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RABBINICAL SEMINARY OF AMERICA

76-01 147 STREET

At a Glance

An intimate Orthodox boys' yeshiva in Queens training future rabbis through intensive Talmudic study

Best suited for

Orthodox Jewish families seeking intensive, seminary-style Talmudic and rabbinical training for their sons in a small, all-boys setting, particularly those already living in or connected to the Kew Gardens Hills community.

What stands out

  • A dedicated rabbinical seminary track built around Talmudic Studies, theology, and Jewish ethics, aimed at students considering rabbinical careers.
  • An unusually small student body of 114 with a 10.8:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing close mentorship in religious study.
  • An all-boys Orthodox environment that prioritizes religious formation as the central purpose of the high school years.
  • Rooted in Kew Gardens Hills, a Queens neighborhood with one of the densest Orthodox Jewish infrastructures in the city.
  • Tuition listed at $10,000, a strikingly low figure for rabbinical training that likely reflects community and donor subsidization.

Things to consider

  • This is an all-boys school with a specific Orthodox mission — not a fit for families seeking coeducation or a secular environment.
  • The student body draws overwhelmingly from one Orthodox community; families looking for broad cultural or socioeconomic mix should look elsewhere.
  • Both subway stations are roughly a 19- to 20-minute walk, so the commute is car- or bus-dependent for most families.
  • The school's small size means the extracurricular menu beyond religious and academic study will be limited compared with larger yeshivas.
  • Expect the academic program to lean heavily toward rabbinical and Talmudic preparation rather than a broad, secular college-prep course list.

Identity

Religious

Rabbinical Seminary of America is an Orthodox Jewish yeshiva secondary school for boys in grades 9 through 12, with a student body of just 114. The curriculum centers on Talmudic Studies, rabbinical training, theology, and Jewish ethics rather than a standard college-prep track. It is best understood as a training ground for young men considering rabbinical careers and lifelong Torah study.

Community

Homogeneous

The student body is reported as entirely White, a figure that reflects the specific Orthodox Jewish community the seminary serves rather than a stated exclusion of others. With only 114 students across four grades, the community is small and self-selecting — families come specifically seeking intensive rabbinical formation for their sons. Parent reviews describe the environment as rigorous and supportive, with strong attention to halakha and practical rabbinics.

Neighborhood

Kew Gardens Hills

Kew Gardens Hills is a residential Queens neighborhood with a large and visible Orthodox Jewish presence, particularly along the 147th Street corridor where shuls, yeshivas, and kosher storefronts cluster. Census figures show a median household income around $84,750 and roughly 48% of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher, painting a picture of a stable, education-oriented community. The area blends modest single-family homes with the dense religious infrastructure that anchors daily life for many local families.

The nearest subway stops — Briarwood (E, F) and Kew Gardens–Union Turnpike (E, F) — are each about a 19- to 20-minute walk, so most students arrive by car, bus, or family carpool rather than the train.

Notable Programs

Rabbinical StudiesTheology/Theological StudiesTalmudic StudiesJewish ethics

What Parents Are Saying

One parent review gives 5 stars; parent reviews mention a rigorous yet supportive environment and an excellent focus on halakha and practical rabbinics.

Synthesized from public parent reviews · Apr 2026

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is RABBINICAL SEMINARY OF AMERICA a good school?
Published quality ratings aren't available for RABBINICAL SEMINARY OF AMERICA yet on Motley. It's a private school serving grades 9 to 12 in Kew Gardens Hills.
What grades does RABBINICAL SEMINARY OF AMERICA serve?
RABBINICAL SEMINARY OF AMERICA serves grades 9 to 12.
How do students get into RABBINICAL SEMINARY OF AMERICA?
RABBINICAL SEMINARY OF AMERICA runs its own private admissions process — typically an application, a visit, and sometimes testing.
Is RABBINICAL SEMINARY OF AMERICA public, charter, or private?
RABBINICAL SEMINARY OF AMERICA is a private school.
What neighborhood is RABBINICAL SEMINARY OF AMERICA in?
RABBINICAL SEMINARY OF AMERICA is in Kew Gardens Hills, Queens.