At Merkaz, our daily routine is enhanced with numerous cultural and extra-curricular activities and clubs. Students may participate in such performance oriented groups such as drama, dance, and choir or specialty clubs such as computers, math, journalism and sports.

In addition, the school year is rounded out with numerous educational trips and Shabbatonim. Past trips have included the National Holocaust Museum, The New York Stock Exchange and many national parks.

Our frequent Shabbatonim offer a great opportunity for our students to enjoy themselves and solidify relationships with their peers and teachers in a casual, relaxed atmosphere.

The administration of Merkaz Bnos High School firmly believes that a successful student is one who has a well-developed sense of self and of the world around her. Accordingly, we have instituted an Extracurricular Enrichment Program that offers students a comprehensive range of activities designed to enrich the spirit and personality of each girl.

CLUBS

The General Studies department has a bi-weekly program, consisting of seven clubs including Science, Drama, Merkazette, (school newspaper), Perceptions, (school literary journal), Computer Mania, Sports, and Choir. At the beginning of the year, the students select which club they would like to join and are assigned accordingly, to the greatest degree possible. At the beginning of the second semester those who wish to switch clubs may do so.

The clubs each have a faculty advisor and student heads. The students look forward to clubs and enjoy this program very much.

During the club program, our math faculty also make themselves available to our students for individual or small groups tutoring or teacher conferences.

Periodically, the if the Merkaz Student Council recommends that a new club be established, in order to fulfill student’s interest, then every effort is made to accommodate their suggestions.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

All students are required to perform a minimum of eighteen hours of verifiable community service per semester. Each girl can choose from one of the following activities:

• Help for the home bound
• Hospital visits/candy stripers or aid in feeding patients
• Entertainment for nursing home patients
• Collection for toys/canned food for distribution to the needy
• Assistance at various functions of worthwhile service organization
• Quality time with special needs children
• Other charitable activity approved by the principal or a faculty advisor.

Participation in these altruistic endeavors does much to engender within each girl’s character sentiments of compassion and concern for the less fortunate. The students become ingrained with the concept that giving of oneself to others who require personal assistance is an uplifting experience which should be part of one’s everyday life.