About MHA | Margolin Hebrew Academy

WHO WE ARE

OUR MISSION

"The Margolin Hebrew Academy / Cooper Yeshiva of the South is a warm and welcoming Orthodox Jewish day school that inspires and empowers Pre-K through twelfth grade Jewish children. We prepare the knowledge, skills, and passion needed to achieve success and make meaningful contributions to society. We promote excellence in Judaic and General studies for both girls and boys. Our school is committed to Torah learning and Torah living, and love of G-d, the Jewish people, and the State of Israel."

ABOUT OUR SCHOOL

A Community
Built on Torah
& Excellence

Margolin Hebrew Academy – Cooper Yeshiva of the South is an Orthodox Jewish school for students in Pre-K3 through Grade 12 located in Memphis, Tennessee. We are accredited by the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS).

At MHA-CYOS, we are proud to have an outstanding faculty and administration. Many of our teachers and leaders have been part of our community for decades, bringing deep expertise and lasting commitment to our students' growth.

Three Orthodox congregations and the Vaad Harabonim of Memphis support our school community. All of our graduates attend colleges or universities after graduation, and many pursue a gap year at yeshivot or seminaries in Israel.

APPLY NOW

OUR CAMPUS

FACILITIES DESIGNED FOR LEARNING

Our campus sits on a beautiful 7-acre parcel in a residential section of East Memphis, with dedicated wings for every age group — plus a gym, art room, science labs, and over 4,500 sq ft of outdoor playgrounds.

Early Childhood

The Leach Early Childhood Education Center serves Pre-K3 and Pre-K4 with an indoor play area, dedicated lunch room, and classrooms using Project Approach learning with small group instruction.

Elementary — Grades 1–5

A dedicated wing with a library, art room, STEAM center, science lab, and computer lab. Students receive rigorous Judaic and General Studies instruction in a nurturing environment.

Middle School — Grades 6–8

A dedicated wing staffed by adolescent-focused educators and Hebrew language teachers. Students build independence while remaining connected to the broader MHA community.

High School — Grades 9–12

Cooper Yeshiva (boys) features a beit midrash, updated science labs, library, and student lounge. Goldie Margolin School (girls) includes a Beit Midrasha/library and renovated student spaces.

WHAT WE STAND FOR

OUR CORE VALUES

Torah & Tradition

Torah study and Jewish values are woven throughout every aspect of our school, strengthening each student's identity and connection to the Jewish people.

Academic Excellence

We hold high expectations for every student, cultivating critical thinkers, lifelong learners, and confident young leaders prepared for college and beyond.

Character & Middot

Jewish ethics guide our school culture. We nurture integrity, empathy, and personal responsibility through daily modeling and intentional character development.

Chesed & Service

Tikkun olam is a living value at MHA. Students engage in meaningful community service, chesed projects, and social responsibility throughout the year.

Love of Israel

Our curriculum and culture celebrate Am Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael. Many graduates pursue gap years in Israel, deepening their connection to the Jewish homeland.

Family Partnership

We believe parents and educators are partners. Open communication, PTA involvement, and shared commitment create a strong, supportive school community.

OUR COMMUNITY

CONNECTED & SUPPORTED

Congregational Support

Three Orthodox congregations and the Vaad Harabonim of Memphis stand behind MHA-CYOS. Our school is woven into the fabric of the Memphis Jewish community, with deep roots and lasting partnerships.

Faculty & Staff

We are blessed with an exceptional team — many of whom have dedicated decades to our students. New staff bring fresh perspectives while long-tenured educators carry the wisdom of our traditions.

Alumni Network

100% of our graduates attend college or university. Many pursue gap years in Israel, and numerous alumni return to serve on our board of trustees and give back to the school that shaped them.

OUR STORY

75 YEARS OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN MEMPHIS

1949

Founded on a Dream

In 1949, the founders of the Memphis Hebrew Academy had only a dream upon which to build a primary school and yeshiva. With limited funds but endowed with unswerving determination, the school began with a handful of students in kindergarten and first grade.

1964

High School Divisions Established

Two high schools were founded as extensions of the Memphis Hebrew Academy — one serving young men (Yeshiva of the South) and one serving young women (Goldie Margolin School for Girls, named in honor of the mother of founders Ben, Joe, and Sam Margolin). Both offered general and Judaic studies, including advanced Torah learning.

1981

Aaron David Shainberg Education Campus

The school dedicated its facility as the Memphis Hebrew Academy / Aaron David Shainberg Education Campus, marking a significant milestone in the school's growth and permanence in the Memphis community.

1987

One Unified Institution

The Memphis Hebrew Academy and the Yeshiva of the South became one institution, unified under a single leadership with classes spanning pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade.

1991–1994

Named in Honor of Our Pillars

In 1991, the school was renamed Margolin Hebrew Academy in honor of the Margolin family's long-standing support. In 1992, the Leach Early Childhood Center was dedicated, and the boys' division was named Cooper Yeshiva High School for Boys. In 1994, the school was further dedicated in recognition of Irby and Bernice Cooper — longtime pillars of the school.

Today

MHA-CYOS — A Living Legacy

Today, Margolin Hebrew Academy – Cooper Yeshiva of the South continues to provide unique opportunities to ensure student success in whatever professional endeavors they may choose. With over 75 years of Jewish education in Memphis, our legacy is one of excellence, devotion, and an unwavering commitment to Torah and community.