Annual Report 2025-2026
Our Mission The Jewish Leadership Academy is a world-class Jewish Middle and Upper School dedicated to developing the skills, curiosity, and potential of Miami’s most ambitious students for a life of purpose, commitment, and service.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Message from Our Board President ........ 4 Message from Our Head of School .......... 5 Leadership .............................................................. 6 Admissions ............................................................... 7 Academics & Awards ......................................... 10 Zionism ..................................................................... 12 Signature Programs .......................................... 13 Service Entrepreneurship Program ......... 14 Community Engagement .............................. 16 Our Technology .................................................. 18 Continuing Education ..................................... 19 Volunteer Corp .................................................. 20 Indexed Tuition ................................................... 22
A MESSAGE FROM:
Our Board President
Dear JLA Community, As Jewish Leadership Academy concludes its third year, I find myself reflecting on how far we have come in such a short period of time. What began as an ambitious vision has become a thriving school community, and this year marked an especially meaningful milestone: the graduation of our first senior class. Watching these students walk across the stage was a powerful reminder that JLA is no longer simply a new school—we are now beginning to see the first fruits of the mission that inspired our founding. This year also represented an important transition in the life of the institution. In our early years, success was measured largely by our ability to build: attracting students, recruiting faculty, opening a campus, and establishing a culture. While growth remains important, our focus is increasingly shifting from building the school to strengthening it. We continue to invest in academic excellence, welcoming new academic leadership and enhancing our college counseling program, while also focusing on the systems and processes that will support continuous improvement for years to come. The Board has spent considerable time this year advancing our strategic priorities. We have expanded our efforts to gather meaningful feedback from students, parents, and faculty, helping us better understand both our strengths and the areas where we can improve. We have welcomed new members to the Board and continued our commitment to ensuring the long-term sustainability of JLA's indexed tuition model, which remains central to our vision of creating a school that is both excellent and accessible. While enrollment continues to grow and demand for admission remains exceptionally strong, we remain focused on something far more important than numbers. Our goal is not simply to build a larger school, but to cultivate a diverse community of intellectually curious, academically motivated, and deeply engaged Jewish students. Through programs such as SEP and JLA BaAretz, and through the daily experiences that shape life on our campus, we seek to develop graduates who will contribute meaningfully to the Jewish people, the State of Israel, and the broader world. There is still much work ahead. Building a great institution requires patience, discipline, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Yet as I look at our students, faculty, parents, supporters, and alumni, I am filled with confidence in what lies ahead. Together, we are not only educating the next generation of leaders—we are helping shape the future of the Jewish community itself. Thank you for your partnership, your trust, and your belief in this extraordinary project. We are in this together. Sincerely, Daniel Ades
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Our Head of School
Dear JLA Community, That first step into the Beit Midrash was nothing short of magical. Dressed in full academic regalia, I was leading the processional for our first JLA Upper School graduation. And as I gazed across the room at the adoring family, friends, and faculty, the gravity of the moment truly sunk in. The innumerable hours and indescribable efforts of our founders and supporters, our faculty and leadership; the trust of our parents and grit of our students; the community that emerged and energy it created had all contributed to the fulfillment of a dream. A class of bright, curious, diverse, driven, kind, proudly Jewish, and passionately Zionist, alumni armed with a JLA education were ready to make their mark on the world. But Upper School graduation wasn’t the only dream fulfilled in the 2025-2026 school year. When we first launched the school we envisioned a Ba’aretz program where our Upper School would spend the first month of every school year in Israel. We did it in Year One, but the war forced us to pivot for Year Two. For 2025-2026, despite the lingering tension in the region, we were back. And the dream of starting every school year this way, became a reality. We had a dream when we first conceived of our Service Entrepreneurship Program as well. It was to give our kids the tools, exposure, and