The BMA Graduate Profile is an aspirational representation of what we strive to instill and imbue in each student as they graduate from our school. As on any great journey, we start with the destination in mind and work our way backwards to design each aspect of the path. Hence, the Graduate Profile is the destination, and in the pages that follow, you will discover each step of the students’ journey, by grade level and discipline, that all lead up to the ideal BMA graduate.
Character Development
We believe that every person has the capacity for Tikun Olam – to change the world – by acknowledging and sharing his or her own unique blessings with others.
Therefore, we develop students that…
- Exemplifies understanding, compassion, empathy and acceptance of self and others.
- Embraces diversity and individual differences while respectfully sharing his/her own personal opinions, beliefs and values.
- Engages in self-reflection, takes responsibility for actions and decisions, and proactively creates opportunities for self-growth.
- Takes an active interest and responsibility in social, communal and global issues.
- Exhibits modesty and humility in speech, demeanor and appearance.
- Takes personal responsibility to give back to society through tzedaka and community service.
- Understands and applies appropriate middot and derech eretz in everyday interactions and situations.
Academic Excellence
We believe that every person must take academic risks in order to reach his or her full potential.
Therefore, we develop students that…
- Take the initiative to learn and think independently.
- Exercise critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Consistently tackle challenging intellectual tasks.
- Embrace, celebrate, and learn from, mistakes.
- Genuinely test his or her own hypotheses, opinions and beliefs.
- Apply learned information to his/her understanding of the world.
- Create and utilize effective self-organization systems.
Religious Commitment
We believe that every person is created “b’tzelem elokim” – in the image of God, and has the responsibility to reflect God’s presence in the world.
Therefore, we develop students that…
- Demonstrates a knowledge and understanding of mitzvoth and a commitment to observance of the mitzvoth.
- Develops a personal relationship with Hashem through meaningful Tefilla and ongoing service of Hashem.
- Upholds him/herself and others as a “tzelem elokim”.
- Demonstrates a love of learning Torah.
- Understands, synthesizes, and analyzes Tanach, Talmud and other Judaic texts.
- Gleans life lessons from Tanach, Talmud and other Judaic texts.
- Understands, appreciates and observes Jewish holidays and life cycle events, along with their halachot and minhagim.
- Understands Jewish history and its impact on one’s Jewish future.
- Understands and appreciates the centrality of Israel to our lives.
- Embraces and masters Hebrew as the language of the Jewish people.
- Displays Jewish identity with pride.