Cleveland schools to cut tuition for Jewish communal employees

NEW YORK — Two Cleveland-area Jewish day schools are introducing tuition discounts for the children of Jewish communal employees.

Starting in the 2013-14 term, the nondenominational Agnon School, which has 332 students, will offer a 40 percent discount to parents who work at agencies affiliated with the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, synagogues and other approved Jewish community organizations.

The Gross Schechter School, a Conservative institution with 270 students, will offer a 35 percent discount. It is also offering a $1,000 tuition reduction for families that refer additional students who end up enrolling.

Agnon’s tuition ranges from $8,300 to $11,850; Schechter’s costs are from $8,150 to $10,200. Both schools, which serve preschool through eighth grade, are continuing to offer needs-based financial aid as well.

“We think this will allow many more people to see day school as an option,” said Jerry Isaak-Shapiro, Agnon’s head of school.

Isaak-Shapiro estimates that applying the discount to eligible students who are already enrolled will cost the school $36,000. The cost for new students will depend on how many enroll.

Agnon has no “specific commitment” from funders to cover the added expense, he said, but will instead do so through increasing enrollment and “overall financial responsibility.”

Approximately 80,000 Jews live in the Cleveland area.