The school opened at the Anshe Emes Synagogue on Linden Avenue in 1942. Growth continued unabated and by 1944, Bais Yaakov had moved to Congregation Zichron Avraham Nachman on Brookfi eld Avenue and then to still larger quarters at the Shearith Israel Synagogue at Park Heights and Glen Avenues. With steadily increasing enrollment, the school soon outgrew these facilities and in 1945 acquired its own home on lower Park Heights Avenue.

In 1948, as a result of growing popular acceptance in the community, the school authorities realized the necessity to acquire a 38-acre campus on Greenspring Avenue. In addition to the mansion building on this former estate, a large garage, greenhouse, and barn were all converted into additional classrooms as enrollment continued to swell. After a fi re gutted the main building in 1955, plans for a modern new elementary school building became a necessity. The new elementary school building on this campus was dedicated the following year. The main building was fully restored and housed Bais Yaakov’s new High School which began in 1956.

The High School graduated its fi rst class in 1959. Eighteen years had elapsed, and now Bais Yaakov was a comprehensive educational facility, enjoying a fi ne reputation as a college preparatory institution. A steady stream of students from out-of-town communities also sought Bais Yaakov’s education, and throughout all the years Bais Yaakov has had in its high school students hailing from across the United States, Central America and Canada. In addition to its program on the main campus at Greenspring Avenue, Bais Yaakov at various times conducted a full pre-school program at the Randallstown Synagogue Center, The Suburban Orthodox Synagogue, The Woodmor Hebrew Congregation, and the Beth Jacob Congregation.

CURRENT SITE

In 1976, the current site in Owings Mills was acquired. On this new 48-acre campus, a multiple building complex, housing the pre-school, elementary, and junior and senior high school, was erected. By 1980, due to burgeoning enrollment, an expansion program planning the addition of six classrooms to the existing facility had to be launched. The expansion was speedily completed to provide more room for the school’s growing student body. Further expansion occurred in 1984 with the building of a two-story wing that included thirteen additional classrooms. In September 1994, crowded conditions at the Park Heights campus led to the establishment of the middle school at a leased site on Smith Avenue. This property was subsequently purchased in the summer of 2000. Two years later a complete renovation was done to this existing middle school building together with the construction of a 12,000 square foot modern addition. After years of planning, the high school moved into a new magnifi cent 87,000 square foot building located at the Smith Avenue campus. The entire Owings Mills facility is now being used by the preschool and elementary school. This site, located in a beautiful rural setting, is easily accessible to both county and city residents. It includes an auditorium, a gymnasium, several multi-purpose rooms, a library, and two computer science labs. Outdoor facilities include four playgrounds, basketball and volleyball courts, a baseball fi eld, and an Olympic size swimming pool.