Background information
The Elite Academy offers students who have successfully completed the ninth grade, the opportunity to complete their High School education in Israel. The program is run by the State of Israel, under the auspices of The Ministry of Education and The Jewish Agency for Israel’s Department of Immigration and Absorption. 

In order to coordinate this venture, a special professional framework was established: The Elite Academy Directorate. These three bodies are responsible for locating and selecting the candidates and assisting them and their families throughout the program.

About the schools
Elite Academy students study at local schools, boarding schools or kibbutz regional schools that have been carefully chosen and specifically prepared for the purpose of running the Elite Academy Program.  Following an in-depth explanation of the different streams of study available, participants together with their parents, choose their preference between State or State Religious education prior to their arrival.  During the first few months in Israel, a major emphasis is put on teaching Hebrew while the regular academic subjects are taught in the mother tongue.  At a later stage, the language of instruction changes to Hebrew.

Each Elite Academy class has an educational team working with it, consisting of the class teacher, housemother and social instructor, of which at least one of the three is fluent in English. In addition, another professional team is available for both social and moral support. The majority of the matriculation studies are a joint educational program together with Israeli youth with utmost consideration given to the level and background of each group.

Level of study
Special emphasis is placed on tailoring the educational program to the needs of each participant, taking into account her/his personal ability, interests and wishes with a view to allowing each student to fully reach her/his potential. A special curriculum is devised for students who have exemplary talent in mathematics, physics and computers.

Enrichment activities
Throughout the program, students take part in field trips, extracurricular activities and seminars, together with their Israeli peers.

Host families
Israeli host families are arranged for each participant who is interested.  Israeli host families offer Shabbat hospitality, a “home away from home” during school holidays and a warm and caring environment to cater to the needs of the student. This is done in conjunction with the Olim Organizations, and whenever possible, the families are veteran immigrants from English- speaking countries.

Holidays
Every 2-3 weeks students have a weekend in order to visit family, or to spend time with their host family, relatives or friends.  Organized activities are provided during the school holidays. During the Israeli summer holidays (July & August), students may use the time to visit their families overseas.

Medical insurance
Each student is fully insured including medical and dental treatment, for the entire duration of the program.

Rights and obligations of each student
Students receive pocket money, full board, travel money and a budget for maintaining telephone contact with their parents’ abroad. In return, students are required to take their studies seriously and fully utilize the time available to achieve the educational objectives of the program. Students are also expected to abide by the rules of the Elite Academy.

Visits from parents
The Elite Academy welcomes the visits of parents to Israel. It is advised that these visits take place only during the school holidays, in order not to disrupt the study program. Parental visits during other times must be coordinated with the management of the program and the school.

Continuation of studies in Israel
Upon completion of their school studies, Elite Academy students can choose to further matriculate into society and remain in Israel.   They can also choose to study further in institutions of higher education.  They are offered guidance and assistance by the various authorities, irrespective of whether or not they would like to continue studying.

Who can apply?
The Elite Academy program is intended for students who have successfully completed nine to ten years of schooling and wish to continue their high school education in Israel.  The course of study for participants in the Elite Academy consists of the last three years of high school, “yud, yud aleph, yud bet” (years 10,11 and 12 of studies) with the objective of completing the Israeli matriculation - a High School diploma recognized by most countries in the world.  (Students who have completed 10th grade can apply to the program for 11th and 12th grades if they speak fluent Hebrew.)

The importance of having an Israeli Matriculation (Bagrut) is that it enables students to be accepted to a wide spectrum of universities and academic colleges, both in Israel and around the world. If you are studying in your ninth or tenth year of school, you are a candidate for the Elite Academy. Acceptance to the program is based on passing an interviewing procedure and a written exam. Academic background and emotional maturity are among the criteria for acceptance. Participants retain their citizenship in the country of origin, and do not become Israeli citizens.

Be sure to visit the website of Na'ale, our "parent program," at http://www.naale.org.il/  (Click the English option in upper right hand corner).

How to Apply:
To begin the application process, all applicants must contact the Global Center.

Last updated: Wednesday, August 29, 2007