The former Nova Southeastern Law School Campus has been sold to the Jewish Academy. This transaction marks the first time in Florida’s history that a Jewish school has purchased a former college campus, aligning perfectly with the Jewish Academy’s unique college prep vision.
The new educational campus, spanning 63,746 square feet, includes a five-story educational building and a two-story auditorium and co-curriculum building. Plans for the campus are groundbreaking, featuring a professional basketball court, student recreation center, soccer field, STEM Lab, Beis Medrish, Music Studio, Art Studio, Podcast Room, Yoga Lounge, and modern classrooms.
The co-curricular building will be the center of a student life ecosystem that includes athletics, clubs, and student trips. A unique blend of academic electives will be facilitated in the co-curricular building. Courses that will be offered include Art Studio Design and Robotics.
This state-of-the-art campus will be located within ten minutes of the heart of the Jewish community in Hollywood, Florida. Sharing a property line with Snyder Park, the campus will also offer shared access to additional park amenities including a basketball court, bike trail, butterfly garden, disc golf course, dog park, fishing, nature trails, pavilions/picnic tables, a playground, and a volleyball court.
Jewish Academy Head of Schools, Rabbi Chaim Albert, says “The New Campus will be the pride of the South Florida community.” Plans for the Campus include providing a year round after-school community center for Jewish students. “This will be a home for our community, a place for students to meaningfully connect to Judaism, Israel, and our Torah values.”
The Jewish Academy has a unique demographic of both Israeli and American students. 95% of the Jewish Academy’s students are former public school kids. Of the 350 students in the school, approximately 60% are Israeli. Unfortunately, statistics show that 70% of second generation Israelis intermarry. The Jewish Academy’s mission is to eradicate this trend by building Jewish pride, Torah knowledge, and a love of Israel. As part of the schools mission, all 150 families in the school are required to attend a shiur Torah weekly in order to receive a scholarship to the school.
In the past, the school's biggest obstacle to growth has been its facilities. Currently the Middle/High School enrollment sits at max capacity on the 2nd and 3rd floor of an office building. The new building provides the potential to add 1,000 plus students. Based on demand, the school projects to add 140 students a year, one class of 6-12th graders each year for 5 years. “The community is yearning for an option for their kids. It’s sad. Many families are stuck in public schools where their children are learning anti-semetic ideas. Our kids don’t know the difference. I don’t know where I would be without the Jewish Academy,” says Mrs. Elanit Yosef, who has two children in the Jewish Academy.
Jewish Academy Chief Academic Officer and former Harvard Alumni, Moshe Hecht, says “Families attend the Jewish Academy because of the academic advantage. 100% of General Studies teachers are certified, with a Masters degree, college classes in 8th grade, a culture of College Prep, inspiring electives, and extracurricular activities. It is a clear difference for our families.”
The difference is in fact clear. Using the same State standards to test its students, The Jewish Academy outperformed “A” Charter and Public Schools on the 2023-2024 End of Year State exams. Additionally, in March of this year, The Jewish Academy became the only school in Florida, public or private, to have 100% of its 8th Grade Honors students pass the PERT college entrance exam and take college classes for college credit. This achievement culminated in a star-studded celebration in April at the G7 Rooftop Restaurant overlooking the Hard Rock Hotel. Among the guests in attendance were Israeli musician Gad Elbaz, Real Estate Moguls Sharon & Miriam Sharaby, and the Mayor of Dania Beach.
The Jewish Academy’s vision for Jewish Studies runs counter to the mainstream. “It is forbidden to teach Judaism as a subject” says Rabbi Albert. “Some students love Math class and other students hate Math class. It is not an option to hate Judaism.” Rather, the outlook of the Jewish Academy is simple- teach inspiring Torah that builds love and emunah within each student. Through learning Torah and Jewish Experiences, The Jewish Academy believes our students will become proud Jews with a passionate and meaningful relationship to Hashem, Judaism, and Israel.
Does this approach work? Among the inaugural 12th grade class graduating this June, the majority have decided to take on a gap year in Israel to learn in a yeshiva or seminary. “When you love your Rabbis, when you love Torah, and when you love Israel, the decision to go to yeshiva is an easy one,” says Jewish Academy 12th grade graduate Jacob Edri.
The Jewish Academy provides public school families an offer they can’t refuse- superior academics and experiences that connect students to Judaism and Israel. The new campus will initially serve the Jewish Academy’s Middle and High School students, with potential to accommodate over 1,000 students. Naming opportunities are available for the new campus and buildings. “IYH, thousands of students will be leaving public school en route to a gap year in Israel. I know of no other investment greater than taking care of Hashem’s children.”
