From Aleph to graduation: Hebrew Foundation School launching a high school
- Jeremy Zafran - The Suburban
- Jun 24
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 7
A long-standing gap in West Island Jewish education may soon be filled as Hebrew Foundation School (HFS) prepares to launch its first high school program, a move school leaders say will strengthen community life and provide families with a local option for Jewish secondary education.
The new high school is scheduled to welcome its inaugural Grade 7 class in the 2027-28 academic year, following more than a year of planning and consultation. In announcing the project to families, HFS described the initiative as “an investment in the future of Jewish life and education throughout the West Island.”
“This is much more than opening a high school,” said Eva Ohnouna, executive director of HFS. “It’s an investment in the future of Jewish life in the West Island.”
Ohnouna said the project emerged after years of requests from parents seeking a local continuation of the school’s elementary program. “Parents have been asking us for this for a very long time,” she said. “We studied the viability, received board approval, and worked for 14 months with a dedicated committee before reaching this stage.”
The school has partnered with Congregation Beth Tikvah and secured a private-school permit, allowing it to operate independently of some restrictions faced by other institutions.
Unlike many Jewish high schools in the Montreal area, the new HFS program will be located in the West Island, reducing lengthy daily commutes that many students currently face. “There are students spending a significant amount of time travelling every day,” Ohnouna said. “We felt there was a real need for a high-quality Jewish high school closer to home.”
The school plans to begin with Grade 7 and add subsequent grades as enrolment grows. High school students will occupy a dedicated floor within the Beth Tikvah campus while remaining connected to the broader HFS community.
Stephanie Havas, director of operations and school organization, said the project is designed to serve the entire West Island Jewish community, not only current HFS families. “We want this to be a community school in every sense of the word,” Havas said. “Whether students are currently in public school, private school, another Jewish school, or HFS, this is an opportunity for families across the West Island.”
School officials are actively encouraging interest from families beyond the current HFS community. Information sessions are being opened to parents whose children attend public schools, private schools, and other Jewish institutions throughout the West Island.
School leaders say the high school will combine academic excellence with Jewish education, leadership development, and strong student support services. Ohnouna said one of the school’s distinguishing features will be its commitment to French-language education. Over the past several years, HFS has transitioned to a fully integrated French immersion model and invested in a language laboratory. “We want our students to be successful citizens of Quebec,” she said. “Strong French skills are essential, and we’re proud of the work we’ve done to build that foundation.”
The school also reflects the evolving demographics of Montreal’s Jewish community. Ohnouna said HFS now serves an almost equal mix of Sephardic and Ashkenazi families, and the new high school will continue that inclusive approach. “We are a community school,” she said. “Our goal is to create a place where every Jewish family feels welcome, regardless of their level of observance or background.”
Amanda Meltzer, marketing and communications coordinator, said that philosophy will be reflected throughout the program. “We’re building a school that represents the diversity of the Jewish community,” Meltzer said. “Students will learn about both Sephardi and Ashkenazi traditions while developing a strong sense of belonging and identity.”
She added that affordability was a major consideration during the planning process. “We wanted to create a program that would be accessible to more families,” Meltzer said. “Our tuition will be competitive and significantly lower than many other private Jewish high schools, with student services included rather than added as extra fees.”
The announcement comes during a period of growth for HFS, which has expanded enrolment, enhanced its academic programming, and strengthened ties with community organizations throughout the West Island.
School officials also see the project as part of a broader effort to establish the campus as a hub for Jewish life in the region. “We already have so many community organizations working together in the West Island,” Havas said. “This is another step toward creating a central gathering place for Jewish families.”
For Ohnouna, the project represents the next chapter in the school’s history. “We’re excited because this is something our community has asked for and helped shape,” she said. “We’re building something that will benefit not only today’s students, but future generations of West Island Jewish families.”