desire to launch their very own non-profit organizations while still in high school. In May of this year we did exactly that. In front of the entire school, our 11th grade finalists pitched their original concept for a non-profit to a panel of seasoned executives from the finance, start-up, and philanthropic worlds. For them, it was an opportunity to raise real capital to put their ideas into practice. For us, it was yet another dream come true. The same was true when the competition level math track we had envisioned resulted in student placements that put them amongst the very top of independent schools in our region. And when middle school coders produced an app for a hackathon that won the interest of outside venture capital. And the list goes on. And yet, with all of the dreams that came true last year, there are so many more that are yet unrealized. The combination of outstanding students and world class faculty that we are privileged to work with every day is unparalleled and so the potential for what we can accomplish together knows no bounds. It is your continued support that allows us to continue dreaming and to continue transforming those dreams into reality. In the pages that follow, you’ll see this dream in action — through our students’ achievements, our growing programs and community, and the generosity that fuels it all. So thank you for being part of this extraordinary endeavor. Sincerely, Gil Perl
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Leadership Board of Trustees Daniel Ades President
Isaac Fisher*
Gisela Ades
Mark Kleinman
Jassi Antebi
Anna Shields-Bartfeld
Matan Ben-Aviv
Nir Shoshani*
Administration
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Rabbi Dr. Gil Perl Head of School
Yamit Linde Director of Communications
Joe Sharp* CFO/COO
Joaquin Infante Director of Technology
Dr. Debbie Stone Associate Head of School, Upper School
Rabbi Yechiel Shaffer Campus Rabbi
Zachary Cohen Associate Head of School, Middle School
Rabbi Yosef Albo Director of Jewish Life
Jenna Gasner Director of Operations
RC Ganser* Athletic Director
Leah Shamosh Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management
Emma Goldberg Director of Investor Relations & Indexed Tuition
*This denotes that the 25/26 school year was their last year at JLA
Admissions Report Our new students came from:
35
DIFFERENT FEEDER SCHOOLS
16
DIFFERENT CITIES
18
COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN*
*by Parents' Country of Origin
Orthodox Jewish Day School
Public
Pluralistic Jewish Day School
Independent
Charter School
Homeschool
19.2%
25.6%
3.8%
In just three years, JLA has grown from 99 students to 236 - with 78 new families having joined our community this year. This is also the year JLA became complete - a full 6th through 12th grade school with 135 middle schoolers, 101 upper schoolers, and our first graduating class of seniors walking across the stage.
19.2% 32.1%
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The Class of 2026 We are incredibly proud to celebrate our senior class as they prepare to leave JLA and venture onto new beginnings. This group of twelve extraordinary individuals has poured years of hard work, passion, and leadership into our community, and their results speak for themselves. The Class of 2026 earned three acceptances to Top 10 universities, four to Top 20 universities, and four to Florida's top-ranked private university. Their admissions also span the nation's most selective specialized programs, including the country's #1 ranked undergraduate entrepreneurship program, the #5 ranked art and design program, a Top 10 business program, a Top 15 engineering program, and Israel’s #1 ranked university.
$715K
MERIT DOLLARS collectively earned for freshman year alone
Our small but mighty class was heavily recruited, earning a staggering collective total of over $715,000 in prestigious merit scholarships and grants for their freshman year alone, translating to a monumental $2.8 million over four years. Their offers included the Brandeis Presidential Award, the Muhlenberg Presidential Award, the Rollins Dean’s Scholarship, and major merit packages from Pratt, the University of Miami, George Washington University, and American University. We could not be prouder of who they are and where they are going.
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What Makes a JLA Education Different Academics at JLA include a rigorous cross-disciplinary curriculum and an 8:1 student-to-teacher ratio designed to challenge our students to reach their potential. Our students are encouraged to think critically, ask hard questions, and do work that matters. Ms. Assraf’s coding students put their problemsolving skills to the test in a high-stakes Coding Escape Room Challenge. Working in teams, students decoded secret messages and applied their Python skills to crack codes and contain a simulated security breach.
In Dr. Jackson’s class, students stepped into the roles of military advisors, scientists, and diplomats to debate whether the U.S. should have used the atomic bomb against Germany if it had been ready. Through primary sources and a Harkness discussion led by “President Roosevelt,” students discovered that history’s most important questions rarely have simple answers.
