Search results for: Enrollment

Leveraging the wisdom and experience of the PJ Library and its many engagement programs, the Harold Grinspoon Foundation and AVI CHAI launched a new effort this year called the PJ Library Day School Enrollment and Engagement (DSEE) initiative. Sixteen day schools in four different communities are currently working with an experienced PJ Library professional in their community to create engagement programs. The goal is to bring new families into the orbit of their school, give them the opportunity to feel connected to the school community, and to build relationships, which, over the long term, will lead to more enrollments.

Last month, AVI CHAI issued our fourth census of Jewish day schools, conducted by Dr. Marvin Schick. The censuses have been conducted at four-year intervals, beginning with the 1998-99 school year. Some of the major census findings were: There is an overall increase in day school enrollment – by 70,000 students in the last 15 years. Most of that growth is in the Chassidic and Yeshiva World schools, which have grown by nearly 110% and 60% respectively. In the non-Orthodox sector, Community school enrollment has increased, whereas enrollment has declined in non-Orthodox schools overall. Non-Orthodox enrollment now constitutes 13% of all day school enrollment, a decrease from 20% as reported in 1998-99. There has been a flurry of commentary responding to the census release.

Harry Bloom of PEJE tells of some innovative approaches adopted by savvy Heads of School and Boards of day schools in order to overcome the marked fall off in day school enrollment over the last years. An increasing number of these schools are going on the growth offensive and investing in three strategies.

Just-released research by Dr. Marvin Schick provides 2011-12 enrollment data for all schools outside the yeshiva world and Chassidic sectors. While the data provide but a snapshot of the day school enrollment situation, they indicate that day school enrollment, aside from that of the Solomon Schechter schools, has remained fairly stable, despite the continued stresses of the economy.