What is Israels schooling like?

Answer 1

Israeli schools tend to follow the educational model common throughout Europe. That means that if you do not complete what in the U.S. would be considered "college level" Calculus, both I and II, by the 11th grade, you don't graduate. In Israel high level grammar and language, what would be considered "AP English," or rather its Hebrew equivalent, is usually completed by the 10th grade. I am not too sure regarding the details, but I do know, in Israel school teachers have very high salaries, with six figures not being uncommon among 10 year veterans. However there is also massive disparity as to which schools get money; if you are talking the schools of ashkenazi Jewish Israelis, the quality of education is some of the best in the world, topped only by France and Switzerland, and even then that is flattering France and Switzerland. However, if you are talking some Sephardi, and Misrahi schools, you have some of the most run down types of schools, you will ever see. In fact, Israel does not even use standardized testing (that is an American phenomenon); like all places in the world outside the U.S.A, Israel uses entrance exams. While not nearly as difficult as the entrance exams of Japan or South Korea where the saying goes "he who sleeps, does not go to college!" the exams are so ridiculously tough, they still give many people nightmares. In fact, Israeli university exams are so tough, most people would rather serve in the army first; the majority of Israelis are more scared of the University entrance exams, than they are of the army.

Answer 2

Israel has three parallel school systems. In order to cater to the Orthodox Jewish and Arab-Israeli minorities, there are General Public Schools (for Israeli secular Jews), Orthodox Jewish Schools (for Orthodox Jewish Israelis), and Arab-Israeli schools. The difference between the General Public Schools and Arab-Israeli Schools is primarily the language of instruction: Hebrew vs. Arabic. The difference between the General Public Schools and the Orthodox Jewish Schools is primarily curricular: Modern European Style vs. Historic Jewish Religious Education.

In terms of the general classroom, it is roughly the same as the French system. There is a teacher at the front of the room who primarily lectures and examinations are given as singular exams at the end of a semester or year.