Weizmann Day School in Pasadena, the only Jewish day school in the San Gabriel and Pomona valleys, is expanding its program, opening a seventh grade in September 2010 and an eighth grade in 2011. The school, which is independent and nondenominational, currently has 46 students in kindergarten through sixth grade.
“Because the closest Jewish middle school is more than 22 miles away, with very heavy traffic, very few of our sixth-graders are able to continue their Jewish day school educations post-graduation — although there is often a strong desire to do so,” Head of School Lisa Feldman said. “I am so pleased that we are finally able to fulfill the wishes of so many of our families and provide an option for their children to continue with us through middle school.”
All of this year’s sixth-graders have already signed on for the new seventh grade, bringing enrollment for next year to 55 students.
The school has already secured a donation of $10,000 to help underwrite start-up costs including curriculum development, textbooks and supplies. Administrators say parents are attracted to K-8 schools, which can provide continuity for the pivotal adolescent years.
Community leaders hope the impact will reverberate out from the school.
“Studies show that Jewish day school experience contributes significantly to Jewish continuity and leadership in the Jewish community,” said Jason Moss, executive director of the San Gabriel Valley Jewish Federation and parent of a Weizmann Day School first-grader. “By extending into middle school, Weizmann can have a tremendous effect on the commitment of its students to their Jewish identities and to becoming the next generation of leaders.”
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