After studying environmental chemistry and water scarcity, Ms. Grant's 9th-grade students designed and built water filtration systems using everyday materials. By testing water quality before and after filtration, students successfully removed contaminants and gained firsthand experience tackling one of the world's most pressing environmental challenges.
Rabbi Shaffer’s students dove into the Books of Samuel, stepping into the role of publicists for King David, either designing a modern social media campaign for the king or crafting an original screenplay inspired by the text.
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Beyond the Classroom NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY
43
27
81 CLUBS
Different clubs from French Fusion Club to Model UN to Chess
NHS
Junior NHS
37
20
26
Math NHS
Science NHS
HE B R E W HO N O R SO C I E T Y
National English HS
Hebrew HS
ACADEMIC AWARDS AND FELLOWSHIPS
Scholastic Art & Writing
Junior Orange Bowl
Harvard Political Review Essay Competition
Bronfman Fellowship
MATHCOUNTS Competition
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White Rose Essay
“I will never forget the moments I stood at the Kotel feeling so close to G-d and feeling like my true self, like I was exactly where I needed to be.”
Zionism
“When I got back, a small Palestinian protest amassed in my neighborhood. Instead of shouting at them I took pride in my identity and I had an actual conversation with them. I even changed and educated one of them.” “When I kept shabbat, I felt a strong sense of Jewish pride and connection because I had never kept it before.”
- Student reflection on JLA BaAretz
JLA Ba’Aretz JLA Ba’Aretz was a remarkable and transformative month-long experience for our Upper School students. Based at the Israel Goldstein Youth Village in Katamon, in the heart of Jerusalem, students engaged in meaningful academic learning in Jewish History, Modern Israel and Zionism, Torah, and Hebrew. What makes JLA Ba’Aretz so powerful is the way classroom learning comes alive through direct experience. Fullday excursions across the country related to the in-class curriculum, hands-on volunteering, cultural exploration, and a wide range of electives in the arts, sports, and physical training allowed students to encounter Israel with their minds, hearts, and bodies. Through learning, exploration, service, creativity, and community, JLA Ba’Artez deepened students’ connection to Israel, strengthened their Jewish identity and created memories, friendships, and formative experiences that will stay with them for years to come.
Yom HaZikaron & Yom HaAtzmaut Nearly 500 members of our community gathered for a moving Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut program honoring more than 35 community members who served in the IDF. The evening featured the lighting of memorial candles and 12 torches representing the 12 tribes of Israel - a powerful reminder that we persevere as a nation only when we are united. Rabbi Dr. Gil Perl spoke about our responsibility not only to stand for Israel, but to feel that we are of Israel - a home that belongs to each of us. Middle and Upper School students performed classic Israeli songs and dances, and the Upper School Boys Choir led a celebratory tefillah that carried the community from remembrance to celebration with unity and meaning.
Israel Education Israel education at JLA inspires students to see Israel not only as a place to study, but as a living part of their identity and future. This year, students were inspired by Eli Beer, founder of United Hatzalah, on the impact one person can have when driven to save lives, stood in solidarity on the day of the Jerusalem Marathon with Olympic Skeleton athlete Jared Firestone, and tackled an Israeli-American Council educational escape room using their understanding of anti-Zionist rhetoric to solve clues. Nir Caspi, co-founder of Cafe Landwer and a former Israeli Navy SEAL, shared how service, resilience, and creativity shape a life of purpose in Israel’s StartUp Nation. Together, these programs build a relationship with Israel rooted in knowledge, pride, responsiblity, and personal connection.
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Signature Programs Soul Center Soul Center ignites a lifelong love of Judaism through incusive, experiential learning for Middle and Upper School students. By weaving together Torah, Jewish values, history, and creativity, the program brings the weekly Parsha, holidays, and Jewish identity to life in ways that are relevant, memorable, and deeply engaging. This year’s highlights ranged from Theory Beit Din, a simulated court debating ethical and halachic questions, to a schoolwide JLA Voices performance of “Ani Maamin” with live student musicians, an original student-produced music video, and a pop-up museum gallery tracing Jewish history from Avraham Avina through October 7.
