Helena Levine, Head of School, Donna Klein Jewish Academy
Helena Levine, Head of School at Donna Klein Jewish Academy, sat down with Invest: to discuss the school’s transformative five-year strategic plan, which includes campus renovations, a capital and endowment campaign, and a focus on financial sustainability amid continued enrollment growth. “We have an extraordinary future ahead of us,” Levine said. “For years, people called DKJA the best-kept secret in town, but today, we’re no longer a secret. We are a thriving dynamic community and a premier destination for Jewish education, preparing the next generation of leaders with purpose and pride.”
What changes over the past year have had the biggest impact on Donna Klein Jewish Academy?
We are embarking on a bold new five-year strategic plan as DKJA celebrates its 46th anniversary. This is more than a plan, it is a vision to propel us into the next era. With campus renovations underway, a capital campaign already exceeding expectations, and the launch of an endowment to ensure long-term stability, we are laying the foundation for a vibrant future. Over the past decade as Head of School, I have witnessed extraordinary momentum at DKJA. Standing on the shoulders of those who built the foundation before me, I am proud to say that DKJA is no longer Boca’s best-kept secret. We are a recognized leader in Jewish education.
What is next in the pipeline for DKJA in terms of capital improvements?
Our growth has been remarkable, increasing from 520 students just seven years ago to nearly 800 today. As enrollment has surged, so has our footprint: over the past decade we’ve expanded by more than 50 percent in square footage, steadily transforming DKJA into the true footprint of a DKJA campus. Most recently, we were honored with a historic campus gift that enables us to continue building for the future, including the development of a beautiful new outdoor pavilion on newly acquired land. Yet even with these expansions, we are quickly nearing capacity, an extraordinary reflection of the demand for a DKJA education. Looking ahead, our vision is not only to add space, but to create a cohesive, unified campus that embodies the excellence and spirit of our school.
How do you instill Jewish values among your students?
Our mission is deeply rooted in Jewish values, and everything we do is designed to raise the next generation of Jewish leaders. Alongside a rigorous academic program, we teach our students how to think critically, equipping them to lead with clarity and confidence. We nurture our students in a warm, supportive community so they graduate with a strong sense of self, identity, and purpose. Time and again, we hear from alumni who enter college confident, articulate, and grounded in Jewish history and values. They are prepared not only to face the challenges of the world but to lead with courage, compassion, and a commitment to building peace and strengthening community wherever they go.
How is DKJA attracting a new student population?
DKJA is a true community day school, attracting students from every walk of Jewish life. We embrace diversity in observance, background, academics, and financial means, ensuring that our school reflects the full spectrum of Jewish community life. More than 40 percent of our families receive tuition assistance, making a DKJA education accessible and inclusive. Families are joining us from across the country and around the world, and since October 7, we’ve seen even greater demand as antisemitism has risen globally. While those circumstances are heartbreaking, they affirm the importance of our mission: DKJA is more than a school, it is a safe haven, a vibrant Jewish community, and a place where mission-appropriate students can find belonging, opportunity, and success.
How is Donna Klein providing financial aid and promoting affordable and accessible education for students who need it the most?
Our mission and our students always come first. Too often, families assume they cannot afford a Jewish education, but when they reach out, we are able to help, through state funding and tuition assistance. We pride ourselves on being accessible and responsive, ensuring that no student is denied the opportunity to benefit from a DKJA education because of finances. That commitment is core to who we are.
From your perspective, what should be the value proposition of a modern education?
At DKJA, we believe the ultimate purpose of education is to raise the next generation of Jewish leaders who will make the world a better, more compassionate place. In today’s increasingly divided world, leadership requires more than knowledge, it demands the ability to listen, to engage in dialogue, and to put the greater good ahead of personal agendas. That’s why we place equal emphasis on academic excellence and on values like kindness, empathy, and responsibility. If every child were raised with these principles, our society would look very different. We are deeply committed to raising leaders who see every person’s humanity, and who lead with integrity, purpose, and courage.
As you look at the changing needs and expectations of your students, how are you constructing and updating your curriculum to align with those demands?
The world is changing rapidly, we don’t even know what jobs our students will be stepping into. That’s why it’s essential that we teach them how to think, not what to think. Tools like AI will continue to evolve, but it is critical that students learn to use them responsibly, without losing their own critical thinking skills. Emotional intelligence, creativity, and the ability to walk into a room and truly engage with others, these are the skills that will set our students apart. Our theme this year is Rooted in Tradition, Driven by Innovation. It perfectly captures who we are: firmly grounded in Jewish values and heritage, while also embracing innovation to prepare students for the future. At DKJA, we remind our students that there are often multiple correct answers, and that the courage to think differently is what drives progress.
