-
Site Search
-
Search Local Business Listings
Charles
and Helene Debelak met at Valparaiso University, where both studied to
be teachers, and then earned their master's degrees at Cleveland State
University. At Birchwood, he's the head of school and she's the
curriculum director. Twenty-five years ago, Charles and Helene Debelak did what a lot of other teachers talk about doing . . . someday. They started their own school.
The original 20 students were taught in a small church building on Birchwood Avenue, in Cleveland's West Park neighborhood. Most of their parents attended the nondenominational church and were looking for an alternative to public and religious schools.
Today, Birchwood School isn't that much bigger, with 120 students in grades 1-8, but it has earned a reputation as the best little private school you've probably never heard of.
"It's been exciting to see our mission play out," said Helene, who cited small class sizes, challenging goals and an emphasis on character as some of the attributes that set the school apart.
Occupying part of the former Ascension School building on West 140th Street, Birchwood draws about half its students from Cleveland -- often the children of police, firefighters or other city employees. The other half are from suburbs as far away as Shaker Heights, Brecksville and Avon Lake.
Close to 60 percent are the children of foreign-born parents, many of them professionals from Middle Eastern and Asian countries who heard about the school from friends or colleagues.
Fourth-graders,
from left, Prathna Kumar, Darius Zinolabedini, Michael Manimbo and Adam
Issa launch "rockets" through straws in a science class at Birchwood
School on Cleveland's West Side. Part of the attraction is a blending of Eastern and Western approaches to education, Charles said. Eastern traditions contribute a strong emphasis on fundamentals, while the West favors critical thinking and creativity, he said.
Another part of the attraction: the high scores posted by students on assessments like the Iowa Test of Basic Skills, and the fact that many graduates continue at prestigious schools like Hawken and Hathaway Brown.
"They do a fabulous job with the kids," said Karin O'Neil, executive director of the Ohio Association of Independent Schools. Birchwood is one of the association's 40 members.
"I know other competitive schools in the area are happy to get applications from Birchwood students," she said.
Birchwood students start out with higher than expected Iowa test scores in first grade. By seventh grade, they test at the level of college freshmen, according to the school.
Many are classified as gifted and explore subjects in more depth or at a quicker pace than their classmates. That may mean starting first grade at a young age, skipping a grade or studying a given subject two to four years beyond their grade level.
Zaeem
Mustafa, a seventh-grader at Birchwood School, plays President John F.
Kennedy as Miguel Poblete, off camera, makes a point about the Cuban
missile crisis. They were rehearsing for the recent History Day
competition at Case Western Reserve University.
Extra-credit facts about Birchwood School
• Tuition for the private school is $7,400 a year but will rise to more than $8,000 next year.
• Classes generally have a maximum of 18 students.
• Each day starts with a morning inspiration, as teachers read stories about great men and women whose lives show admirable character.
• A brief character class at the end of the day shows students how to apply goal-setting, hard work, self-discipline and responsibility to their studies.
• All students take Spanish, and those at the middle-school level can take Latin through Northwestern University.
• All students participate in the annual National History Day competition at Case Western Reserve University. (Helene Debelak was one of four elementary teachers who helped develop national history standards.)
• The school's first major fund-raiser will be a 25th anniversary gala on May 30, with the money going toward scholarships.
Carmen Diabof Westlake said Birchwood was the answer to her prayers when she and her husband, Isam, sought an elementary school for their older son Kenan.
The boy showed signs of being exceptional from the age of 2 and they knew he would need the right fit to be challenged, she said.
"When children are very gifted, sometimes they get bored and tune out," Diab said. "Mr. Debelak taught him what to do when that happens. Kenan is so quick in math, but they knew how to make it interesting and hard for him and make him think."
After Birchwood, Kenan went on to Hawken School and won a silver medal in the International Physics Olympiad. Now, he's a sophomore at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
When she asked Kenan to rate his preparation at Birchwood from 1 to 10, he replied it was 11, his mother said.
Younger son Omar also went to Birchwood and now is a junior at Hawken, making his mark as a regional finalist in this year's high school debate championship.
Like most Birchwood parents, the Diabs found out about the school by word of mouth.
