Welcome to Fischer
High School
Welcome to Fischer High School
Learning and Growing as One
From our first graduating class to the present, Posnack School has a proven track record of combining academic excellence and love for Jewish living. Graduates of Fischer High School are accepted to the best colleges in the United States and internationally.
The 2015-2016 school year witnessed the opening of Fischer High School and Ram Gymnasium. This state-of-the-art, 50,000-square-foot building houses one of the finest secondary school facilities in South Florida and includes a professional lecture hall, a media production studio, a “black box” theater, a student activities center, as well as a two-story gymnasium. The Marks Family Courtyard connects the high school to the lower and middle schools.
Explore Fischer High School below.
Fischer High School Academic Program
Philosophy
At the Posnack School we develop well-rounded scholars comfortable in the rigors of the classroom, the competition of the playing field, the inspiration of the stage, and the hallowed spirituality of the house of prayer.
Academic Program
Fischer High School curriculum includes courses in both general studies and Judaic studies. Posnack School requires its students to take a rigorous course load of eight courses per semester and offers 15 different AP courses for students in their sophomore, junior, and senior years. Moreover, even though AP Hebrew courses are unavailable from the College Board, many Posnack School students achieve sufficient proficiency in Hebrew to request language credits from their respective colleges. Fischer High School students have access to a well-rounded list of course offerings that meet and exceed state and national standards in language arts, history, mathematics, science, and foreign language. In addition to the required courses, a number of electives are available to the students.
Explore Courses
English
- English I, Honors
- English II, Honors
- English III, Honors
- English IV, Honors
- English Language & Composition AP
- English Literature & Composition AP
- Yearbook I-IV Honors
Social Studies
- History of the Land of Israel, Honors
- World History, Honors
- United States History, Honors, AP
- Microeconomics, Honors, AP
- Macroeconomics AP
- United States Government, Honors, AP
- Human Geography AP
- Psychology, Honors, AP
- Debate
Mathematics
- Algebra I, Honors
- Algebra II, Honors
- College Algebra
- Geometry, Honors
- Pre-Calculus, Honors
- Statistics & Probability Honors, AP
- Calculus Honors, AP, AB, BC
- Multivariable Calculus AT
Science
- Biology, Honors, AP
- Chemistry, Honors, AP
- Physics Honors, AP
- Environmental Science, Honors, AP
- Marine Biology Honors
- Anatomy & Physiology Honors
- Genetics & Biotechnology AT
Foreign Language
- Hebrew I, II
- Hebrew III, IV, V, VI Honors
- Spanish I, II
- Spanish III, IV Honors, AP
Judaic Studies
- Principles of Judaic Learning, Honors
- Jewish Law and Ethics Honors
- Parshanut on the Weekly Parsha and Holidays, Honors
- Advanced Chumash Honors
- Israel History, Policy, and Advocacy Honors
Graduation Requirements
To graduate, students must accumulate a minimum of 24 academic credits including 1.0 credit of health and physical education and performing or visual arts. In addition to the traditional college preparatory program, students who excel in their academic studies have opportunities to take honors and advanced placement (AP) courses.
- Judaic Studies 4.0 Cr.
- English 4.0 Cr.
- Mathematics (Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, and one other Mathematics course) 4.0 Cr.
- Science (Biology, Chemistry, and one other Lab Sciences required) 3.0 Cr.
- Social Studies (History of the Land of Israel, World History, United States History, U.S. Government/Economics) 4.0 Cr.
- Foreign Language- Hebrew 3.0 Cr. (if a student passes a Hebrew competency test, another language is required)
- Personal Fitness-Physical Education 0.5 Cr. (Or two (2) seasons of participation in Ram Team Sports).
- Health 0.5 Cr.
- Performing and Visual Arts 1.0 Cr.
- Electives 6.0 Cr.
- Total Credits for Graduation 30 Cr.
- Community Service 100 hours
Fischer High School Leadership
Meet Ms. Carla Sanchez, Fischer High School Associate Principal
Carla Sanchez is the Associate Principal of Fischer High School. Ms. Sanchez has worked at Posnack School since 2016 and oversees our high school’s logistics and student programming. Ms. Sanchez has served Fischer High School with unwavering commitment and leadership. She is dedicated and passionate about fostering academic excellence and personal growth among students. She believes in creating a nurturing and inclusive environment where every student feels valued and inspired to achieve their full potential. Her collaborative approach has strengthened relationships with faculty, students, and parents, fostering a supportive community that is essential for student success. Ms. Sanchez can be reached at csanchez@posnackschool.org or 954-583-6100 ext. 454.
Meet Rabbi Rami Ovadia, Principal of Jewish Life and Learning
Rabbi Rami Ovadia is the Principal of Jewish Life and Learning at Fischer High School, bringing more than 30 years of experience in Jewish education. A valued member of the Posnack School community for the past eight years, Rabbi Ovadia has inspired students as a Judaics educator while building strong relationships with families, faculty, and colleagues. An ordained rabbi and experienced educator, he is dedicated to helping students deepen their understanding of Torah, Jewish history, traditions, values, and Israel while engaging thoughtfully with the modern world. In his leadership role, Rabbi Ovadia works to ensure that Torah values, academic rigor, a love of Israel, and the Posnack Way remain central to the Fischer High School experience. Rabbi Ovadia can be reached at rovadia@posnackschool.org or 954-583-6100 ext. 454.
