Established in 1968, The Leo Baeck High School, under the direction of Dafna Yakobovitch, is one of Israel’s premier academic institutions. At its core, the High School focuses on academic excellence, an appreciation for Arts & Culture and a love of Israel. All students are also encouraged to make a personal contribution to the well-being of civil society and extensive community service is part of the curriculum.
The school’s 150 full and part-time teachers educate 1,300 students from grades 10 through 12. Our high school students come from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds, and include many new immigrants as well as members of the Druze, Christian and Muslim communities.
In addition to the core curriculum which provides outstanding preparation for Israel’s matriculation exams, which are similar to the New York State Regents’ Exams and ETS Advanced Placement (AP) tests, the High School offers the following special programs for its students:
Gifted Students – The Leo Baeck High School hosts the City of Haifa’s gifted student program. The program utilizes the official curriculum of the Ministry of Education for gifted students. In addition, students in the gifted program who excel in mathematics have the option of participating in an additional mathematics enrichment course developed by Columbia University.
Scientific & Technological Leadership – This 6-year national program commences in our Middle School and was designed by the Ministry of Education. This program is aimed at developing the State of Israel’s human capital through the expansion of science and technology studies to students who excel in the sciences. The program broadens and deepens students’ knowledge of mathematics, physics, computer science and the general sciences, and includes visits to Israel’s prominent research and technology institutions.
Excellence in Mathematics – A component of the Scientific & Technological Leadership Program, Excellence in Mathematics provides accelerated enrichment classes designed to further develop mathematical thinking skills. This program was developed by the Israel Center for Excellence in Education (“Excellence 2000”).
Mathematics Support – This program is intended for students who have difficulty in mathematics and aims to support them to the greatest degree possible. The curriculum was designed by the Ministry of Education and teaching materials are developed by the Mathematics Education Unit of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Special Needs Program – The Leo Baeck Center is the only institution in the north of Israel that integrates Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) students into its mainstream education system. In addition, our special needs program works with students in the High School who require additional educational services and support.
98% of Leo Baeck graduates complete their matriculation exams and approximately 85% enroll in their university studies immediately following their army service. Leo Baeck High School graduates hold positions of leadership in the Knesset, the Israeli defense Forces, in various industries, the public sector, education and the arts.
Although the Leo Baeck High School is a semi-private institution, no student with potential is ever denied a Leo Baeck education. In spite of ever-present budget constraints, 80 of Leo Baeck’s 1,300 High School students receive full or partial scholarships, all thanks to the generosity of our overseas supporters.