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Academics

DRS strives for academic excellence in both Judaic and General Studies. We are committed to the spiritual and academic growth of each one of our students. Our academic program is designed to provide our students with a comprehensive education, emphasizing the development of critical thinking skills, research skills and written and oral expression. Academic preparation of our students for admission to institutions of higher learning of their choice is a primary goal.
 
JUDAIC STUDIES
The goal of the Limudei Kodesh program is to develop proficient lifelong learners. Torah study is geared towards instilling in our talmidim a love of learning, inspiring a desire to grow in Torah and yirat shamayim, establishing strong rebbe-talmid relationships, and teaching an approach to life within a torah framework. Strong emphasis is placed on teaching the skills that enable our talmidim to independently comprehend and analyze texts and their meforshim.  Limud Torah combined with the overall religious atmosphere within the Yeshiva promote a keen sense of awareness of mitzvot bain adam l’chavairo, an appreciation for tefila and kavanah, as well as the importance of chessed and community service. Developing a commitment to Medinat Yisrael is a primary goal of our Yeshiva.  
 

GEMARAH

The Study of Gemara is the primary focus of our limudei kodesh curriculum. During the ninth and tenth grade years, shiurim center on teaching how to read fluently and understand the text, developing vocabulary, identifying talmudic laws and concepts, and understanding the flow of the question and answer of the sugya. Classes focus on clearly reading, understanding, and analyzing rishonim. The rudiments of lomdut, talmudic thought, and independent chavruta study are introduced as well.  In the eleventh and twelfth grades, more focus is placed on analysis of rishonim, but the text will still be of primary importance. Chavruta is standardized on a daily basis. In twelfth grade, talmidim will have the opportunity to join the Honors Bait Medrash track that extends the learning hours and provide a forum to finish the year’s masechta. During all years, there is a bekiut program to help talmidim acquire knowledge in related topics, as well as incentives for projects of independent study, such as mishnayot study or bekiut gemara. Additionally, we offer voluntary shiurim before, during, and after school.  

 

HALACHA

Halacha is studied from the classical sources of Jewish Law such as the Mishnah Berurah, the Chayei Adam, the Aruch Hashulchan, and others. In addition to the laws of each Yom Tov which are studied before that holiday, the curriculum includes Hilchot Tefila for the ninth grade, Hilchot Shabbat for the tenth grade, Hilchot Yom Tov in the eleventh grade, and Mitzvot Hateluyot Ba’aretz in the twelfth grade.  Emphasis is placed on knowing where to  reference various types of halachot as well as knowing the laws themselves.

 

CHUMASH

The Chumash curriculum is designed to familiarize each talmid with text and meforshim, as well as the various lessons and hashkafik topics found in the pesukim. Special attention is given to the different approaches to exegesis taken by the various meforshim. Freshmen study Bereishit, sophomores study Shemot, juniors Bamidbar, and seniors study Devarim. While the lower grades focus more on Rashi, the eleventh and twelfth feature in-depth analysis of the Ramban, Seforno, Ibn Ezra, and others. Chumash is studied by topic, as opposed to a pasuk by pasuk approach. There is a bekiut component as well that familiarizes the student with the entire sefer being studied.

 

NACH

The Nach program provides both a conceptual approach and bekiut in Sifrei Neviim Uketuvim.  The approach is a topical one, and an attempt is made to link various sefarim with current events.  The ninth grade learns an overview of Yehoshua, Shoftim and Shmuel, the tenth grade studies Melachim, the eleventh grade learns Yirmiyahu, Yechezkel, Chaggai, Zecharia and Malachi, while the twelfth grade studies the Chamesh Megilot. Emphasis is placed on the text, the lessons to be learned, as well as understanding the historical background of the time period in which each Navi prophesied.

 

MUSSAR

Regular periods are set aside each week for discussion and in-depth learning of seforim that deal with personal character improvement and religious development. Texts used are Messilat Yesharim, Pirkei Avot, Alei Shur, Shaarei Teshuva, Chovat Hatalmidim, and many others. Focus is placed on giving modern, practical applications of character flaws, and analysis on the causes of and solutions to these challenges. Noted Rabbinic figures and Jewish leaders also guest lecture as part of our Mussar program.

 

JEWISH PHILOSOPHY

The 12th grade Jewish Philosophy course gives students approaches to address some of the more complex philosophical issues in Judaism. Some of the topics covered in the class are tzadik v’rah lo, emunah, faith, free choice and tefilla. The Kuzari, Derech Hashem and the works of Rav Soloveichik, are some of the sources used in this course.  We also address the relationship between body and soul, drug and substance abuse, health issues, and genetic screening.

 

MODERN JEWISH HISTORY

Modern Jewish History is a required one semester junior elective in 20th Century events that molded the Jewish world. We emphasize Holocaust study and the rise of the State of Israel. The origins of modern anti-Semitism, a chronology of the Holocaust, the Jewish response to extermination, Zionist ideology, the Yishuv, British mandate, modern Israel and the ongoing Palestinian conflict are among the topics covered. Films, lectures, and internet research complement daily class work.

 

 
GENERAL STUDIES
Our college preparatory program is designed to provide our students with a comprehensive academic program, emphasizing the development of critical thinking skills, research skills, and written and oral expression. General studies courses and requirements adhere to the standards of the Board of Regents and the Core Curriculum. Regents and AP examinations are administered at the end of the year.  The Common Core Curriculum has several shifts that DRS is emphasizing in all of its disciplines. This includes: a balance of informational and literary texts; a further emphasis on literary experiences in both social studies and science; an emphasis of textual based answers in both reading and written responses, and a stress on academic vocabulary.
 

ENGLISH

English I, II, III, IV

AP English Language and Compsition

AP English Literature

Creative Writing

L2 - Language & Literacy

L3 - Language, Literacy & Lexicons

Public Speaking

 

FOREIGN LANGUAGES

Hebrew Language I, II, III

Spanish I,II, III

Mandarin I,II, III

 

MATHEMATICS

Algebra I Core - Integrated Algebra

Algebra II Core – Intermediate Algebra/Trigonometry

Algebra II Workshop

Geometry Core

Geometry Workshop

Pre-Calculus

Comprehensive Calculus

Sports Statistics

Financial Literacy

AP Calculus AB & BC

AB Statistics

 

SCIENCE

Anatomy and Physiology

Chemistry

Earth Science
Environmental Science

Living Environment

Marine Biology

Honors Physics

Principles of Engineering

Principles of Physical and Chemical Sciences

STEM I, II, III

AP Biology

AP Chemistry

AP Environmental Science

AP Physics

 

HISTORY & SOCIAL STUDIES

Global History

Geography & Global II

AP World History 

U.S. Government And Economics 

AP U.S. Government And Politics

U.S. History 

AP U.S. History 

AP Psychology 

 

TECHNOLOGY

Introduction to Computers

Coding

Advanced Coding

Graphic Design

AP Computer Science

 

THE ARTS

AP Art

AP Music Theory

Introduction to the Visual Arts

Music Appreciation

 

PHYSICAL EDUCATION