Goldie Margolin High School for Girls

Goldie Margolin High School for Girls (GMHSG) 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 girls, the school is committed to academic excellence in Torah and general studies, the State of Israel and providing a 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 woman 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 her 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 join together to 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 several 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 and advanced placement courses. In addition, we offer electives in computer science, public speaking, law, Spanish, 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 Tanach, Hebrew language, Jewish law, Jewish philosophy, Jewish history, Holocaust studies and Zionism. In addition, we offer a beginners program that 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

GMHSG 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.

In addition, we bring a slice of Israel to Memphis. Each year, two young Israeli women from Bat Ami (a division of Sherut Leumi, Israeli National Service) come to live and study with the girls on campus. This experience has proven to be invaluable for the students and has created unforgettable, long-lasting relationships. The presence of these young Israeli adults has added a wonderful, new dimension to our school.

Extracurricular Activities

From playing basketball against other private schools to mother/daughter learning to helping feed the less fortunate, GMHSG students are involved in a myriad of extracurricular and volunteer activities. They manage a student council; plan and participate in chesed projects, such as visiting residents at the Memphis Jewish Home on a weekly basis; produce an annual play and a student newspaper; attend Shabbatonim and seasonal outings like canoeing and hiking; attend regular chugim (clubs) in art, aerobics, photography and Spanish; compete against other Jewish high schools in Yeshiva University's Model United Nations; and have the option to participate in Memphis synagogue programs such as NCSY (National Conference of Synagogue Youth).

Our Campus

GMHSG is located in a very attractive residential area in the heart of East Memphis. Three Orthodox synagogues, aside from our own minyan, are in the neighborhood. The school and dormitory are within the Memphis Eruv and are a short walk from each other. The high school has its own beit midrasha, student lounge and computers with Internet access. Our campus is just steps away from the MHA/FYOS elementary school, which houses a gymnasium, lunchroom and computer laboratory.

Student Accomplishments

GMHSG 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. Stern College for Women, Barnard College, University of Md., Michlala, Midreshet Lindenbaum and Midreshet Moriah are just a few examples of the many prestigious colleges, universities and seminaries 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 also 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 and a large, active group of alumni and parents of alumni who demonstrate a strong financial commitment to the school.