|
|
Feb. 17, 2006
School exceeds all expectations
King David enrolment is growing by leaps and bounds, and is looking
to reach capacity.
KYLE BERGER
Change. This word has been the common denominator in just about
everything that has taken place at the King David High School since
June.
Preceded by a change in the name from the Vancouver Talmud Torah
High School, the year kicked off with a complete change of scenery
in a new state-of-the-art facility.
But possibly one of the most significant changes is the constant
flow of new students that has resulted in an enrolment increase
of 70 per cent since June.
"At the beginning of this school year, enrolment was at 134,"
said Dan Shmilovitch, the school's executive director, noting there
were 81 students who rolled over from last year. "We have gained
20 more students since the school year started and that growth has
been all across the board and in every grade."
This influx of students, Shmilovitch suggested, is a testament to
the solid reputation the school has quickly developed.
"Teenagers don't usually like changing their environment in
terms of their peers. Especially part way through a school year,"
he said. "It says a lot as far as the school's image, reputation
and the quality of education [is concerned]."
And Shmilovitch doesn't expect the development to stop any time
soon, with a projection of more than 160 students enrolled in the
school by midsummer. These figures have left administrators beginning
to make plans for the trial and tribulations of running a full school.
It's a stark contrast to a few years ago, when it was heavily debated
whether a new Jewish community high school was even viable in Vancouver.
"The school is in a situation that probably nobody in the community
anticipated, in which we are now starting to take a look at issues
if we get to capacity," Shmilovitch said. "This is also
the community sending signals to the school that we see you as an
important part of our community, so it is a great opportunity for
the community and the school to grow together and build."
The new facility was built to handle anywhere from 225 to 250 students.
The school was originally called Maimonides High School when it
was founded in 1980 - a result of efforts led by Rabbi Mordecai
Feurstein.
Classes first started in Schara Tzedeck Synagogue before moving
into portable classrooms on Baillie Street. Led by the Belzberg,
Kahn and Frankenberg families, the school grew through the 1990s
to hosting between 40-50 students.
As enrolment then seemed to stall for a number of years, a task
force was formed in the late 1990s to develop interest in the high
school concept.
Four years ago, the school took advantage of the momentum of a large
class graduating from the Vancouver Talmud Torah Elementary School
(VTT).
"This year's graduating class, being at 27 students, was the
impetus to start the growth when they were in Grade 8," Shmilovitch
said. "That turned the corner in terms of enrolment.
"Many of the parents in that Grade 8 class are very important
leaders in the school at the present time," he continued. "They
became very critical and committed to the school and that was a
very important part of moving the school forward."
Along the way, KDHS benefited from important relationships with
various community organizations to take significant steps toward
the completion of the new school.
VTT helped get the capital campaign started before the Jewish Community
Centre of Greater Vancouver (JCC) took the lead, along with the
Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver. Eventually, the Diamond
Foundation became the most significant financial contributor to
the construction of the school.
These relationships developed into a unique campus feeling between
the school and the JCC, located across the street from each other.
"I think there is a sense of pride in everyone that has been
so involved over the last number of years that we've been able to
accomplish this," Shmilovitch said of the school's unexpected
success. "To now be making critical decisions on the future
of the school is nothing but positive and it sends a signal to the
community that the school is here and it is growing."
Kyle Berger is a freelance journalist and graphic designer
living in Richmond.
^TOP
|
|
