This guide was written prior to the 2026 conflict between the US, Israel and Iran and related hostilities. Non-essential travel to Israel is not advisable due to the risks related to military action in the broader Middle East area. Please consult official government travel advisories and exercise extreme caution before considering travel to the region.
Education and schools in Israel are officially designed to promote democratic values and coexistence. In practice, there are separate tracks based on religious and ethnic identity (State-Secular, State-Religious, and Arab State schools). This structural division often limits meaningful interaction between Jewish and Arab students during their formative years. The core curriculum varies across these tracks; for example, Jewish State schools emphasise Jewish values and history, while Arabic-speaking schools follow a separate state-mandated curriculum.
School culture in Israel is generally more informal than in America and the UK, and teachers and principals are addressed by their first names. The curriculum tends to be broader than that found in North American schools and emphasises mathematics, science, and foreign language learning.
Kindergarten and elementary schools follow a progressive model, valuing experience and social exchange, as well as creativity, play, and emotional development.
While Hebrew is the primary language of instruction in institutions of higher education, many programmes and courses are also offered in English. There are also schools where Arabic is the primary language of instruction.
The academic year in Israel runs from September to June. The Israeli school week runs from Sunday to Friday, with Friday being a shorter day, but schools don’t operate on Saturdays (Shabbat).
Public education in Israel
There is free and compulsory public education in Israel for all children from the age of three to 17. While tuition is free, textbooks, school supplies, and extracurricular activities generally require fees. Although the public education system is robust in many areas, there are significant disparities in resources and academic outcomes between different demographic groups. Many expats don’t enrol their children in public schools, as the language of instruction is Hebrew or Arabic.
Private education in Israel
Private schools in Israel follow the basic curriculum as set by the state, but they follow different teaching standards and philosophies. As such, there are some English-language private schools in Israel, which might be an attractive option for expat children who aren’t fluent in Arabic or Hebrew.
Private schools can be costly for those earning a local salary, but the quality of education tends to be better than that of a public school. Those earning expat salaries will find that private education in Israel is considerably less expensive than in many countries.
Private schools can be highly competitive, and many require rigorous testing before admitting a student. Applications usually require proof of academic record and any extracurricular activities. Students typically undergo verbal reasoning and English proficiency tests, a maths test, and, in some cases, a science test. The head teacher may also interview prospective students.
Useful links
International schools in Israel
There are also a number of international schools in Israel that expat parents can send their children to. The benefit of international schools is that they provide a high-quality education while also allowing academic continuity, as many expat students can continue their home-country curriculum. International schools in Israel also offer an extremely diverse cultural setting, as expat children will be classmates with students from all over the world.
A drawback of international schools is their school fees, which are considerably higher than those of both public and private Israeli schools. Most international schools in Israel are in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, and provide curricula including the American, British (Cambridge IGCSE and A-Levels), French, and International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes.
International Schools in Israel
Colleges and universities in Israel
Israel has a total of 11 universities, most of which are based in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa. Courses are generally taught in Hebrew, but some English courses are offered, and accelerated Hebrew language-learning programmes are available for international students who want to study in Israel.
Foreign applicants who wish to study in Israel must submit their high school diplomas to the institute to which they are applying. The strength of the diploma will then be weighed against the Israeli bagrut, the matriculation examination used in the university admissions process.
By law, the minimum length of study for a bachelor’s degree is three years. Several professional disciplines require longer study: engineering takes four years, architecture five years, and medicine can take around six years or more. Nursing degrees are also generally four years in length.
Useful links
Special educational needs in Israel
There’s a law of inclusion in place for children with special educational needs in Israel. Parents can choose whether their children attend mainstream schools where they will be included in regular classes, a special education class in a mainstream school, or a special needs school. Some schools also have a system in which children spend part of their school day in regular classes and part in special education classes. The aim is to reduce the number of students in special education classes to promote inclusion.
While schools are expected to have all the facilities and professionals available to assist all children with their educational needs, budget shortfalls have prohibited this in some cases. Parents should therefore research what their chosen schools can accommodate before deciding between mainstream and special-needs schools.
Useful links
- Israel Ministry of Education: Special Education Department
- Nefesh B’Nefesh: Special Education Resources
Tutors in Israel
There’s a rather large industry of tutors in Israel, with many parents hiring private tutors for their children. These tutors can be useful in helping expat children adapt to their new curriculum and school environment, assisting them with learning Hebrew or Arabic, as well as with school support in any subjects the child may be struggling with.
Online tutors and in-person private tutors are available throughout Israel. Expat parents can look for a tutor on one of the many tutoring websites, such as Janglo or Tutoroo, or they can ask their child’s school or fellow parents for recommendations.