1961: Bialik is established by the Labour Zionist Movement at 12 Viewmount Avenue. Moshe Menachovsky z”l was the first principal. Julius Sokoloff z”l and Kalman Berger z”l were the first presidents of the board of directors. The founders of the school were dedicated to Hebrew and Yiddish language, as well as academic excellence. The school opened with 54 students and four staff members. Tuition for the year was approximately $400.
1962: Emmanuel Goldberg becomes principal.
1966: Ziona Hagler begins her amazing 49-year career as a Bialik teacher.
1967: Joseph Klinger becomes principal.
1968: A second Grade 1 class opens due to high demand for a Bialik education.
1973: Fire breaks out in the kitchen and causes $60,000 in damages. Arson is suspected. School is cancelled for only three days.
1974: David Gamliel becomes Bialik’s fourth principal.
1975: In the 14 years since the founding of the school, enrolment increased exponentially to 550 students and 52 staff.
1982: Major renovation to building completed. Six new classrooms were built, as well as a new principals office, an expanded administration office and science lab.
1984: School leaders break ground on new addition to the building. It houses new pre-school classrooms and gymnasium.
1985: Number of students enrolled tops 670 with 72 staff members.
1987: Dr. Uri Korin becomes principal
1995: 855 students enrolled at Bialik with 95 staff members.
1990s: Mechanech and Peacemakers programs established.
1999: Bialik acquires property at 2760 Bathurst Street in order to expand the school.
2003: Building expansion is completed and includes a new gymnasium/auditorium, lunchroom, classrooms and green space.
2005: 815 students attend Bialik supported by 109 staff members.
2006: Shana Harris becomes head of school.
2000s: Israel Interactive Centre established and Senior Division Houses are introduced.
2010: SMART Boards introduced in every classroom.
2013: The Ben and Edith Himel Education Centre on the Joseph and Wolf Lebovic Jewish Community Campus opens with 67 students and one class each in Junior Kindergarten, Senior Kindergarten and Grade 1.
2015: Phase 1B of the Himel Branch completed. Adds six new classrooms and a new gymnasium/auditorium. Viewmount Branch playground undergoes a $775,000 renovation. Adds new turf, basketball courts and the first Explorer Dome in the GTA.
2016: Himel Branch grows to two classes in each JK, SK, Grade 1, 2 and 3 and one class of Grade 4.
2016: Enrollment passes 1,000 students for the first time in Bialik’s history.
2017: Benjy Cohen becomes head of school.
2018: We enrol more than 1,200 students across both our branches.
2019: The Aronson Family STEM Learning Commons opens at the Viewmount Branch, heralding the implementation of the STEM approach to learning in General and Jewish Studies and modern Israel education.
2019: A new wing opens at our Himel Branch, including a beautiful new gym, additional classrooms, a STEM Lab and communal learning spaces.
