Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School

What Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School does

Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School is an independent, non-profit Jewish day school serving approximately 111 faculty and staff and students from Nursery (age 3) through 8th grade on a single campus at 3751 North Broadway Street in Chicago, Illinois. Founded around 1945–1946, the school operates three academic divisions — Early Childhood (Reggio Emilia-inspired), Lower School (Grades 1–4), and Middle School (Grades 5–8) — unified by a dual curriculum of general academic studies and Jewish studies that includes Hebrew language, Tefillot, Israel education, the Nesharim electives track, and signature experiences such as the 8th-grade Tiyul trip to Israel and the 8th-Grade Operetta. The institution holds ISACS, NAIS, LMAIS, PRIZMAH, and ISM accreditations and is currently marking its 80th anniversary.

The school is technology-light and content-driven rather than platform-driven: its website, admissions portal, and parent communications run on Finalsite; tuition-aid processing runs on Clarity Financial Aid; instructional tools are Google Workspace, iPads, Chromebooks, Zoom, and interactive whiteboards. There are no proprietary AI/ML systems, no public APIs, and no developer-facing integrations. Marketing is handled in-house using Google Analytics, Canva, and Juicer (Instagram aggregation), distributed across Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, a bi-weekly email newsletter (Ma Nishma), open houses, and community referrals through JUF and other Jewish organizations.

Bernard Zell generates revenue primarily through recurring annual tuition ($36,300 Nursery/JK to $46,500 Grade 8), supplemented by the BZ Beyond after-school program ($2,100/yr full-time), day-off camps, early-childhood summer camp, and a fundraising stack that includes the Annual Campaign, Day of Giving, planned giving, stock gifts, matching gifts, and an Annual Fundraiser ($250/family). About 30% of families receive need-based tuition assistance averaging 40% off, with additional support from the TAP Fund and JUF Right Start voucher. Go-to-market is a relationship-driven direct admissions motion — inquiry, personal tour, application via Finalsite Enrollment, candidate observations, and parent meetings — with no third-party resellers or franchise channels.

Name

Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School

Legal name

Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School

Website

https://bernardzell.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1945

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School is an independent, non-profit Jewish day school in Chicago serving students from Nursery through 8th grade, delivering a combined general-academic and Jewish-studies curriculum with after-school, summer, and Israel-trip programming for fee-paying families.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private K-8 Jewish Day School Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Preschools (EDACABAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Extended Day Programs at Preschools & Childcare Centers (EDACAHAB)

Keywords

• Jewish day school education
• Primary education programs
• Hebrew language instruction
• After-school care programs
• Summer camp programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition: Primary revenue stream from tuition fees for students from Nursery (age 3) through 8th grade. Tuition varies by grade level, ranging from $36,300 for Nursery/Jr. Kindergarten to $46,500 for Grade 8. Additional mandatory fees include PTC Dues ($130/student) and Annual Fundraiser ($250/family).
2. Extended Day Program: After-school care program (BZ Beyond) with full-time extended day at $2,100/year or part-time at $440/day. Additional revenue from day-off camps and summer camp programs.
3. Donations and Fundraising: Annual Campaign, Day of Giving, planned giving, stock gifts, matching gifts, and tribute/memorial donations support the school's financial operations. Annual fundraiser event also generates contributions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School is an independent Jewish day school operating a single integrated academic program for students from Nursery (age 3) through 8th grade. The school combines general studies with Jewish studies, Hebrew language instruction, Israel education, Tefillot, and service learning across three divisions: Early Childhood, Lower School, and Middle School. Supplementary paid offerings include BZ Beyond after-school care, Fine Arts, Athletics, an 8th grade Israel trip (Tiyul), Summer Camp, and High School Counseling.

