Joining the Academy Community

By Audrey Fretzin (’15), speaking at the open house

Growing up in Indianapolis, I understood that I would not be able to continue my Jewish education onto high school without going somewhere in a different city, but I did not know where. In seventh grade, my parents informed me that we would be moving to Skokie and that I would be attending Ida Crown. It was a lot to take in, so I asked if I could look at the school first to make sure that I would be a good fit.

That same year, my mom took me on a road trip to Chicago just so that I could attend the same open house that you are all here for. I remember standing in this very gym and listening to seniors speak about the school. I never expected that I would be in their shoes five years later.

As you can imagine, I was incredibly nervous to move to a new place and start high school at the same time. But the faculty and my peers helped make my transition to this school smoother. My classmates were warm and invited me to their houses. They did not shut me out and leave me to fend for myself. When I was struggling in a class, I could always meet with my teacher at lunch to receive that extra attention I needed to succeed. Even though the long day at Ida Crown can seem daunting, I quickly learned that within those ten hours, I was able to bond with my classmates and begin to think of Ida Crown as a second home. That warmth has extended through all my four years at this school and I know that the relationships I have formed throughout my experience at this school will continue past graduation.