Morning Joe Morning Joe, our weekly forum on current events, digital citizenship, and media literacy, is one of JLA’s most distinctive learning experiences. Upper School students engage in robust debate on the stories sharing our world, sharpening their ability ro separate fact from opinion and recognize the angles and agendas behind the media they consume. At the Middle School level, students explore the week’s headlines, with an emphasis on polite discourse, rational thinking, and discussing complex topics with respect and clarity.
Senior Independent Study The Senior Independent Study Course challenges each member of our graduating class to propose, plan, and execute a substantive year-long project of their own design, culminating in a public defense before a faculty panel. This year’s twelve projects ranged from launching businesses and tutoring platforms to original music, ambitious art projects, and an app to raise awareness of Jewish events. One project, which passed with distinction, began as a children’s book in the Judeo-Moroccan dialect of the student’s ancestors and evolved into a fully designed Moroccan-inspired clothing line.
Language Lab During Language Lab, students strengthen their Hebrew listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills through activities aligned with their Hebrew classes. A highlight of this year’s program was our monthly parent visits, when different parents joined the students and, speaking entirely in Hebrew, shared stories about their lives, experiences, and backgrounds. These visits gave Grade 6 | Beginnings students the unique opportunity to engage with Hebrew in an authentic setting. Through these 6th graders had field trips personal stories, parents inspired students and helped bring the Hebrew language to life. all 3 weeks, finishing at the trampoline bounce park.
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“The burning of the Talmud in Campo di Fiori moved me the most. I saw that although our enemies tried their best to destroy our books so we could not teach future generations, they failed. I feel now that I have a duty to keep learning and teaching what I learn to other people, to make sure our ideas and identity remain untouchable.”
Service Entrepreneurship Program - Student reflection on JLA BaAretz
Bringing the Jewish values of Chesed and Tikkun Olam to life through a seven-year curriculum that cultivates compassionate, confident leaders. Every Friday, JLA students step out of the classroom and into the community, combining meaningful service, exposure to nonprofit leadership, and instruction in Design Thinking. GRADES 6-7
EXPOSURE
Understanding challenges facing our community. Students meet our community partners and build awareness of the challenges they face. This year, through our partnership with Ji4Life, students served as weekly training partners for children and young adults with disabilities on the campus ninja course. GRADE 8
DESIGN THINKING
Identifying problems. Designing solutions. Students learn Design Thinking and apply it to create real solutions for real organizations. After volunteering at Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, one group designed and 3D-printed a full deck of playing cards with braille markings and tactile suit indicators.
GRADES 9-10
LEADERSHIP
Deepening service and taking ownership. Students build sustained partnerships and take on full service-learning projects. This year, one team partnered with a local homeless shelter to design a personal finance platform for residents, present it on-site, and field their questions. GRADES 11-12
LAUNCH
From vision to venture. Students learn nonprofit management, including fundraising, grant writing, organizational design, and eventually build ventures of the own. The program culminated with The Ripple Challenge, during which six impressive finalists pitched their ventures to a panel of judges for the chance to win real seed funding.
14
$20,000 Seed Capital Secured
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Community Since opening our doors, we’ve been committed to building meaningful connections with our local community. This vision came to life when we offered to host the PreThanksgiving Dinner for the New Shiloh Baptist Church, located just three blocks down on 95th Street. The event brought together over 200 guests from New Shiloh and JLA families for an evening of shared meals, dialogue, and mutual respect. It was a beautiful opportunity to break down stereotypes, foster understanding, and celebrate the power of community.
U M In November we welcomed over 250 students from 40 schools across South Florida from 3rd grade through 8th grade for our second annual Mini Mu Math competition! It was a full day packed with tests, games and friendly competition. In addition to elementary school math, Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, and Geometry, students competed in speed math, mental math, and even Rubiks Cube. The day was a testament to the power of community and a shared love of mathematics among the students.
HACKAT HO
MIN I
THANKSGIV I
NG
N
LT EDUCAT U I AD
N O
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We were thrilled to host our second annual JLA Hackathon, with 86 students across 21 teams — representing a dynamic mix of public and private schools from across the region. Participants rose to the challenge of Changing the Game in FinTech: Innovating for a Smarter Financial Future. Three respected judges from the technology industry lent their expertise to the panel, providing our students with invaluable real-world feedback. The results spoke for themselves: one of JLA’s Upper School teams earned a 2nd place finish, and one of JLA’s Middle School teams attracted actual investor interest to bring their concept to life.
