The Emery/Weiner School

Emery/Weiner is pluralistic, accepting students of different faiths and affiliations. Its mission is to “educate and develop students whose intellect, moral character and Jewish identity provide a lifelong foundation for personal growth, commitment to the Jewish people, and Tikkun Olam – improving the world in which we live.” Emery/Weiner offers Judaics courses and electives which facilitate an understanding of the faith through the development of core academic skills such as literary analysis, analytical writing, and oral argument. Students also participate in grade level retreats to bond with one another and build a solid foundation for religious exploration.

The Emery/Weiner School’s campus is located just south of the 610 Loop on 15 acres of land in Southwest Houston. With over 100,000 square feet of classroom space, the campus features a 500-seat theater, state of the art science and computer labs, art and media studios, a multi-court gymnasium, and a commons area which houses a library and glass-enclosed student center. The Emery/Weiner campus is also home to athletics fields, including a new multipurpose, artificial turf field and stadium complex.

Students applying for admission to Emery/Weiner must complete and submit the following:

• online application form
• ISEE results
• Teacher Recommendation Forms
• official transcripts, school records, and standardized test scores

Applicants will also schedule a Shadow Day, where the student will spend either a full-day or half-day shadowing a EWS student. Applicants are interviewed during the Shadow Day visit, and parents need to schedule their own separate interview.

For the ISEE for grades 6 and 9, we recommend that students target a stanine of 5 or better in all test sections.

General Academic has more than 16 years of experience helping thousands of students prepare for the ISEE. Inquire about private tutoring or register for ISEE prep courses starting December 21st at our Rice Village Study Lounge.

Emery/Weiner offers courses across several academic tracks. Middle school students may be placed in On-Track or Advanced classes. Upper school tracks include On-Track, Honors, and Advanced. Courses designated “Advanced” are equivalent to AP courses; the school offers a total of 14 across the core subjects, Spanish, and the fine arts. Additionally, qualified students are afforded the opportunity to self-design independent studies.

Students must earn 26 credits in total and complete 30 hours of community service annually in order to graduate.

The course distribution requirements are as follows:

• English (4)
• Social sciences (3)
• Mathematics (3)
• Science (3)
• Judaic studies (4)
• World Languages (2)
• Fine Arts (1)
• Physical Education/Athletics (1)
• Technology (1)
• Electives (4).

A counseling department serves students seeking help with academic, learning, social, emotional, college, and career-related issues through small groups and individual appointments.

Students may enroll in either Hebrew or Spanish to fulfill their foreign language graduation requirement. Students may take up to Conversational Hebrew and Spanish V Advanced.

Emery/Weiner offers a wide array of fine arts classes and extracurricular opportunities. Students may participate in dance, theater arts, choir, instrumental music, graphic design, photography, painting, and more. Every spring, the Fine Arts Department at Emery/Weiner presents the Evening of the Arts, a program showcasing its students’ studio and performance artwork. Student artwork is regularly on display in the Hope/Kaplan Odyssey Gallery, a part of the Stein Fine Arts Complex. Two state-of-the-art theaters house four major theatrical productions throughout the year. In the theater arts program, students study acting, directing, playwriting, film study, set design, and stage management.

Technology is heavily integrated into Emery/Weiner’s curriculum. The school offers a 6th grade digital literacy course and a curriculum for technology integration in all core classes. The school’s Technology Integration Specialist works with teachers to assist them in utilizing tools and resources. The school offers students access to PC and Mac computer labs, supports interactive whiteboards in most classrooms, and encourages students to bring their own laptops or tablets for academic use.

Emery/Weiner hosts a large number of clubs and community service opportunities for its students. Some of the clubs featured at Emery/Weiner include Architecture, Knitting, Trivia, Humane Society, Gay-Straight Alliance, Israel Advocacy, Jewish Student Union, Model UN, and Young Independents. Tikkun Olam Council, a group that organizes community service opportunities, is the largest and most active of these groups.

There are several class trips in which students can participate. In the sixth, seventh, and eight grades, students take 3-4 day Spring Culture Trips to Galveston, New Orleans, and Washington, D.C., respectively. In the ninth, tenth, and eleventh grades, students take five-day trips to “the Deep South,” San Francisco, and New York City, respectively.  Students the ninth, tenth, and eleventh grades also partake in week-long outdoor education trips to Big Bend, the Texas Hill Country, and Eagle Lake. Senior year, students participate in the World Religion Program, a weeklong exploration of different faiths through site visits. Seniors also take a four-week trip to Poland and Israel.

Athletics is a key component of campus life at Emery/Weiner. More than 80% of the student body participates in athletics. Students are required to take physical education every year in the middle school and for at least two years in the upper school. Emery/Weiner Upper School students have the opportunity to participate in cross country, cheerleading, six-man football, soccer, basketball, baseball, softball, track & field, golf, lacrosse, and tennis. Students in the middle school may participate in six-man football, soccer, volleyball, basketball, baseball, softball, tennis, golf, track & field, and cross country.

Many parents support the school community through their involvement in the Parents Association. The Parents Association organizes fundraisers and activities for students, faculty, and staff. Parents Association functions include luncheons, the Capital Campaign auction, Jewish Life programming, the Fine Arts Booster Club, and the Athletics Booster Club, as well as opportunities to serve as grade level representatives and library volunteers.

Parents are invited to attend an annual Open House and Meet the Teachers Night. Additionally, administrators and faculty members are available for scheduled individual appointments.