Dear NYHS Community,
Quality education has always been a foundational value for the Jewish people. Indeed, an enduring feature of the Passover Seder is the timeless fulfillment of the biblical commandment vehigadeta levincha, the responsibility to transmit Jewish knowledge, wisdom, values and tradition to every Jewish child. (Exodus 13:8). However, for many middle income families full engagement in Jewish life requires financial sacrifices that have reached crisis levels. The growing challenge of affordability for middle income families is an existential threat to American Jewish identity, it continues to weaken Jewish communities of vitality and has converted the promise of Jewish continuity into a transactional commodity. I feel truly blessed to share the recent launch of the Day School Affordability Initiative (DSA). Generously sponsored by the Samis Foundation, this initiative will provide affordable tuition for many current and future middle income NYHS families! You can read more HERE from yesterday's news release.
The DSA initiative uses a simple formula to cap NYHS tuition for families earning up to $350,000. The grants will be available for the upcoming school year, providing an immediate, positive financial impact for many of our families. The cap for eligible families will be 15% of adjusted gross income for tuition covering all children in the family attending tuition-charging schools or $15,000 per child, whichever is lower. The Samis Foundation will provide funds directly to NYHS to cover the remainder of their full tuition costs thus ensuring that the high quality of our student’s education is maintained and fully supported.
To find out if your family qualifies, complete a very short and anonymous Eligibility Estimator. The DSA Grant Application is short and straightforward and is due by May 4. Applicants should be prepared with the most recent tax returns and W-2s.
Families eligible for larger financial assistance grants will still have the opportunity to participate in the traditional tuition assistance application process using the FAST form. Our current families who have already signed continuous enrollment agreements for the 2022-23 academic year are still encouraged to apply for a DSA grant, and if applicable, will receive amended enrollment agreements for the upcoming school year with the adjusted tuition amount.
If you need more information or have questions, please email our admissions office at admissions@nyhs.org We will also be hosting a DSA Initiative Info-Meeting this coming Monday, April 11th at 7:30pm via Zoom. So be on the lookout for an email with meeting details.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest hakarat hatov, gratitude, to the Samis Foundation for their bold vision, transformative leadership and uncompromising commitment to intensive and immersive Jewish day school education in the greater Seattle area. NYHS embodies this sacred mission daily. Our school community is truly blessed to be among the beneficiaries of Sam Israel’s z’l vision of a vibrant, healthy and well educated Jewish community.
Shabbat Shalom,
Jason Feld
Head of School
