History and Milestones
HISTORY In 1953, Nassau County was virtually devoid of Jewish education — the lifeblood of our Jewish existence. Through the dedicated efforts of Rabbi Meyer and Goldie Fendel and a small group of individuals, the vision to establish a Hebrew day school on Long Island was conceived. These HANC “founders” — individuals with a strong desire to build an educational institution — came together in unity to offer their expertise, their skills, their funds, and their unconditional love to build the Hebrew Academy of Nassau County.

With an initial enrollment of just thirty students, in a small building, the seeds were planted. Indeed, these seeds have blossomed during HANC’s illustrious fifty year history, through the assistance and guidance of a united, caring community. Today, HANC’s four campuses, located in Plainview, West Hempstead and Uniondale, serve more than twelve hundred students, from nursery through high school, who come from fifty communities throughout Long Island and Queens.

The Hebrew Academy of Nassau County is a co-educational, orthodox, yeshiva day school that has become a renowned institution — providing students from a variety of backgrounds and degrees of observance with the opportunity to reach their highest potential, in accordance to their level of understanding and ability.

That HANC continues to be a vital part of the lives of thousands of students and their families is because HANC’s mission has remained true to maintaining an educational program of the highest caliber in both Judaic and general studies — one that produces educated, knowledgeable and upright Jewish young men and women, loyal to the ideals of Torah and the spirit of American democracy. Equally important, and a major component of the education that our students receive, is respect and concern for all human beings, humility, the giving of charity, and the importance of acts of kindness. These are all major factors in the educational, moral, and spiritual development that is imbued in each very special HANC student.

MILESTONES
  • 1953 – HANC is founded with over 30 students in Old Oppenheim Collins Mansion in West Hempstead.
  • 1956 – Groundbreaking of first wing and first new building: 100 students in our West Hempstead school.
  • 1960 – Old Mansion demolished and dedication of new wing.
  • 1962 – HANC acquires Mid-Island School and becomes a county-wide school: 500 students attending. First graduating class of 28 students.
  • 1965 – Historic Land Grant awards Mitchel Field to HANC.
  • 1966 – Groundbreaking for Moses Horenstein Junior High School.
  • 1971 – New Opportunities Program for Jr. High and for Senior High School.
  • 1972 – Groundbreaking for Brookdale High School.
  • 1973 – HANC-Hofstra Program.
  • 1974 – HANC’s first High School Graduation of 18 students.
  • 1978 – Bass-Golding addition to West Hempstead School opens.
  • 1981 – Mid-Island relocates in Plainview.
  • 1982 – Extensive school wide computer program instituted.
  • 1983 – Heritage Endowment Fund established.
  • 1985 – Rabbi Fendel makes Aliyah. Rabbi Gottesman is named Dean.
  • 1986 – HANC installs unique playgrounds at West Hempstead School.
  • 1987 – Establishment of our Extended Resource Room in West Hempstead. Plainview School enrollment surpasses 200 students.
  • 1988 – Expansion of West Hempstead Elementary School.
  • 1989 – Establishment of our Extended Resource Room at Mitchel Field.
  • 1990 – Establishment of the Art Computer Room.
  • 1991 – Establishment of a full 4 year program at Mitchel Field.
  • 1992 – 8 Million Dollar Campaign launched.
  • 1993 – Samuel & Elizabeth Bass Golding Early Childhood Center at West Hempstead.
  • 1994 – Permanent home for the Plainview School. State of the Art Mayrock Fortunoff Computer Laboratory at Mitchel Field.
  • 1995 – Joshua Waitman Early Childhood Center established at Plainview. Science laboratories refurbished at Mitchel Field.
  • 1996 – Toddler program expansion at Samuel & Elizabeth Bass Golding Early Childhood Center. Mitchel Field Expansion Campaign announced.
  • 1997 – Harold Daitch Hall completed.
  • 1998 – Nathan Liebman Memorial Library opens at Mitchel Field. New computer labs in West Hempstead and Plainview Elementary Schools.
  • 2000 – Process for Middle States Accreditation initiated.
  • 2001 – Accredited by Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
  • 2002 – HANC announces the development of its Middle School and establishes the Moses Hornstein Educational Center.
  • 2003 – HANC celebrates its Jubilee Anniversary.
  • 2004 – Middle States Commendations received.
  • 2005 – Middle School/High School Graphics Lab established.
  • 2005 – Implementation of Gruss sponsored E2K Science & Math Enrichment Program for grade six and seven.
  • 2006 – Middle School Science Lab opens.
  • 2006 – Installation at the Samuel & Elizabeth Bass Golding Elementary School of the technologically innovative Challenger Science Lab in conjunction with the Gruss Foundation.
  • 2007 – Smart Boards installed at West Hempstead, Plainview and Mitchel Field campuses.
  • 2008 – Gruss sponsored E2K Science Math Pilot Program introduced at Brookdale High School.
  • 2009 – Renovation of West Hempstead Elementary and Mitchel Field campuses. Mezuzah Rededication Project at HANC 609.
  • 2010 – Dedication of the Rabbi Moshe Gottesman Beit Medrash in memory of Harry and Marjorie Mayrock and the Melly and Rochelle Lifshitz Beit Medrash Program at the High School
  • 2011 – Renovation of the West Hempstead Elementary School play area and installation of the new basketball court. Introduction of new two-year Engineering Studies Program at HANC High School.
  • 2012 – Re-accredited by Middle Staes Association of Colleges and Schools
  • 2013 – Nathan & Doris Liebman Library at Mitchel Field Campus accredited by the Association of Jewish Libraries.