Our History
Akiba-Schechter was established as a unique venture in Jewish education when Akiba South Side Jewish Day School and Solomon Schechter South Side School joined forces in 1972. Akiba South Side Day School (founded in 1949) and Solomon Schechter South Side School (founded in 1965) saw their bold merger as the best way to perpetuate Jewish day school education on Chicago’s South Side. Since 1972, Akiba-Schechter has been run under the auspices of both the Associated Talmud Torahs (Orthodox) and the Board of Jewish Education (Community). Since 1988, Akiba-Schechter has been under the superb leadership of Mrs. Miriam Schiller, its sixth principal.
In 1998 the School purchased from neighboring Congregation Rodfei Zedek two buildings in which it had operated since 1972 – Hoffman House (home to the elementary school) and the 1960s pre-school building. In less than two years, from June 2003 to April 2005, Akiba-Schechter bid farewell to Hoffman House and built the striking new elementary school building used today. The new building was designed by Chicago’s award-winning architect John Ronan and has received much critical acclaim.
Akiba-Schechter Jewish Day School is accredited by the State of Illinois and is affiliated with Associated Talmud Torahs and Community Foundation for Jewish Education of Metropolitan Chicago. Akiba-Schechter is a beneficiary agency of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, supported by the Jewish United Fund. Akiba-Schechter’s Pre-School and Kindergarten is a an accredited program open to all children.
A partner in serving our community, supported by the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation and ATT.