FAQs

List of 16 frequently asked questions.

• Q. Is synagogue membership required in order to send our children to Beth Tfiloh School?

  No. As a community school, Beth Tfiloh has no such requirement. While Beth Tfiloh is affiliated with a Modern Orthodox synagogue, our students and their families belong to Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and Recontructionist synagogues. Some of our families are unaffiliated.

• Q. How much of the day is spent in Judaics classes?

  60% of the day is General Studies, 40% of the day is Judaic Studies.

• Q. What do you mean when you call Beth Tfiloh a "community school?"

  All Jewish children can feel comfortable at Beth Tfiloh; we welcome Jewish students from all branches of Judaism and all levels of Jewish observance and we have families from across the entire Jewish spectrum. The school is affiliated with a Modern Orthodox congregation. 35% of our families consider themselves Orthodox or Modern Orthodox. Also, 35% of our school families belong to the Beth Tfiloh Congregation.

• Q. What is the average class size and composition of the classes?

  Beth Tfiloh's average class size is 17 students.
  
  

  All Lower School classes are heterogeneously grouped except for Reading in 1st grade and Math in 2nd – 4th grades.
  
  

  All Middle School and High School classes are homogenously grouped by ability.

• Q. Are all Beth Tfiloh classes co-ed?

  Yes, except for physical education classes for Grades 5 through 12.

• Q. If my child is currently in public school, will he/she be behind in Judaic and Hebrew classes?

  All of our new students from public school will work with a Hebrew tutor over the summer to help them get prepared for the fall. The fee is $60/hour and the students meet with their tutors two hours each week.

• Q. What is the administrative structure of Beth Tfiloh?

  At the helm is the Director of Education who oversees all divisions of Beth Tfiloh — PreSchool, Lower School, Middle School and High School. Each division is led by its own principal.

• Q. What are Beth Tfiloh's transportation options?

  Although Beth Tfiloh does not provide bus transportation, parents in Howard County and Harrisburg, PA coordinate their own bus service. For more details, please contact Mrs. Laurie Kott, Director of Admission, at 410-413-2308.

• Q. Is financial aid available? Who is eligible, and how do we apply?

  Beth Tfiloh offers generous financial aid, which benefits 50% of our student body. All families are encouraged to apply. For more information see our Financial Assistance webpage.

• Q. In what ways are the parents involved in the school?

  Beth Tfiloh parents are encouraged to become active in the school community through the Parent Association, school board and committees of the school board. In addition, there are many opportunities to volunteer in the PreSchool classrooms and to assist at events and school-wide activities.

• Q. Does Beth Tfiloh have a dress code?

  Beth Tfiloh has a dress code for students in Kindergarten through 12. Students are required to wear Beth Tfiloh logo shirts, sweaters, or sweatshirts, and pants, skirts or jumpers in specific colors.
  
  

  Beth Tfiloh's goal is to create an environment that is professional and respectful of the fact that we are an educational institution where Torah is studied. These values are reflected in what our students wear and the way our students look.

• Q. Does Beth Tfiloh provide lunch? May children bring food from home?

  Hot lunch is available for grades K-12 or students may bring a dairy lunch from home.

• Q. What Shabbat and holiday and social/recreational programming is provided?

  An extensive calendar of Shabbat, holiday and social/recreational programs is offered for students and their families. See our on-line program listing on our Youth Center web page.

• Q. What adult education programs are available for parents who want to increase their Jewish learning?

  Our year-round schedule of programs includes classes, lectures, and an extensive menu of religious and cultural activities. These are well publicized, well attended, and very popular. For more information, see our Mercaz Dahan Center web page.

• Q. Do I have to have a kosher birthday party?

  We pride ourselves on creating an environment that is inclusive of all our children and respectful of all levels of religious observance. In this spirit, our parent leadership asks that student parties and celebrations be kosher in order to ensure that all students can feel welcome and can fully participate.

• Q. When should I apply?

  We have rolling admissions but encourage our families to submit their application by mid-January. The Admissions Office will mail out acceptance letters in mid-February.