NOF HAGALIL, ISRAEL | Approximately 2.6 million Israeli students began the 2026-2027 school year on Sept. 1 as classrooms opened at roughly 28,000 educational institutions across the country.
The national total includes approximately 180,000 children beginning Grade 1 and 143,000 Grade 12 students entering their final year in the education system, according to figures attributed to Israel’s Ministry of Education.
Approximately 260,000 teachers and other educational staff also began the new school year.
Israel Sci-Tech Schools Welcomes 100,000 Students
Israel Sci-Tech Schools, the country’s largest independent educational network, welcomed 100,000 students across 265 institutions in 57 towns and municipalities.
The network’s students are supported by 8,373 teachers and staff.
Israel Sci-Tech Schools specializes in science, technology and values-based education, serving students from diverse communities throughout the country.
The network describes its mission as preparing students not only for academic success, but also for leadership, innovation and meaningful participation in Israeli society.
“We are excited to open the new school year with an outstanding education staff that gives students the knowledge, tools and sense of capability to dare, take initiative and make an impact,” said Raz Frohlich, CEO of Israel Sci-Tech Schools.
“We are proud to raise, at ISTS, a curious, values-driven and engaged generation that acts for the benefit of Israeli society.”
Frohlich said the network would continue cultivating academic excellence while encouraging students to believe they can shape Israel’s future.
“Our role is not only to provide knowledge,” he said. “Our role is to create the environment in which they will discover who they can be.”
He described the network’s goal as building “a community of excellence, values, innovation, responsibility and a sense of mission.”
“This was the mission of the pioneers and leaders more than a hundred years ago, and it is also our mission today,” Frohlich said. “I wish all of us a meaningful, successful school year.”
Preparing Israel’s Next Generation
The beginning of the school year is one of Israel’s largest annual civic undertakings.
It brings together millions of students, hundreds of thousands of educators and thousands of schools serving communities across the country.
Within that national system, Israel Sci-Tech Schools plays a major role in preparing students for careers in science, engineering, technology and other fields essential to Israel’s future.
The network operates in Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Druze and Bedouin communities and serves students from a wide range of religious and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Its programs combine academic education with technological training, community involvement and leadership development.
Israel Sci-Tech Schools says its objective is to give students the practical skills and confidence needed to succeed in Israel’s changing economy while encouraging responsibility toward their communities and country.
The organization’s current figures list 100,000 students at 265 educational institutions in 57 municipalities. Israel Sci-Tech Schools identifies itself as Israel’s largest independent educational network and a national leader in science and technology education.
For millions of Israeli families, Sept. 1 marked more than the return of classes, assignments and examinations.
It marked the beginning of another year devoted to learning, resilience and preparing the generation that will lead Israel tomorrow.
TheJ.ca receives no government money. Independent journalism depends on readers who believe these stories must be told. Consider supporting our efforts.
Stand Proud. Stand Strong. Stand Zionist.
