Rochelle Zell Jewish High School

In 2001, a visionary group of leaders in Chicago set out to create a new high school that would combine the very best of the humanities, sciences, fine arts and Jewish studies together. They envisioned a place where students attending day schools could continue their Jewish education during the years that have the greatest impact on their Jewish identity. These leaders foresaw a place where public school students entering high school could deepen their understanding and appreciation of their Jewish heritage.

Since the beginning, Rochelle Zell has earned a national reputation for its commitment to academic excellence. Every year, more Chicago-area families are discovering how Rochelle Zell’s outstanding faculty, integrated general and Judaic studies curriculum, vibrant community and exciting student life provides Jewish high school students with a unique opportunity to achieve their full potential.

Rochelle Zell Jewish High School admits students of any race, color, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity, or ethnic origin and grants them the rights, and offers them privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to all students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, nationality, sexual identity, gender identity, or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletics or other school administered programs. Guidelines of the Conservative Movement are observed.

Rochelle Zell Jewish High School first opened its doors in 2001 as Chicagoland Jewish High School, featuring a pioneer class of 26 students in rented space at Northwest Suburban Jewish Congregation in Morton Grove. Now in our 16th year, we are firmly established in our permanent Deerfield home where 179 students come to us each day from over 22 communities in the Chicago area and beyond.

As we have grown in size, so too has the reputation that Rochelle Zell has established for the excellence of its students, its faculty, and its rich program of Jewish and general studies, extra-curricular activities and athletics. But even as we have grown, certain fundamentals remain unchanged – the warmth and intimacy of our community, the close and caring relationships between teachers and students, and our commitment to the intellectual, spiritual and ethical growth of each student. The individual journeys of our students are personal ones, to be sure, yet they are framed by the cumulative wisdom and experience of our Jewish traditions and values. Students at Rochelle Zell do not merely absorb the wisdom of others; they acquire their own wisdom. As our students work to define their faith, their identities, their connection to communities of purpose and their place in the world, they construct personal blueprints for living Judaism as responsible and involved citizens in the modern world.

Over 425 students have graduated from our school over the years and they are now making their mark on their colleges and universities of choice, and in the world beyond. Time and again, colleges that have accepted their first Rochelle Zell alumni reach out to us and ask whether there are any other students like the ones we sent their way. As our alumni community grows, we are gratified to discover that they are proud of and grateful for the many ways in which Rochelle Zell Jewish High School has prepared them to tackle the new challenges they face as independent young adults.

Rochelle Zell Jewish High School creates a culture of academic excellence that inspires our students to think critically and achieve their full potential, while preparing them to live Judaism as responsible and involved citizens in the modern world. The creation of the State of Israel is one of the seminal events in Jewish history. Recognizing the significance of the State and its national institutions, we seek to instill in our students an attachment to the State of Israel and its people as well as a sense of responsibility for their welfare.

General and Jewish studies are of equal importance and are usually reinforcing. Rochelle Zell integrates the wisdom of our heritage and values with the sciences, humanities, and the arts. The learning environment emphasizes creativity and critical thinking in both general and Jewish studies classes. The ability to question is embraced and valued.

Students take general studies classes with their grade-level peers. Jewish studies classes are tracked by Hebrew language level and ability to interpret texts. Rochelle Zell Jewish High School makes Talmud/Torah study accessible to all students by offering classes instructed in both Hebrew and English. Jewish studies at Rochelle Zell has a track for students coming from a Jewish day school background and a track for those who have attended public school.