Yeshiva and MTA

Yeshiva University High School for Boys, the Marsha Stern Talmudical Academy (MTA), has been located on the Wilf Campus for more than eighty years. At the onset of the Joel administration, one of the aims was to better integrate MTA into the Yeshiva community.

Historically, the relationship between MTA and Yeshiva University was based solely on shared geography and governance. The two were on the same campus and the history of the high school was intimately connected to the history of RIETS; both officially only affiliates of Yeshiva. Until recently, MTA's curricular, operational and visionary elements were not in any meaningful way related to the larger university mandate.

The new vision for MTA is as the 'lab school' of Yeshiva. Officials believe that MTA's proximity to the university is a reflection of the larger educational commitment to create a clear mandate as to what a graduate of the institution should look like.

Being a lab school often assumes the continuation of a student's education at the host university. In fact, sixty percent of the graduating seniors at MTA continue their education at Yeshiva. The other forty percent however, attend an array of schools, ranging from top competitive schools including Ivy League, state, and city colleges.

Head of School Rabbi Mark Gottlieb explained that the fact that MTA students have the opportunity to go to these "non-YU" schools might raise the academic standards at Yeshiva. Rabbi Gottlieb stressed that the university is supportive of MTA offering college guidance programs that have access to other universities, so that the boys have potential access to the most competitive schools.

Director of Undergraduate Admissions Michael Kranzler said that not every MTA student belongs at Yeshiva and that some do not fulfill admission requirements. However, with the improvement of the standards and environment at MTA, Mr. Kranzler is looking forward to even stronger enrollment of MTA students.

Additionally, the smaller size of the high school within the larger diverse population of the university allows it to be a microcosm embodying the values and goals of the university. The recognition of the high school as a vital component of the university allows the high school to contribute to the strategic vision of the university as a whole. Practically, Yeshiva sees it's hiring of Rabbi Gottlieb as head of school two years ago as an attempt to bridge the high school and college. Since Rabbi Gottlieb's arrival, the high school has tried to utilize Yeshiva resources to optimize students' educational experience. MTA's most advanced courses are using the university labs. Modeling itself on the YC Writing Center, MTA is creating a similar version for its students. The new writing center is seen as critical due to the new SAT writing intensive format.

Additionally, Rabbi Gottlieb has invited RIETS-MYP Roshei Yeshiva to visit shiurim and meet with MTA students to discuss various issues.

This year, Yeshiva extended its Presidential Fellowship Program to its boy's high school. Filling that role is Joshua Jacoby, an MTA and Yeshiva College graduate. Among his responsibilities, Mr. Jacoby runs several student activities including the National Model United Nations team. When speaking with The Commentator, Mr. Jacoby stressed the importance of the rapport he developed with the students. This program allows successful and energetic Yeshiva graduates to be mentors to aspiring high school students.

MTA's most driven students are given the opportunity to be exposed to Yeshiva undergraduate professors who are specialists in their fields. Currently, MTA seniors are working on writing projects with RIETS-MYP Rosh Yeshiva and YC faculty member Rabbi Jeremy Wieder. Other students are studying political and economic theory with economics professor Dr. Aaron Levine.

Many teachers in the high school also teach in the university. Dr. Gil Perl, associate Head of School at MTA was voted YC Teacher of the Year by students at the end of last year. Dr. Edward Berliner, a math and physics teacher in MTA teaches in the YC math department. YC Associate Dean Fred Sugarman has taught English in the high school as well.

MTA students have access to many facilities around the Wilf Campus. Most used by students is the Max Stern Athletic Facility.