But people like board member Brian Newbacher are putting more emphasis on marketing with, for example, testimonials from parents like Ray Pianka, a housing court judge, and Jim Henke of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.
"We've always been a mom-and-pop operation. Then about five years ago, we came to the realization that someday we'll die," Charles said with a laugh. "We want the school to continue on, so we're in transition to a more formal nonprofit status with a board taking on fiduciary responsibilities."
There are also plans to add a kindergarten class and expand to take over the entire Ascension building. But Charles said the enrollment won't get much larger.
"And we are committed to staying in the city of Cleveland."
| Send To A Friend 
| Permalink (Learn More)I've always heard good things about this school. Great to hear they're continuing to do well.
I like the last sentence in the article too!
Hmmm. I grew up on Birchwood in West Park. There was never a school building on that street when I lived there. As a matter of fact, the last time I was in town, there wasn't one there then. And the idiot with the union comment............forget it. You ruin schools with unions. Just look at public schools. Overpaid, lazy (not all, but enough) teachers that don't do what they should. There is no reason it should cost $8000 to teach a kid in the public schools system. Get vouchers and send your kids to private schools if you want them to get a good education. Cleveland public schools are not what they used to be.
Ooops, looks like "poor-somebody's" comment got deleted. It was very negative and surely had that 'poor me...' attitude.
Great for this school. It sounds like a great place to send you kids. But to say that the schools in Cleveland are the way they are is because of the union is rediculous. Those teachers work harder every day than any other teacher in any other district. The make good money but are in now way over paid, give me a break. And you say that it shouldn't cost $8000 per student to educate them. I agree, but what does that have to do with the union? Oh yeah, you also say that the CMSD isn't what it used to be. On that account you are correct. But, I ask you, what has changed? They had a union "back when" so I guess it's not the union's fault now, right? What has changed is the kids. They are not being raised to respect adults or education, period. And this goes for almost every district. It is easy to teach in a school like Birchwood.........small classes and parents who actually care. If we could force parents who have kids in the cmsd to care and actually punish bad behavior there, the city's schools would be "back to normal" as well.
Both of my children had the privilege of being educated by the Debelaks and the dedicated and loving teachers and staff at Birchwood School. I can not say enough, nor can my children, about their experience and how well prepared they were to attend their respective private high schools and colleges. There is not enough space for us to verbally extol all that Birchwood School did for our children, their self-confidence and self-esteem, and their development. Our only regret was that there was not a Birchwood High School to which they could matriculate!
My 27-year old son attended Birchwood for two years and it was a fantastic experience for him. Birchwood has first-rate educators who "get it" when dealing with very bright kids. My son is now a nuclear engineer serving in the Navy. Birchwood nutured his love of math and science and combined that with terrific critical thinking skills. We are grateful!!
Sarcastic comment. Humor. Sorry. Y'all are a tad touchy.
I am a big fan of this school and Ginn. This is what education should be.
How come a great article about a wonderful school educating children in a successful manor has to deteriorate into a bashing of Cleveland schools and unions? I don't get it.
My son attends Birchwood. I cannot say enough about the school and the quality of education and the nurturing staff. We were lucky to become aware of Birchwood through the word-of mouth system. I hope more people take the time to check out the school and spread the word!
I attended this school from 2 years back in the mid/late eighties. My nieces attend now. I have known the Debelak's right about 20 years now. I cannot say enough good things about this school and this family. Chuck and Helene are the best, most dedicated teachers I have ever had the honor of meeting, besides my mother. They believed in me, motivated me, and pushed me. They taught me how to be a student. They taught me how to learn. I love them dearly.
I
attended Birchwood for 7 years then went on to my local high school
(Westlake High), then Tri-C, then Cleveland State for my undergraduate
and graduate studies.
I am not a gifted student. But each time I mention that I attended
Birchwood, if anyone recognizes the name, they say, "oh, that's the
gifted school."
I wish the article had mentioned that Birchwood uses gifted teaching
methods for all students. Their teaching methods benefit those gifted
and non-gifted. I learned in Birchwood to make the best of the
abilities that I have. I currently have a successful career in the
graphic arts industry and sit on the boards of two local non-profit
agencies.
