The Jewish Day School

The first day of school is my favorite day of the school year. It was so nice to start the morning with so many smiling and happy faces; rested from the summer break, excited to be back at school, in a new class with a new teacher. Parents and the younger students are excited and maybe a bit anxious. Some of the upper school students still stumble in, perhaps a little tired at the shock of getting up so early after a wonderful summer break.

What you don't see on the sidewalk or in the classroom, is something new this year. This fall, we are welcoming an unprecedented 51 new students in Preschool through 8th Grade. While our enrollment held steady through the recession, we're now seeing tremendous growth - particularly in our preschool, first grade and kindergarten. So, why is this year so unusual? It was a question I was asked numerous times this morning at our Parent Association Coffee Cart where parents gather to chat after dropping off their student(s). There are a couple of reasons for the increase.

When a family applies for admission, I ask them why they want their child(ren) to attend JDS. Their answers vary - some have just moved to the area, some were unsatisfied with their previous school, while others are simply seeking a different academic experience for their child. They're looking for a school focusing on the whole child; a curriculum that encourages students to inquire, explore and dig deeper; a 21st century approach that lays a foundation for lifelong learning. But most of all, I hear from our new parents that they are longing to connect - they want their family to be part of a learning community where people know and care about their child and their family. While our academics are outstanding, this sense of community separates us from every other school, public and private, in our region. We all know what a powerful part 'community' plays in a child's academic and personal growth and success.

The increase in students we can also attribute to our community-supported (and nationally recognized) Discovery Grant Program. Created two years ago to encourage families to experience a Jewish Day School education, the Discovery Grant is a $6,000 grant to be applied towards tuition and used over the course of two years. This year we are pleased to have awarded 21 Discovery Grants to families trying Jewish Day School education for the first time. We could have never predicted that this program would be so successful and far exceeded the vision we have to attract new families to JDS.

At the moment, I have additional enrollment applications on my desk and tours waiting to be scheduled. It's an exciting time to be JDS' Admissions Director. If you know of a family interested in Seattle's JDS, please have them contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 425-460-0260.

-Amy Adler, Director of Admissions & External Relations