Our commitment to meaningful adult Jewish learning continued this year with The Making of Modern Judaism, a four-part lecture series taught by Rabbi Dr. Gil Perl. The series brought parents and community members together to explore the origins and development of the major denominations of American Judaism. Through engaging learning and thoughtful conversation, the series offered participants a deeper understanding of the diverse expressions of modern Jewish life and created another meaningful opportunity for our community to learn and grow together. Morah Vered led parent Hebrew classes this year, providing parents with the opportunity to strengthen their Hebrew skills, build confidence, and deepen their connection to the language alongside fellow members of our community.
Engagement OPEN M
IC
HT NIG
On February 13th, 2025, we hosted a wonderful Open Mic Night that showcased the creativity, talent, and confidence of our students. It was inspiring to see so many students eager to perform, and just as special to see their peers enthusiastically cheering them on. From pop songs and recitations of Poe to trivia Kahoots, political satire, and thoughtful reflections on AI, there was truly something for everyone. It was a memorable evening celebrating self-expression, creativity, and community!
CH
BAKE LAH AL
This year, more than 300 women and girls gathered for our Third Annual Challah Bake. Together, we mixed and braided challah, shared prayers for our community, and celebrated the traditions that connect us. Seeing our gym filled with so many people participating in this meaningful evening was truly special. The energy and sense of togetherness could be felt throughout the room, culminating in a joyful celebration as everyone joined together in dance before the challahs went into the oven. The evening was a powerful reminder of how our Jewish traditions bring our families, staff, and community together.
PU
M RI
This year at JLA, we transformed our gym into a lively disco rollerblading party to celebrate Purim! Students and families enjoyed delicious desserts, great music, and plenty of fun rollerblading around the gym. During the Megillah reading, students brought the story to life by dressing up as different characters, adding to the festive spirit of the evening. We also had an awesome raffle with exciting prizes that added even more fun to the celebration. The energy was incredible, and the atmosphere was filled with joy and Purim spirit.
Night of the Arts this year was our most ambitious celebration yet, highlighting the breadth, creativity, and individuality of our students. One parent captured the spirit of the evening perfectly, sharing that they “saw JLA in technicolor.” The event featured a vibrant art gallery showcasing student work across a range of mediums: short films, a 10-minute student-written musical, a dance performance, and live band performances. The evening demonstrated the strength of an Arts program that gives students meaningful opportunities to develop, share, and celebrate their individual voices.
OF THE ART S HT G
NI
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Our Technology At JLA, technology isn’t just in the classroom. It’s built around each student. Every lesson is captured, every class is available to revisit, and every student has access to a personal AI tutor that adapts to how they learn. This year, our investment in technology delivered on its promise: to meet each student exactly where they are.
3,368
Flint AI sessions accessible to students
489
activities built by teachers
11,424 classes recorded and searchable
47,678
remote classes joined by students this year
That personal tutor is Flint, an AI-powered learning platform purpose-built for K-12 education. It adjusts to each student’s pace, translates lessons into other languages, and builds study guides tailored to individual needs. This year, teachers built nearly 500 activities across the curriculum and students logged over 3,300 sessions on the platform, the vast majority working independently. The same philosphy extends to the classroom itself. Every JLA classroom runs on Zoom, and of the more than 11,500 class sessions held this year, 99% were automatically recorded and made instantly searchable, so any student can revisit a lesson, review before a test, or catch up after an absence, entirely on their own schedule. AI-generated lecture summaries were accessed nearly 1,500 times over the coures of the year, a clear sign that our students aren’t just consuming content but actively directing their own learning.
Flint Usage by Role Admins 0.3% Teachers 21.9%
Students 77.8%
Flint Activity by Subject Social Studies
English
Math
Other
60%
50%
40%
“It’s not just about technology. It’s about building an environment where every student can truly participate and excel.”
