Hillel Day School in Farmington Hills will open the 2026-27 school year with 641 students, a 30-student jump that marks the pre-K-through-eighth-grade school's highest enrollment since 2003.

That number may still climb.

Head of School Dr. Darin Katz told The Jewish News on Wednesday, Aug. 12, that the school is still fielding inquiries. "We are still getting phone calls for this coming school year. It could maybe be higher in the next couple weeks," he said.

The growth means larger class sizes and new academic offerings for Farmington Hills families choosing the school. For the coming year, Hillel is rolling out a new middle school math curriculum, new Israel education courses for sixth and seventh graders, and a new shlicha (Israeli emissary) to teach Hebrew.

What's driving the surge

Katz pointed to strong relationships with area Jewish preschools, including Temple Israel, Temple Beth El, The J and Lamplighters, whose families often consider Hillel when their children age out of early childhood programs. He also cited growing demand among Metro Detroit Jewish parents for identity-focused education amid rising antisemitism.

Director of Enrollment Management Arielle Endelman said community and security are common themes she hears from prospective families.

Tuition assistance reaches most families

Seventy percent of Hillel families receive tuition assistance, according to Katz. The school also offers what he described as Metro Detroit's only Jewish communal professional discount: 30% off tuition for children of Jewish communal professionals, on top of any additional aid.

Part of a national trend

Hillel's growth mirrors a broader shift. A recent Prizmah report found enrollment across its network of 305 Jewish day schools rose from about 94,000 students in 2021-22 to roughly 101,000 in 2025-26, a 7.5% gain. Non-Orthodox enrollment grew 3% from 2021 to 2024, while Reform day school enrollment rose 5% over the same period, reversing years of decline.

Prizmah CEO Paul Bernstein credited the shift to population growth in some Jewish communities, new philanthropic investment, a desire for Jewish community following the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks and greater accessibility through scholarship programs.

How to enroll

Families interested in Hillel Day School can visit hillelday.org or contact Endelman at [email protected].