American not-for-profit organization that was formed in December 1899 as the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) to expand access to higher education. While the College Board is not an asso ...

The Weber School is a founding member of the North American Association of Jewish High Schools.

Athletics

As of the 2016-2017 school year, Weber competes in the

Georgia High School Association The Georgia High School Association (GHSA) is an organization that governs athletics and activities for member high schools in Georgia, USA. GHSA is a member of the National Federation of State High School Associations. The association has 46 ...

(GHSA) in region 5-A. Previously, the school competed in the

(GISA). Over 75% of the students at Weber participate in the sports program, which includes cross country, volleyball, softball, basketball, wrestling, swimming, baseball, tennis, golf, soccer, and track & field. The School also offers weight training and yoga.

Other activities

The school offers a wide range of other co-curricular activities, including a literary magazine, DZA lab assisting, student council, student ambassadors, peer leadership, Peace by Piece Model UN,

Junior Achievement JA (Junior Achievement) Worldwide is a global non-profit youth organization. It was founded in 1919 by Horace A. Moses, Theodore Vail, and Winthrop M. Crane. JA works with local businesses, schools, and organizations to deliver experiential ...

, mock trial, National Honor Society, Moot Beit Din, Tikkun Olam board, math team, and robotics.

References

External links

The Weber School website

Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta
{{DEFAULTSORT:Weber School Private high schools in Sandy Springs, Georgia Preparatory schools in Georgia (U.S. state) Pluralistic Jewish day schools Jewish schools in the United States Jews and Judaism in Georgia (U.S. state) Jewish day schools in the United States Educational institutions established in 1996 1996 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state)