School Board Approves Albert Einstein Academy in Los Angeles County

March 18, 2010 - PRLog -- SANTA CLARITA, CA – In a 4-0 vote (with one recusal), the Wm. S. Hart Union High School District on Wednesday unanimously approved the creation of the first Hebrew language charter school in California.  The Albert Einstein Academy for Letters, Arts and Sciences will open in fall 2010 for grades 7-9, with plans to eventually add grades K-6 and 10-12.

Hart district board members had deadlocked over whether to approve the school’s charter in a meeting in February, but after six weeks of hearing from parents and community leaders, the motion to approve the Albert Einstein Academy received four enthusiastic "Aye" votes.  Board member Gloria Mercado-Fortine recused herself, having previously provided consulting services on the project.

“This is an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of our children,” said Rabbi Mark Blazer, who submitted the initial proposal to the Hart district and worked with dissenting Board members to ultimately win their approval. “Courses will be designed with the objective of preparing every student to attend the best colleges and universities in the world.”

The emphasis of the Einstein Academy will be on forging students into productive, responsible citizens in an increasingly interdependent global economy.  

Learning to speak multiple foreign languages is an important key to accomplishing this goal. Students will be required to study either Hebrew, Arabic or Spanish, and have the option to learn a second language, choosing from among Hebrew, Arabic, Spanish, Latin and Greek.

Although the Hebrew language will be taught, Blazer emphasized that as a publicly funded school, the Einstein Academy will be open to everyone and there will be no religious courses offered.  “The Hebrew language is rich with culture and history,” he explained, “but this is definitely not a Jewish school.”

While there are a handful of other Hebrew language charter schools located throughout the country, Blazer noted that the Einstein Academy is the first Hebrew language high school in the United States.

Principal Edward Gika said the school will seek out the best teachers and offer competitive salaries and benefits. He encourages local educators and those from around the country to contact him through the school’s website at www.ealas.org if they are interested in teaching opportunities.

By offering an interdisciplinary curriculum, aligned with the California content standards, the Einstein Academy will enable its graduates to enter postsecondary education with a breadth of knowledge across multiple fields of study.

Through a program that encourages independent thinking, leadership skills and lifelong learning, Einstein students will acquire the tools they need to succeed on global scale, beyond college and throughout life.

Parents wishing to enroll their children may apply by visiting the Albert Einstein Academy website at www.ealas.org.

Additional information may be found on the website or by contacting Edward Gika at 661-373-3286.

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The Albert Einstein Academy for Letters, Arts and Sciences is a nonprofit, co-educational, public charter school located in the Santa Clarita Valley.