This past school year, Heschel welcomed its largest freshman class into the high school, totaling 101 students. While this growth reflects the school’s strong appeal, it also introduces challenges for the students, teachers, and the administration in maintaining the unique sense of community that Heschel is known for.
But what is the reason for this leap? What’s behind this sudden growth? Why the increase from previous year? And how will the school address the problems that arise from this?
The rise in student numbers is largely due to a higher retention rate in the middle school. “Fewer students are leaving after eighth grade,” explains Admissions Co-Director Iris Klein. “The value of a Heschel education has grown, and families want to stay.” This shift has led Heschel to accept fewer students from outside. Nevertheless, the school remains committed to bringing in new perspectives, with over a third of new students in the freshman high school class, and over a dozen new students coming from outside the borough of Manhattan.
Anne Cohen, the High School Assistant Head, sees the growing student body as an opportunity. She said, “More people means more opportunities—for friendships, new perspectives, and collaboration.” However, Cohen also acknowledges that space may prove to be a significant challenge, and the administration is already discussing potential long-term solutions.
With more students comes the need for additional space, resources and flexibility. Upperclassmen have noted that lunchrooms and hallways are more difficult to navigate than in the past, and meeting with teachers has become increasingly difficult.
Senior Matthew Moger said, “The school has for sure been impacted by the mass amount of students. It has become impossible to find a room when meeting with a teacher.”
Junior Lily Weinberg shared that even simpler things, such as transition time between classes, have become more difficult. “There’s a lot of people trying to get from place to place, and it just gets really crowded,” she said.
The impact of these changes extends beyond just the student body. Julia Bernstein and Lindsay Biebelberg of the JSL team noted that planning events like the Shabbaton have become more complex. The increased attendance doesn’t just mean more rooms and larger groups—it also changes the social dynamics.
“With 420 people attending this year’s Shabbaton, it’s crucial to create spaces where smaller group interactions can thrive,” Julia said. “We want students to build bonds with their peers, especially within their own grade.”
Despite these logistical shifts, Heschel staff remain committed to preserving the school’s close-knit environment. The JSL team explained that achieving this requires a concerted effort from both faculty and students. “We need to commit to making sure that everyone feels part of this space,” they said.
Looking forward, the administration is optimistic about balancing the school’s growth with the community and space here at Heschel. As Anne Cohen jokes, “It’s a good problem to have, right?”