After the Avi Chai Foundation released its fourth census of Jewish day schools in the Unites States at the end of October, media headlines trumpeted the same line “day school enrolment is up by 12 per cent.”
Twelve percent growth is a phenomenal feat. Notwithstanding economic pressures, a shrinking cohort of Jewish school-aged children, increasing intermarriage and a general distancing from traditional forms of Jewish affiliation including synagogue membership and contributions to legacy agencies, day school enrolment is on the rise.
Well, not quite.
Yes, overall, enrolment across U.S. day schools is up by 12 per cent (or 26,437 students) since 2008. This growth, however, comes nearly exclusively from the chassidic and yeshiva world sectors. In this same time frame, enrolment in community schools dropped by two per cent, in modern Orthodox by seven per cent, in Reform schools by 19 per cent, and in Solomon Schechter (Conservative) schools by 27 per cent.
In 1998, only 20 per cent of all students enrolled in Jewish day schools in the United States were enrolled in non-Orthodox schools. By 2013, that number had dropped to 13 per cent. Professors Jack Wertheimer and Steven M. Cohen, in an article marking one year since the release of the infamous Pew Portrait of Jewish Americans, lament the “tragic [fact] that day schools at every level have become largely the preserve of Orthodox Jews, with only small percentages of others choosing an immersive Jewish education for their children.”
Here in Toronto, the numbers look very different. In 1998, 58 per cent of all students enrolled in Jewish day schools in Toronto were enrolled in non-Orthodox schools. By 2013, that number had dropped to 54 per cent – a far cry from the American scene.
There is plenty to celebrate in Toronto’s non-Orthodox day schools, but before breaking open the Manischewitz, it’s worth a closer look at the numbers.
Between 1998 and 2013 enrolment in non-Orthodox schools in the U.S. dropped by eight per cent. In Toronto the drop was seven per cent. The drop in enrolment in Toronto has been precipitated in large part by a drop in the number of Jewish school-aged children – down nine per cent between 2001 and 2011. Taking population into account, market penetration has not moved significantly.
Now for the Manischewitz.
Retention is one of the success stories of Toronto schools. The Avi Chai census demonstrates clear drops in enrolment in American schools between grades 5 and 6 – when students transition into middle school – and grades 8 and 9 – the transition into high school. Not so in Toronto. A concerted effort on the part of school leadership has mitigated these natural points of attrition, ensuring high retention rates.
A second success is perceived value. Parents in Toronto are not concerned that sending their children to Jewish day school will negatively impact their future options. Quite the opposite. Day schools open doors.
A third success is choice. Unlike some communities where there are but one or two day schools, we benefit from choice – in religious philosophy, approach to pedagogy, size and location. This choice allows parents to ensure the right fit between school and child.
With enrolment in non-Orthodox day schools there is a lot at stake. A strong community needs strong day schools. These schools produce Jews with deep knowledge, strong identities, and the skills necessary to lead our community. A recent study of young communal leaders demonstrates that a disproportionate number are day school graduates.
Trends in U.S. enrolment do not bode well for the future of a diverse and committed Jewish community and further reinforce the factors leading to the Pew findings.
For us, the data should serve both as an opportunity to pat ourselves on the back and then, quickly, a reminder to redouble our efforts to build a strong, sustainable and affordable day school system for the whole community.
Daniel Held is executive director of the Julia and Henry Koschitzky Centre for Jewish Education at UJA Federation of Greater Toronto.