The first classrooms were simple and functional allowing one teacher to control serveral classes at a time, a necessity due to the shortage of teachers. The school started with the 280 children whom Asfaw previously taught in the churchyard but soon the classes were filled to overflowing and Asfaw was forced to expand the school to take 600 children. The cost of additional classrooms and a small building for the orphans was met by proceeds from plays that Asfaw and his children put on and from various donations.

In 1965 the number of pupils reached 1,000 and the school was given official recognition by the Ethiopian Ministry of Education.