The High School for Sciences and Arts is a unique national school of its kind established by the Association for Excellence in Education with the aim of providing a response to outstanding students with high abilities in the fields of science, music and art.
Rafi Rosens, coordinator at the school. Served on the science website as a public service
"The High School for Sciences and Arts is a unique national school of its kind established by the Association for Excellence in Education with the aim of providing a response to outstanding students with high abilities in the fields of science, music and art. The school encourages its students for academic excellence alongside a deep moral and social commitment, out of faith
Because especially today it is possible and worthwhile to educate about values"
At the High School for Sciences and Arts in Jerusalem, they pride themselves on the principle of educating students for excellence and moral values.
The many guests who tour the school see extraordinary sights: students sit together and discuss, without shouting and without tension, various moral and value issues. Here it is allowed and even accepted to ask questions and feel comfortable with the fact that you are talented. In another corner they read all the daily newspapers and in the cozy library they work on writing a paper, a story or a play. The surprisingly quiet and the music playing from the training rooms completes the feeling that this is not a high school but a different institution - more pleasant and mature. It is indeed a school built for those who wish to study and deepen in a completely different atmosphere. Curious and outstanding teenagers who come from all over the country and from all sectors of Israeli society and want to learn more and more subjects. This is not a bunch of snobbish and arrogant geniuses, but teenagers who are ready to dedicate their free Friday afternoons to activities such as cleaning and preserving the nearby valley and invest half a day every week in volunteering and helping the community.
All this is happening at the high school for arts and sciences in Jerusalem, and no, it is not about a dream or a high school where studies are easy, on the contrary.
This school is intended for students with very high ability, who want and can invest many hours in extended studies, and not just study for matriculation exams. The principal of the school, Mr. Roni Erez, and the team of teachers and instructors see values education as a very important goal. In lessons and conversations, they encourage cheerfulness and constant curiosity, along with sensitivity to others and respect for every person. The composition of the students is also unique, one that cannot be found like it in Israel. Secular and religious youth, from the city and the countryside, veterans and new immigrants, Jews, Muslims, Christians and Druze.
The curriculum was developed by leading educators in Israel and the world in collaboration with active scientists, artists and musicians.
The teaching staff, recruited from among lecturers and researchers at universities and research institutions, was tasked with implementing the school's unique educational concept, also through group teaching and personal mentoring. The institution creates a kind of high-quality incubator with study groups of 3 to 15 students and classes of 20-25 students. The curriculum also emphasizes interdisciplinary courses, humanities and philosophy studies. The system of hours stretches until hours in the afternoon and includes laboratory hours, research, training and practice as well as elective courses and classes. The flexibility of the system allows providing good solutions for talented students. Here there is no need to give up studying music at a good level just because the student is also interested in jurisprudence. For those who wish to combine science and music studies, for example, a personal schedule will be put together to suit their skills. The young mathematicians have a special outstanding program called - "track". The program makes it possible to reach a high level of university studies after completing the extended matriculation exam in the field. Last year, a graduate of the "track" of the high school for sciences and arts, student Igor Kremerman from Rash Pina, won fourth place in the world (in the field of mathematics) in the international competition for young scientists organized by the Intel company and held in California.
Excellence, according to Roni Erez, the school's director, "is the combination of talent, curiosity and willingness to work hard, and all three are found in every segment of Israeli society. Hence, the school tries to open opportunities for excellence in an equal way in every sector and social class. Creativity is seen at the school as the heart of excellence. In order to develop creativity, self-learning, open and free should also be allowed if possible. This type of learning takes more time. Therefore it is necessary to focus, but over-focusing may create ignorance. That's why the school tries to combine focused excellence and in-depth learning with a broad general education." A combination of talented students from different fields promotes this broad education.
The boarding school is an integral part of the school experience. Living is a big part of the fun in the place. In this framework the students learn to know others and respect them, learn to be independent and responsible and most importantly learn what tolerance is.
All students, including the Jerusalemites, benefit from the successful combination of studying and living together. The large campus is surrounded by lawns and gardens and is well equipped with various facilities: a library, laboratories, workshops for painting, sculpture and photography, a large and modern sports hall, a sophisticated gym, running and athletic fields and a synagogue. Each room in the residence has a shower, toilet and kitchenette. The school is fenced and well guarded by a security unit 24 hours a day throughout the year.
The nomination process is open to all 210th grade students from all over the country. The candidates are talented students who did not receive a real and comprehensive answer to their needs in the regular school. If the students had stayed in the regular framework, they would have had to look for additional classes and studies in other frameworks, but here, as mentioned, they will be given an appropriate and comprehensive answer. Although it is a small school (about XNUMX students), information about it is blocked in most middle schools, and as a result, teenagers who may be suitable candidates miss the opportunity to attend it. It is important to emphasize that the application to the school does not involve a fee and does not limit the applicants who can register at the same time to other schools as well. Registration is not conditional on presenting certificates. The application process consists of three stages: the test that examines learning skills, a personal interview according to the course of study for which the student is enrolled and a three-day workshop during the Passover holiday. Only at the end of the workshop, after the candidates experience the unique learning experience at the school and experience living in a boarding school, do they have to decide if they will enroll in the school.
The tuition fee includes all components of the stay at the school. A full curriculum, which also includes courses and permission classes, classes, trips and tours (about 10 days of travel per year), parties, tutoring and reinforcement, accommodation and full economy (7 meals a day!) and more. The cost of tuition is determined personally according to the financial situation of the family and adjusted through study scholarships that are given to almost every applicant. Scholarships range from 10% to 90% of the full tuition fee.
All students graduate from school with a full and very good matriculation certificate. Many students even write a serious thesis that earns them additional study units for matriculation. Together with this certificate, they leave with excellent experience and tools for a quick and successful integration into life and studies. High school graduates are recruited into elite units in the IDF and units with a high level of science and technology. Most of them continue their academic education at the Hebrew University, the Technion and other universities.
The High School for Sciences and Arts belonging to the Association for Excellence in Education was established as a national project in cooperation with the Ministry of Education. It is a follow-up program for nurturing the gifted. The Association for Excellence in Education operates the Excellence 2000 program in over 130 schools and LGBT schools across the country. The program focuses on promoting outstanding students in the areas of mathematical thinking and science and currently has over 7000 students.
And finally, advice for parents. If your child is talented and wants to go to a science and arts high school in Jerusalem, don't be offended. On the contrary, give yourself and your child credit. You invested in education in a warm and loving home and raised outstanding and curious children. Now that they are growing up, they need another and different social-academic experience.
Life in a boarding school and studying in high school is no substitute for being at home with parents and friends. Gifted children may experience great frustration when the school environment they belong to oppresses them. Your relationship as parents with your children will only get stronger if he feels that he is reaching his potential and is in a challenging environment that suits him.
The school has an enlightening website that contains all the necessary information including application forms.
www.iasa.jlm.k12.il
For advice and additional information, you can call the "open line" every day until 23:00 PM at tel. 02-6755181.
To register for the open days and exams, it is recommended to call the secretariat at tel. 02-6755111.
