Milken Community Schools

What if I told you that right here, nestled in the Bel Air area of Los Angeles, stands a school that’s more than just bricks and mortar? Milken Community Schools. It’s a place where sharp minds, generous hearts, and kind souls are nurtured. Milken Community Schools isn’t just a school, it’s a testament to the power of education and community. Originally affiliated with Stephen S. Wise Temple, a Reform congregation, Milken Community Schools became independent in July 2012. It’s grown from humble beginnings to become one of the largest Jewish day schools in the United States. The story of Milken Community Schools begins in 1984 in Van Nuys as the Golda Meir School. Later, it was renamed Einstein Academy. Then, after becoming affiliated with Stephen S. Wise Temple, it became Stephen S. Wise High School. A significant donation from the Milken Family Foundation in 1995 led to its renaming as Milken Community High School. The Milken name honors Lowell and Michael Milken’s commitment to education. Imagine the campus in the mid-90s, with the Upper School housed in temporary trailers where the Middle School now stands. The current Upper School campus, a $30 million project, opened its doors in 1998. Even the Middle School occupied temporary trailers on the parking lot of the Bel Air Presbyterian Church until its own campus was completed in 2009. In 2011, Milken Community High School and Stephen S. Wise Temple announced their separation, effective July 2012. Although separate, Milken maintains a strong connection with the temple, continuing to educate many of its students. The school has always emphasized a strong Jewish identity. All students were once required to take four years of Hebrew, with 18 different levels offered. While that requirement has changed, Hebrew remains an option, and Jewish studies are still a core part of the curriculum. In a unique partnership with the Alexander Muss Institute for Israel Education, Milken offers the Tiferet Israel Fellowship. This program allows 10th graders to spend a semester learning and living in Israel. From academics to field trips and interactions with Israeli teens, the fellowship provides a profound connection to the land and people. The experience continues with two more years of programming, focusing on public speaking and advocating for Israel, culminating in a seminar at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem. Milken Community Schools is also known for its robust extracurricular activities. The MilkenKnights robotics team has achieved remarkable success, reaching finals in regional competitions and winning prestigious awards like the Dean’s List Finalist Award. The school has also consistently won the Pete Conrad Spirit of Innovation Award. Beyond academics, Milken Community Schools fosters a sense of belonging and encourages students to become engaged citizens of the world. From its beginnings as a small school in Van Nuys to its current prestigious location overlooking Los Angeles, Milken Community Schools continues to shape the future, one student at a time.