Schools in Israel: List of schools, eligibility criteria, fees and admission process

Introduction: Schools in Israel is now becoming a popular destination for parents who want world class education for their children. Officially known as the state of Israel, it is a country in western Asia located on the shores of Mediterranean Sea, the place is regarded by Jews, Muslims and Christians as the biblical Holy Land.

Israel takes pride in becoming one of the fastest growing economies in the world. With so many, technological advancement, flourishing agriculture and innumerable business startups has made Israel one of the strong economies.

The thriving economy has led Israel to develop some of the world class universities which provide quality higher education. The quality of education in Israel is much superior and standardized.

Medical education in Israel is different from around the world, with that been said, the education is different in the way degrees are offered. There is not degree in Israel called MBBS as generally what is offered in medical colleges around the globe. Generally, medical educations are given in Hebrew but there are international schools that provide teachings in English language as well.

List of Schools in Israel

District	City or Regional council	School
Northern District	Lower Galilee	Kadoorie Agricultural High School
Northern District	Lower Galilee	Mar Elias Educational Institutions
Haifa District	Haifa	Hebrew Reali School
Central District	Even Yehuda	Walworth Barbour American International School
	Herzliya	Handasaim Herzliya High School
	Ra’anana	Mor Metro-West High School
	Hod HaSharon	Mosenson Youth Village
	Kfar Saba	Zalman Shazar Junior High School
	Petah Tikva	Ben Gurion High School
	Rehovot	De Shalit High School
	Rishon LeZion	Gymnasia Realit
	Rishon LeZion	Haviv elementary school
Tel Aviv District	Holon	Collège-Lycée franco-israélien Raymond Leven
	Ramat HaSharon	Hakfar Hayarok
	Tel Aviv-Yafo	Collège des Frères de Jaffa
		Herzliya Hebrew High School
		Meron School
		Shevah Mofet
Jerusalem District	Jerusalem	Hebrew University Secondary School
		Gymnasia Rehavia
		Hartman High School
		Yashlatz
		The Jerusalem Studio School
		Pelech
		Ein Kerem Agricultural School
		Jerusalem American International School
Southern District	Sderot	Yeshivat Hesder of Sderot

Table of Contents

Schools in Israel Admission Process

The parents must request an application directly from the preschool, elementary school, Yeshiva Ketana, or Seminar (girls’ high school). Registration for the school only takes place once the student has been accepted to the school. Some schools are part of a network (Beit Yaakov, etc.). In these schools, the application process and registration are done through the central office of the school network.

First select a school for admission
Visit the school to initiate an enquiry or to start the registration process
Some schools may ask for an entrance exam before admission.
School authorities after selecting the child offer a selection letter.
Make sure to deposit the school fee to confirm your child admission.

Essential Documents Required for Admission in Schools in Israel

Preschool (Gan) and Elementary School

Required Documentation:

Mispar Zehut (identity number) of each child and the parents.
Passport numbers of the child and parents are accepted in lieu of the Mispar Zehut.
Proof of residence in the city needs to be provided via a copy of the Arnona (municipal tax) statement that includes the family’s name.

1. If the family is living in a rental, you will need to provide a rental contract which includes the parents’ names that is valid for one full year.
2. If a family is not in the country during the registration period, they can give power of attorney to an Israeli citizen, provided that each child and the parents have a Mispar Zehut and proof of residence.

Fees:

There is no registration fee; however there is a deposit which will be applied to the first month’s tuition.
Please contact your local Iriya or board of education to check if there are fees for Gan (for 3-5 year olds).
There is a 400-450 NIS annual fee for Gan Chova (kindergarten). A Horaat Keva (standing bank order) form from the bank must be submitted.
While Gan is free, there is an additional fee for Tzaharon (afternoon program). Payment for Tzaharon is made directly to the organization running the Tzaharon and the price is determined locally.
Tuition for elementary school ranges from 500 – 4000 NIS per year (depending on type of school)

Location:

In most cities, registration can be done online https://www.cityedu.co.il/v2/CityEdu.aspx?CustomerID=274000&PageID=26002&group=2) or in person.
First time registration (for Olim and new residents of the city) must be done in person at the local Machleket HaChinuch (Department of Education) in order to present necessary documentation.

Time Frame:

Registration information is sent out in the mail in December.
Registration takes place in January – February.
Note: registration does not ensure placement in a particular school. The placement letter, which is sent out in June/July, names the particular school where the child will be placed for the upcoming school year. Placement is dependent on your address and religious affiliation.
After the placement letter is received, the parents are allowed seven days to appeal the decision.
A family may submit a request to register their child in a gan or school that is not in their district in addition to registering their child to the district school

Junior High and High School

Required Documentation:

Mispar Zehut of each child and the parents.
Passport numbers of the child and parents are accepted in lieu of a Mispar Zehut.
Proof of residence in the city needs to be provided via a copy of the Arnona statement that includes the family’s name.
1. If the family is living in a rental, you will need to provide a rental contract which includes the parents’ names that is valid for one full year.
2. If a family is not in the country during the registration period, they can give power of attorney to an Israeli citizen, provided that each child and the parents have a Mispar Zehut and proof of residence.
Non-regional schools only require a Mispar Zehut (or passport number).

Fees:

75 NIS registration fee for the national entrance exam.
Tuition varies: 1500 – 15,000 NIS annual fees (tuition, dormitory, additional hours, transportation).

Location and Process:

Registration for regional schools is done through online registration. Many schools may also require an entrance exam and interview for admission to the school.
Note: The online registration is to notify the school that the student is interested in applying to the school. It does not confirm acceptance.

Time Frame:

Mamlachti-Dati (religious): process begins in December.
Mamlachti (non-religious): process begins in March.

Exam:

There is a standardized national exam for admission to non-regional (schools that are not restricted by a particular district) Ulpanot and Yeshiva dormitory high schools in cities throughout the country in December. The exam is composed of: Hebrew comprehension, math, general Torah knowledge and English.
1. Olim may ask to take the exam in English. The request must be made on the registration form.

1. Children who have diagnosed learning disabilities may receive leniencies on the exam provided that they bring a declaration from an educational psychologist

1. Exam results are sent to the schools which were selected by the student. The school will review the results and decide whether or not to invite the student for an interview.

Official Website: Israel Government Ministry of Education (MOE) official website

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