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The Solomon Schechter School of Manhattan was conceived in 1994 as an initiative of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism and the rabbis of nine Conservative synagogues in Manhattan. A group of dedicated parents and community leaders came together to develop its mission, and in 1996 the school opened its doors with a kindergarten, housed at the Park Avenue Synagogue, under the leadership of Dr. Steven C. Lorch as Head of School.
The school continues to grow: in 2003 we opened our Middle School division, and in 2006, we saw our first class of graduating eighth graders move on to a range of prestigious Jewish, public, and private schools across the city. In 2007, our second class of graduates followed suit. Today, we are proud to have graduates representing Schechter Manhattan at the following high schools:
- The A.J. Heschel High School
- The Calhoun School
- The Frisch School
- Horace Mann Upper School
- LaGuardia H.S. of Music & Art and the Performing Arts
- SAR Academy
- Solomon Schechter School of Westchester Mac Schwebel Upper School
- Stuyvesant HS
- Trinity HS
Schechter Manhattan has been honored with numerous awards and noted achievements. In 1999 our school was awarded the national Solomon Schechter Award by the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism for its exemplary program of tefillah (prayer) education. Already in our first years, in 2002, the school received full accreditation from the New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS). Recognition for innovative curriculum has come from the Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education (PEJE) in 2000 and 2004. Known as an innovative school, researchers have been welcomed by Schechter Manhattan. In 2004 Schechter Manhattan was the subject of a dissertation at Teachers College at Columbia University for its distinctive culture of teacher acculturation and professional development. Additional studies have focused on early adolescent development (2005-06) and the role of parents in schooling (2007-08). In 2006 Schechter Manhattan was the recipient of the Blackboard Award for Outstanding Elementary School by Manhattan Media.
The school is chartered by the New York State Board of Regents; it is also a member of the Independent Schools Admissions Association of Greater New York (ISAAGNY).
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