This year, Tucson Hebrew Academy (THA) is incredibly proud to see our 8th-grade class embarking on exciting high school journeys. Our graduates are heading to top schools like Catalina Foothills High School, the Arts Magnet Program at Tucson High School, The Gregory School, and five have been accepted to the nationally ranked University High School.
Our alumni continue to thrive in competitive high school environments, with many excelling in honors courses and even making varsity sports teams as freshmen.
Beyond high school, THA alumni are making their mark in the world. They own local businesses, make Aliyah, and pursue careers as doctors, lawyers, teachers, IT professionals, engineers, cantors, and professors. Many have even returned to THA as parents, eager to provide their children with the same meaningful and joyful education that helped shape their own futures.
This year, our 8th graders are embarking on an unforgettable educational adventure in Europe along with students from other Jewish Day Schools across the U.S. They’ll explore Jewish culture in Vienna, Prague, and Berlin. In addition, each middle school grade has its own unique out-of-state trip: 6th graders dive deep into marine biology in San Diego, while 7th graders explore civil rights in Alabama. These experiences not only enhance students’ education but also strengthen the bonds of friendship that last well beyond the classroom.
To kick off the year, the entire middle school traveled to Mount Lemmon for an exciting retreat. Students got to know each other and their teachers in the cool mountain air, enjoying s’mores, hot cocoa, escape rooms, hiking, and even an impromptu dance performance.
Next year, we will expand our Spanish program as required course work for our Middle School students, in addition to our current Hebrew offerings. We’re also developing a new agricultural and environmental science program, led by our own Master Gardener and Judaic Studies teacher, Lev Metz, as part of our commitment to tikkun olam (repairing the world). The program will include food waste reduction, water reclamation, and composting.
Our middle school science program is also soaring to new heights. This year, science teacher Jennifer Lehrfeld guided more students than ever to the Arizona State Science Fair. Congratulations to this year’s SARSEF winners, William Erman and Vivienne Rosen, who won both the SARSEF Excellence in Research Award and the Grand Award First Prize for their project, Battle of Brainless: Can Slime Mold Outsmart AI?
If you know any rising middle school students who would thrive in our close-knit community with individualized learning paths, we’d love to hear from you. You can reach out to Allison Weiss, Director of Admissions at aweiss@thaaz.org or by calling 520.529.3888.
