Cooper Yeshiva High School for Boys

(CYHSB) was established in 1964 as an extension of the former Memphis Hebrew Academy. Created in response to a community and regional need for an Orthodox Jewish high school for boys, the school is committed to academic excellence in Torah and general studies, the State of Israel and providing warm, safe and nurturing environment for learning.

Our Philosophy

Each student is a natural learner, burning with curiosity about the world. It is the purpose of education to offer both structure and stimuli that will transform that curiosity into knowledge, skills, understanding and appreciation.

We recognize that each young man is unique and learns differently. We offer academic enrichment and remediation to meet the individual needs of each student. We also strive to enhance each student’s self-esteem, social and character development and impart ethical values and a sense of community responsibility. We encourage each student to realize his potential, intellectually and emotionally.

Our Goal

We understand that students have to compete in a very complex, highly technical world. Academic expectations and pressures are greater than ever, and as the moral climate presents more dilemmas, our goal is to imbue our students with a love of learning and the performance of mitzvot and a commitment to the Jewish people and the State of Israel. We view the school and its families as partners in this challenge. Our teachers, administrators and parents form a team dedicated to molding a new generation of Jewish leaders.

Faculty and Administration

Our highly qualified and seasoned faculty optimizes the classroom time available in our challenging dual curriculum. They strive to accommodate the individual learning styles of their students and understand their individual needs. These dedicated individuals also prepare our students for the PSAT, SAT and AP exams.  On a regular basis, rabbis and professionals who are experts in their fields supplement our exceptional faculty.  These guest lecturers enhance learning, promote skill building and expand our students’ exposure to different teaching styles. Our outstanding administrators have advanced degrees and impressive credentials, including many years of experience in the educational field.

General Studies Curriculum

Our demanding college preparatory curriculum, which consists of four years of each major discipline — English, mathematics, science and history, is tailored to individual students’ aptitudes and interests. At the end of four years, many students have completed college level advanced placement courses. In addition, we offer electives in public speaking, law, theater arts and creative writing. Our curriculum is carefully planned to meet or exceed nationally published standards in each subject area. 

Judaic Studies Curriculum

Our Judaic studies curriculum includes Talmud, Tanach, Jewish law, Jewish philosophy, Hebrew language, Jewish history, Holocaust studies and Zionism. Our beginners program enables public school students with little or no Hebrew background to make the transition into the regular program based on individual student performance and acceleration in learning.

Commitment to Israel

CYHSB views the creation of the State of Israel as one of the seminal events in Jewish history. Recognizing the significance of the State and its national institutions, we seek to instill in our students an attachment to the State of Israel and its people, as well as a sense of responsibility for their welfare. We strongly encourage our graduates to strengthen their relationship with our homeland by studying in Israel before entering a college or university.

Kollel Torah MiTzion

In addition, we bring a slice of Israel to Memphis. Each year, through our Kollel Torah MiTzion, young Israeli men, graduates of Hesder* yeshivot, come to Memphis to learn with each other and in small group settings with CYHSB students. They are directed by a Rosh Kollel and serve as dorm counselors and religious role models in the CYHSB dormitory. This experience has proven to be invaluable for the students, creating unforgettable, long-lasting relationships and infusing them with a love and appreciation of Torah and Israel. Through special projects and classes, the Kollel reaches out and impacts the entire Memphis Jewish community.

Extracurricular Activities

From playing basketball against other private schools to extra learning to organizing a highly successful annual steak dinner for the community, CYHSB students are involved in a myriad of volunteer and extracurricular activities. They manage a student council; initiate and participate in chesed projects; produce a play and a student newspaper; attend Shabbatonim and seasonal outings like canoeing and skiing; compete in the Federal Challenge, a contest on monetary policy sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank, and against other Jewish high schools in Yeshiva University’s Model United Nations and in YU’s annual basketball tournament; and have the option to participate in Memphis synagogue programs such as NCSY (National Conference of Synagogue Youth).

Our Campus

Cooper Yeshiva High School for Boys is located in an attractive residential area in the heart of East Memphis. Three Orthodox synagogues, aside from our own minyan, are in the neighborhood. The high school has a beit midrash, science lab, student lounge and computers in each classroom. The school and recently renovated dormitory are within the Memphis Eruv and are just steps away from the MHA/FYOS elementary school, which houses a gymnasium, lunchroom and computer laboratory.

Student Accomplishments

CYHSB students have been recognized by The College Board as Advanced Placement Scholars and by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation as winners and finalists in their competition. They participate in nationally sponsored young leadership programs, such as Yeshiva University’s Eimatai and Panim el Panim. Nearly one hundred percent of our students attend a four-year institution after graduation. Yeshiva University, Columbia University, Boston University, Reishit Yerushalayim, Ohr Yerushalayim and Kerem B’Yavneh are just a few examples of the many prestigious universities and yeshivot that have accepted our outstanding graduates.

Our graduates are exceptionally well rounded and well equipped to become successful, contributing members of a highly technological society. They are equally well prepared for a life as committed, caring, knowledgeable and respectful Jewish adults.

Our Success

Our students are successful because they compete in a stimulating, challenging dual curriculum environment, they are encouraged to aim high, and they are motivated by their parents, teachers and peers to achieve their individual maximum potential.

We measure our success not only by the many professional accomplishments our graduates have earned, but by their high moral standards and the degree of their commitment to the Jewish people, to Israel and to humanity. We boast many third generation students anda large, active group of alumni and parents of alumni who demonstrate a strong commitment to the school.

Program Highlights