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- Rabbi Dr. Gil Perl, Head of School
30%
20%
10%
0%
Social Studies
English
Math
Other
Continuing Education At JLA, we believe that a great education begins with great educators. Our teachers are not only masters of their subjects—they are lifelong learners themselves, modeling the very mindset we aim to instill in our students. For the 25/26 academic year, 70% of our faculty held advanced degrees beyond a Bachelor’s, with 45% having earned their Master’s and an impressive 25% holding doctoral degrees.
Six teachers were actively furthering their own education:
Shelly Assraf
Amy Biscombe
Computer Science Teacher pursuing a Master’s of Science in Computer Engineering Network Security
Mathematics Teacher pursuing a Doctorate in Leadership and Education
Zoe Grant
Kimberly Hughes
Science Teacher pursuing a Master's of Science in Chemistry
Librarian (and our 25/26 Humanities Chair) pursuing a Doctorate in Instructional Design
Shalhevet Cahana Judaics Teacher pursuing a Doctorate in Jewish Education
At every level, we are constantly asking how we can do better—for our students, for our craft, and for each other. That drive for excellence starts with our faculty, and we are proud to showcase their continued growth.
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Volunteer Corps At JLA, we believe that service is most powerful when it becomes part of who we are. Throughout the 2025– 2026 school year, our Parent Volunteer Corps brought that belief to life, generously giving their time, energy, and talents to strengthen both the JLA community and the greater South Florida community. Beyond our campus, parents rolled up their sleeves to support organizations serving some of our community’s most vulnerable populations. They built furniture for apartments serving foster youth aging out of the system, prepared and served lunch to women and children at Lotus House, and spent meaningful time with seniors at Easterseals during a special Valentine’s Day visit. Volunteer Corps members also prepared meals at Healing Hearts and volunteered with Voices for Children, helping organize donations of toys and clothing.
11 UNIQUE
VOLUNTEER
oppurtunities this year
Their service was equally present within the walls of JLA. Parent volunteers shared their skills with students by delivering presentations in Hebrew during Language Lab and supported our students during lunch, encouraging healthy and balanced choices. They helped prepare ingredients and transform the space for the JLA Challah Bake, created beautiful flower arrangements for our Thanksgiving dinner, and played an important role in the SEP Kindness Fair, helping our middle school students participate in activities benefiting local nonprofit organizations. The Volunteer Corps ended the year in the same spirit in which they served throughout it: with gratitude. Parents prepared and delivered appreciation gifts to every member of JLA’s faculty and staff, recognizing the people who give so much to our students and school each day. What makes the Parent Volunteer Corps so special is not simply the number of projects they undertake, but the example they set for our students. Whether preparing a meal, visiting a senior, supporting a school program, or helping a young person in need, our parents demonstrate that leadership means showing up and taking responsibility for the community around us.
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we learn we grow we lead
TOGETHER
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Indexed Tuition JLA’s mission is to identify and develop the community’s most ambitious students into a generation of Jewish leaders, regardless of financial means. Our admissions process is fully need-blind, so every student who earns a place at JLA has a path to enrollment. Full tuition at JLA is $48,000 at the Middle School level and $52,000 at the Upper School level. Through our Indexed Tuition program, families pay across six tiers scaled to their means, ranging from full tuition down to $4,500 after state scholarships. The result is a socio-economically diverse student body, by design. This year, 74% of JLA families received tuition assistance through the Indexed Tuition program. With the help of our donors, JLA funded an estimated $6 million to close the gap between what families can pay and what it costs to educate each student. Every dollar of tuition assistance comes from people investing in our students and in the next generation of Jewish leaders.
2025-2026 Tuition Tiers Tuition amounts after estimated state scholarship
$44,100 (US) | $40,100(MS)
26%
TIER A
$34,000
6%
TIER B
$26,000
8%
TIER C
$18,000
12%
TIER D
$12,000
18%
TIER E
$8,000
10%
TIER E
$4,500
20%
FULL TUITION
Percentage of families in each tier
22
SUPPORT OUR MISSION
975 NW 95th St | Miami, FL 33150 305-306-2660 www.jlamiami.org