History

Over three decades ago, a group of families on the Peninsula gathered around a common vision — a school that would offer an excellent secular curriculum integrated with vibrant, modern Jewish Studies. They envisioned a vital institution in their community that would unite local families; a place of learning that would graduate confident, well-rounded children, with love and pride of their heritage and life-long thirst for knowledge. The families united to create the first Jewish Day School located between San Francisco and San Jose. The school, originally called the North Peninsula Jewish Community Day School and later renamed the Jewish Day School of the North Peninsula, opened its doors to 21 Kindergarten through 2nd Grade students in the fall of 1986.

In 2004, the school was renamed the Ronald C. Wornick Jewish Day School and moved into its current building on the beautiful North Peninsula Jewish Campus in Foster City. The first middle school class graduated in 2005.

We celebrated our 30th birthday in 2016-17, and the Wornick Jewish Day School continues to flourish and grow, successfully maintaining the founders' original vision.

Ronald C. Wornick — a true Jewish Role Model

Wornick Jewish Day School is proudly named for one of the Peninsula's most prominent community leaders, Ronald C. Wornick (1932-2021).

Mr. Wornick was co-chair of the North Peninsula Jewish Campus major gifts campaign, and instrumental in forming the concept of a community Jewish Campus in Foster City. Mr. Wornick served on the national board of the Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, CLAL, and Jewish Education Services of North America. Locally, he served on the boards of the Bureau of Jewish Education, Stanford University's Jewish Studies Department, Jewish Vocational Guidance, the Jewish Home, the Jewish Museum of San Francisco, COPIA, California College of the Arts, Koret Israel Economic Development Fund and as an officer and director of the Jewish Community Federation.

Mr. Wornick was the recipient of the prestigious Ner Tamid Award for Jewish community service. 

For 25 years, Mr. Wornick served as chairman, president and founder of the Wornick Company, a food processing conglomerate specializing in serving the U.S. Defense Department, the State Department, the U.N. and other international Agencies, and the U.S. Space program. Prior to founding the Wornick Company, Mr. Wornick held a number of management positions at Clorox Company and United Fruit Company. A native of Malden, Massachusetts, Mr. Wornick earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Tufts University and a Masters of Science at MIT.

A gifted wood artist himself, Mr. Wornick was also a world-renowned collector of wood art, along with his wife Anita. They are a tremendous inspiration to our community and have been frequent and beloved visitors on campus. Mr. Wornick epitomized the spirit of the school — someone who continuously learned, an innovator in his field, a scientist and an entrepreneur, a patron of the arts and a philanthropist who understood and lived the value of strengthening his community.

The generosity of the Wornick family continues and their son Michael is actively involved in the Wornick community. Michael Wornick has served on the Wornick board, generously given to the school, and led the Sustain the Spirit fundraising campaign for Wornick Jewish Day School. Mr. Wornick's grandson Harry Wornick is currently serving on the Wornick board.