Admissions

No Day School Background?

What is The Akiva Program?

The Akiva Program at The Leffell School is a dedicated pathway for high school students beginning their Jewish independent school journey, designed to provide foundational skills in Hebrew, Tanakh (Bible), Talmud (rabbinic literature), and Jewish ritual. In a supportive and inclusive kehilah (community), students build knowledge, confidence, and a strong sense of Jewish identity as they explore meaningful texts and traditions. Akiva prepares students not only for success in high school but also to thrive on college campuses as informed, proud, and resilient Jewish leaders ready to engage with the world and their communities.
In ninth and tenth grades, students study in focused Akiva classes that immerse them in Hebrew language and foundational Jewish texts, while exploring Jewish ritual and narrative in a welcoming kehilah (community). The program builds not only knowledge but also confidence, providing students with the skills to read and interpret texts and participate meaningfully in Jewish life. After sophomore year, students who are ready may transition into mainstream Judaic studies classes, joining peers with more extensive Jewish school backgrounds.

Alongside Akiva classes, students participate fully in Leffell School academics, athletics, and extracurricular opportunities, ensuring a well-rounded high school experience. By the time they graduate, Akiva students are equipped to enter college with a strong Jewish identity, prepared to lead, advocate, and navigate campus life with both pride and purpose. Merit scholarships and need-based tuition assistance make this program accessible to students from diverse backgrounds.

Akiva Merit Scholarship

The Akiva Merit Scholarships enable students who are new to Jewish schools to benefit from a Leffell School education.

  • Scholarships are available to students entering the High School who have not previously attended a Jewish school or who have been out of Jewish schools for at least five years. 
  • Multiple scholarships are available and typically average around $10,000 per year.
  • Each scholarship grant is issued for four years of high school. 
  • Recipients may still qualify for additional financial aid.
  • To apply for an Akiva Merit scholarship please contact Jackie Grosser.
Application Instructions
The Akiva Merit Scholarship application is supplemental to the Leffell School Admissions application. To apply for a merit scholarship, applicants are asked to submit a supplemental essay stating why they are interested in attending The Leffell School and why they should receive an Akiva Merit Scholarship. Applicants should also submit an additional reference from an adult. Both can be submitted to hsadmissions@leffellschool.org
Where Jewish Journeys Begin
and Jewish Leaders Emerge
For more information on the Akiva Program and the Akiva Merit Scholarship application process, please contact hsadmissions@leffellschool.org

UJA Day School Tuition Fund

We are very excited to announce that with the support of UJA-Federation of New York, we are taking a major step forward in affordability for families whose children are entering our school in grades 6-12, without prior experience in Jewish day schools. Click here for information about UJA’s Day School Tuition Fund, which is designed to ensure that entry to a Jewish school at the Middle or High School level is accessible to all families.
Lower School Campus (K-5)
30 Dellwood Road
White Plains, NY 10605
914-948-3111
Upper School Campus (6-12)
555 West Hartsdale Avenue
Hartsdale, NY 10530
914-948-8333
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