With each new school year, there are new educational opportunities in Israel for kids who don't fit into normative educational environments. These programs address the educational, emotional, social, and physical special needs of our kids.

This alternative schools database includes primarily programs that cater to the English speaking population. There are many other programs available throughout the country that you may still want to research, but these selected schools fill a particular niche for students from English speaking families.

How To Search for an Alternative School

You will be able to search these alternative school programs by utilizing three search fields:

Geographic location: Once you have identified your location of choice, you can globally search all the schools in that area. This will give you a bird's eye view of all the options that are available.

Child's Gender: boys, girls, co-ed, coed separate (this will have a note to tell you at what grade they separate, if they are in the same building, but different floors, or same campus two separate buildings)

Specialty of the school you will be able to choose from the following options:

Olim specific:these schools address the unique language and social needs of recent olim.
Youth at risk: some of these are day programs, others have a dorm requirement. All are designed to deal with children who come from English speaking homes.
Special education: these schools are equipped to deal with children with varying levels of educational and developmental challenges. Researching the va'adat hasama (placement committee) requirements necessary for special needs placement is crucial. Your child can not be assigned without the committee's recommendations.
Some of the schools listed are recognized by the Ministry of Education, others are not. This is a fundamental question to ask and to understand its ramifications, at the interview (for other questions to ask at an interview click here.)

It is highly recommended that at least one parent (and the student, where possible) visit the school to physically see the site, and participate in a face to face interview. Networking with other parents offers a perspective from an insider's view - ask the school's representative for names of families that you can speak with.

Always remember that our staff is here to assist you with advice, or as a sounding board throughout the process.

If you have questions or comments about this alternative school information please email Schools@nbn.org.il