Product overview

Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School is an independent Jewish day school offering a unified educational program for students from Nursery (age 3) through 8th grade. The school operates a single academic program structured across three divisions—Early Childhood, Lower School, and Middle School—unified by a core Jewish studies curriculum that integrates Hebrew language, Tefillot (prayers), Israel education, and Jewish values throughout. Supplementary programs include the BZ Beyond after-school care, Fine Arts (including the signature 8th Grade Operetta), Athletics, the Tiyul Israel trip, High School Counseling, Student Services, Summer Camp, and a Tuition Assistance Program. The school uses the Finalsite platform for its website and enrollment, with Clarity Financial Aid for tuition assistance processing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Early Childhood Program Education program for Nursery (age 3), Junior Kindergarten, and Senior Kindergarten using a Reggio Emilia approach, teaching Hebrew through games and songs, and fostering Jewish values such as Gemilut Chasadim (acts of kindness) and Kavod (respect). Tuition: $36,300-$39,200 annually.
• Lower School Program Grades 1-4 program that blends Jewish traditions with modern technology, teaching Tefillot (prayers), Hebrew language, Israeli culture, Jewish holidays, and Torah study while incorporating STEM. Tuition: $40,900 annually.
• Middle School Program Grades 5-8 program featuring the Nesharim (Eagles) program with in-depth Jewish studies courses covering Jewish Thought, Zionism, Jewish Ethics, American Jews and Israel, and Jewish History Through Art and Text. Includes advisory, service learning, and high school preparation. Tuition: $46,100-$46,500 annually.
• BZ Beyond After School Program After-school care and enrichment program offering crafts, building activities, imaginative play, outdoor time, and enrichment offerings for students from Nursery through 8th grade. Full-time extended day at $2,100/year or part-time at $440/day.
• Fine Arts Program Comprehensive arts education including the annual 8th Grade Operetta, music instruction, visual arts, and the Hanukkah Music Festival. Students learn musical instruments and participate in performances.
• Athletics Program School athletics program with various sports offerings managed by the Athletics Director. Students participate in games, annual track meet, and school athletics events.
• High School Counseling High school counseling service that guides 8th graders through the high school selection and application process, with 100% of students admitted to one of their top three high school choices.
• Tiyul: Eighth Grade Trip to Israel Eighth grade educational trip to Israel, a signature experience allowing students to develop deep connections to the land, people, and culture of Israel.
• Student Services Support services including social work, learning specialists, and accommodations for diverse learners to support students' academic, social, and emotional growth.
• Early Childhood Summer Camp Summer camp program for Early Childhood students offering age-appropriate activities during summer months.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30% of families received tuition assistance
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ISACS (Independent Schools Association of the Central States)coreOthersAccreditation and professional development partner providing standards and guidelines for independent school excellence.
• NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools)coreOthersPremium membership providing access to national resources, research, and advocacy for independent schools.
• LMAIS (Lake Michigan Association of Independent Schools)coreOthersRegional association connecting Chicago-area independent schools for collaboration and professional development.
• PRIZMAH (Center for Jewish Day Schools)coreOthersNational center providing resources, professional development, and support specifically for Jewish day schools.
• ISM (International School of Management)minorOthersOrganization providing management consulting and professional development resources for independent schools.
• Tuition Accessibility Partnership (TAP) FundcoreOthersAlternative tuition model capping Jewish day school tuition at 12% of family AGI for families with $200K-$350K income, regardless of number of children enrolled. Powered by Crown Family Philanthropies.
• Clarity Financial AidcoreTechnology or IntegrationThird-party financial aid platform used by Bernard Zell to determine family financial need through comprehensive applications including assets, income, expenses, and debts analysis. Provides equitable measurement of financial need.
• Independent School Management (ISM)minorOthersConsulting firm partnered with for strategic planning process, providing data collection, research support, and best practice frameworks.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Latin School of Chicago: Independent, non-sectarian K-12 private school located on Chicago's north side. Competes for the same affluent Chicago families considering private K-8 education, though without the Jewish studies specialization.
• Francis W. Parker School: Independent, non-sectarian PreK-12 school in Chicago with progressive educational philosophy. Competes for tuition-paying families in the same Chicago north-side market, though at a larger scale and without the Jewish day school focus.
• Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy: Jewish day school in the Philadelphia suburbs serving grades 6-12. Receives Bernard Zell graduates for high school and operates with the same integrated Jewish/general studies model, serving as both peer and pipeline.
• North Shore Country Day School: Independent, non-sectarian K-12 school in Winnetka serving Chicago's north shore suburbs. Comparable tuition tier and academic positioning; competes for families seeking private K-8 education in the broader Chicago market.
• Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School: Large K-12 Jewish day school in the Washington D.C. area serving over 1,000 students across multiple campuses. Larger and more established than Bernard Zell, but operates the same integrated Jewish/general studies model at scale.

Direct peers

• Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Boston: K-8 Jewish day school in the Solomon Schechter network providing integrated general and Judaic studies. Comparable programmatic model and tuition tier to Bernard Zell, illustrating the broader Jewish day school category.
• Akiba-Schechter Jewish Day School: Another Jewish day school in the Chicago metropolitan area serving K-8 students with integrated general and Jewish studies. Most direct geographic and curricular competitor to Bernard Zell in the local market.
• Hannah Senesh Community Day School: Independent K-8 Jewish day school offering integrated Jewish and general studies curriculum with a comparable mission. Comparable size and program structure to Bernard Zell, though based in Brooklyn rather than Chicago.

Emerging players

• The Heschel School: Independent K-12 Jewish day school in New York City with pluralistic philosophy and integrated curriculum. Comparable in mission and program design to Bernard Zell, though larger and serving an older grade range.

Others

• Gann Academy: Jewish high school in Waltham, Massachusetts serving grades 9-12. Functions as a downstream pipeline option for Bernard Zell graduates and operates the same pluralistic Jewish educational philosophy at the high school level.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC9rthBR7eAEZZG_PNIEoACQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/bzaeds
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/bernardzell
• Instagraminstagram.com/bernardzell
• Xx.com/BZAEDS

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School