.png)
This report - based on state and federal administrative data - is the first ever long-term review of trends in Jewish day school enrollment in Maryland and DC.
While overall enrollment declined from 2005 to 2012 and has recovered from 2013 to 2019, enrollment in Orthodox schools saw a steady increase and enrollment in non-Orthodox schools saw a steady decline. Day school enrollment in the DC Area - which has a higher percentage of non-Orthodox schools than the Baltimore Area – has declined more rapidly than day school enrollment in the Baltimore Area.
The divergent experiences of Orthodox vs. non-Orthodox Jewish day schools in Maryland and DC mirrors a similar trend at the national level. Even though attrition rates have declined in recent years, unless non-Orthodox schools can simultaneously revitalize their recruitment and retention, their enrollment is projected to continue declining for the foreseeable future.
This report underscores the importance of reducing attrition and increasing Kindergarten enrollment in order to increase long-term enrollment in Jewish day schools. It also demonstrates Orthodox Jewish day school is expected to increase significantly in coming years. This may result in a need for significant additional funding for these schools in coming years. Finally, it demonstrates the need for further research on the causes of enrollment decline at non-Orthodox schools – as well as potential solutions.
This report analyzes Jewish day school enrollment trends at multiple levels, including:
- Overall trends in MD and DC
- Trends in standalone kindergarten enrollment
- Regional enrollment trends (DC Area vs. Baltimore Area)
- Enrollment projections through 2035
- School level enrollment dashboards for the 14 largest Jewish schools in MD and DC
Full Report: Trends in Maryland and DC Jewish Day School Enrollment, 2005-2019
Section 1: Introduction
Section 2: Data Sources and Methods
Section 3: Overall Enrollment Trends
Section 4: Decline of Standalone Kindergartens
Section 5: Countervailing Forces: Attrition and Structural Change
Section 6: Baltimore Area Enrollment Trends
Section 7: DC Area Enrollment Trends
Section 8: Enrollment Projections
Section 9: School Level Enrollment Dashboards