Rabbi Yoel Bursztn, the executive director of the Bais Yaakov School for Girls in Los Angeles, writes (I inserted links):
Dear Seventh Grade Parents:
As your daughter is soon to enter eighth grade, you are probably thinking about her future and your choice of a high school. Let us being by saying that if you have no intention of sending your daughter to Bais Yaakov for high school, then please disregard this letter. If, on the other hand, it is your intention to send your daughter to our school, certain clarifications need to be made. We would like you to have ample time to think about whether Bais Yaakov is indeed suitable for your daughter, or perhaps one of the other seven institutions for girls may be more suitable.
Bais Yaakov is a movement that was established by Sara Schenirer with the efforts and (blessing) of the gedolay Torah (great rabbis) of a previous generation, namely the Chafetz Chaim, the Gerrer Rebbe, and the Belzer Rebbe. The intention of these great leaders was not merely to provide an educational system, but rather to provide a vehicle to inculcate (Torah values) into future (Jewish) mothers. The purpose of a Bais Yaakov is to develop that pure neshama (Jewish soul) that (God) has given us at birth, and, with our efforts (of parents and school) to give our (students) the skills which well enable them to maintain the purity of their neshama for a lifetime.
Unfortunately, a culture has developed within (the Orthodox community) which believes it is possible to embrace the culture of the outside society with all of their entertainment and impurities. All sorts of gadgets and technology, clothing and designs rip into the heart of the (daughters of Israel) and poisons the souls of us all. People who feel that they can live a double standard have no place within our holy community. What the finest yeshivot are to the male population of the Jewish people, Bais Yaakov is to the female population of the Jewish people. Anything that would not be acceptable to the (great rabbis) of the Yeshiva world is not acceptable in Bais Yaakov.
If you are not clear as to what the standards of Bais Yaakov are, feel free to call the office for a copy of our manual and see if you can conform 100% to our standards. Ninety nine percent adherence is not acceptable. Although we have conditionally accepted certain students for the upcoming year, because they did not have advance notice of our admission policy clarification, we are giving you ample time to decide if Bais Yaakov is the school that is most suitable for your daughter.
Wishing you the (best) in making this decision for your daughter’s future (schooling).
Anyone have a copy of the Bais Yaakov manual laying out its rules?
This may be the strictest Bais Yaakov around, as a reaction to LA’s libertine culture.
I think the school has rules against dating, against working out in a gym where there are men around, against cell phones, etc.
I have only heard great things about Bais Yaakov from its students and parents and its graduates impress me. All the ones I’ve met were special. They had beautiful neshamas (Jewish soul). I dated a Bais Yaakov graduate in a hush hush fashion for a few weeks. I have friends who sent their daughters to Bais Yaakov.