Meet Mr. Robert Pappas, Director of Academics
Robert Pappas is the Director of Academics at Fischer High School, bringing more than a decade of educational leadership experience and a strong record of advancing academic excellence, developing educators, and strengthening school communities. Throughout his career, he has led initiatives to improve instruction, expand technology integration, increase student achievement, and mentor emerging school leaders. Known for his thoughtful, student-centered approach, Mr. Pappas believes exceptional schools are built through strong relationships, collaboration, and high expectations for every learner. At Fischer High School, he works closely with faculty, students, and families to advance instructional excellence, support student growth, and foster a dynamic and engaging learning environment. Mr. Pappas can be reached at rpappas@posnackschool.org or 954-583-6100 ext. 454.
Judaic Studies at Fischer High School
Strengthening the Connection
Fischer High School Judaic Studies curriculum builds on the language skills and subject competencies established in the lower and middle grades. Reinforcing ahavat yisrael—commitment to the Jewish community and the State of Israel—is central to the Judaic studies curriculum. Alongside Hebrew instruction, students study Jewish sources, rabbinic literature, Jewish history and philosophy, and contemporary Jewish life. All Judaic studies instructors are certified by the Broward Central Agency for Jewish Education.
Tefillah
Students participate in Tefillah (prayer) daily. As a community day school, Fischer High hosts three minyan (prayer quorums) options each morning. Torah is read twice weekly and students learn parashat ha-shavua during Tefillah.
Hebrew
In the last years, the Posnack School has adopted an innovative Hebrew language curriculum developed by the school for students in grades 6-12. The Hebrew curriculum is linguistically sequential; texts and tasks increase in length and complexity as the student’s Hebrew improves. Each unit of study incorporates art, music, prose, poetry, news articles and Jewish texts, in layers of language ranging from biblical Hebrew to current scientific Hebrew terminology and common colloquialisms. All instructors are specially certified in the program.
Jewish History
Jewish history is incorporated in many aspects of the high school curriculum. In 10th grade, Posnack School students take part in mapping Jewish history from biblical times to the modern era. This offers students the opportunity to place contemporary events in their historical context and allows the students to see themselves in the long chain of Jewish tradition.
Tanach and Rabbinic Literature
In 9th grade, students study Tanach focusing on Neviim and Ketuvim. Starting with the structure of the Tanach, students learn to read and compare biblical texts, recognizing primary interpretations. From 10th through 12th grade, students turn to the study of Mishnah before moving on to other rabbinic sources including Gemara, the Shulchan Aruch, and the Mishnah Torah. Jewish ethics, philosophy, law, and contemporary issues are examined through the lens of rabbinic thought.
Posnack School Israel Trip
One of the highlights of being a Fischer High School student is the opportunity to learn about Israel first-hand through our Study Program in Israel. From the time our students begin at Posnack School, they learn about the roots of the Jewish people, study the Hebrew language, and explore Israeli customs and traditions, including holiday celebrations. During their two weeks in Israel, our students have the chance to live all that they have learned by experiencing Israel chronologically, from biblical times to the present.
Their time in Israel is specifically selected to allow them to observe and to participate in Israeli commemoration of Holocaust Remembrance Day, Yom Hazikaron, and Israel Independence Day. Students visit Yad Vashem, stand in the streets as the siren sounds throughout the country, and celebrate Israel’s birthday in Haifa. Our students also interact and celebrate with Israeli students from Nesher, our sister city in Israel, whose relationship with our students starts in seventh grade when they work together on a common project called Shorashim.
Whether our students are climbing Masada, seeing the amazing laser light show over Jerusalem, smelling the preparations for Shabbat, hearing and speaking Hebrew in the streets, or tasting traditional Israeli delicacies, they get to feel Israel by using all five of their senses. For our students, this amazing experience is the seed of a growing relationship between them and Israel that will continue to grow and develop through high school and their adult life.
College Counseling and Academic Advising at Fischer High School
The College Counseling Process
Getting Ahead in a Competitive World
The road to college is an individual journey; each child has their own path. As the only Jewish JrK-12 college preparatory school in Broward County, the responsibility of preparing our students for successful and rewarding academic careers is a sacred duty to our students and their families. Working together with students and their parents, Posnack School college counseling team helps students discover the schools that are right for them. This process begins in middle school with a spring meeting in 8th grade. Students participate in individual and group meetings with the college advisors over the next 4 years.
College Success Starts with a Posnack School Diploma
- 100% 4-year college acceptance rate
- Posnack School graduates rank in the top 5% nationally
- Fischer High School students have garnered many awards and scholarships including the National Merit, Coca-Cola Scholars, National Council of Jewish Women Scholarship, and Silver Knight Awards.
- Nearly 100% of Fischer High School graduates qualify for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship
Meet Aleny Garcia, Director of College Counseling
Aleny Garcia is a college counseling professional with 20 years of experience helping students make informed decisions that will optimize their post-secondary choices. Ms. Garcia joined us from Ransom Everglades School, where she served as Associate Director of College Counseling. Prior to her work at Ransom Everglades, Ms. Garcia led the advising office at Cardinal Gibbons High School as Director of College and Academic Advising. She serves on the board of the Southern Association of College Admission Counseling (SACAC) and recently chaired the Membership Committee of the e Association of College Counselors in Independent Schools (ACCIS). She holds an M.S. in School Counseling from Nova Southeastern University and a B.A. from Florida International University’s Honors College. A South Florida native, Ms. Garcia lives in Fort Lauderdale with her husband, Troy, and their dog, Buddy. Ms. Garcia loves meeting students and families and invites you to drop by the Diener College Counseling Suite!
Preparing for Tomorrow’s Future
Benefits of Posnack School Technology Initiatives:
- Increases learning and participation in classroom
- Engages students to learn and understand material in ways familiar to them
- Increases project-based learning, supporting assignments requiring research, collaboration, and production of a final product such as slide shows, videos, podcasts, web pages, etc.
- Allows access to information, lessons, and assignments from anywhere in the world.
