City: Overland Park, MO

Category: Education

Telephone: (913) 327-8180

Address: 5801 W. 115th St.

Description: In 1966 parents who wanted to provide a Jewish day school for their children rented space at Ohev Shalom Synagogue and began with 33 students. In 1973 a high school department was added. Over the years the academy has moved several times to adjust to its growing enrollment needs; in fall 1988 it found its permanent home when the architecturally stunning Jewish Community Campus opened in south Overland Park. Since then space has been added to support a biology lab, fine arts center, Judaic studies rooms, two computer labs, and a foreign language classroom. Speaking of language skills, the admissions form states that new applicants entering grades 4 through 12 must be able to read and write Hebrew. The children come from a variety of racial, national, and economic backgrounds (over 50 percent receive financial assistance), yet all are being raised in the Jewish faith. Currently around 300 students are enrolled from kindergarten to grade 12.