Israeli School System — School Registration for Olim (Preschool, Elementary, and High School)

Source: https://www.nbn.org.il/life-in-israel/education/child-and-teen/school-registration · 2026

Choosing a school for your child(ren) is one of the most significant decisions in the Aliyah planning process. In Israel, all schools are under the supervision of the local Machleket HaChinuch (Department of Education). Registration is therefore a bureaucratic process, different from the private day school systems common in North America or the UK.

Note: The registration process in the Charedi sector is different. Parents must request an application directly from the preschool, elementary school, Yeshiva Ketana, or Seminar (girls’ high school). Registration only takes place once the student has been accepted. Some schools are part of a network (e.g., Beit Yaakov); in these cases, application and registration are done through the network’s central office.

Preschool (Gan) and Elementary School

Required Documentation

• Mispar Zehut (identity number) of each child and both parents.
• Passport numbers are accepted in lieu of Mispar Zehut.
• Proof of residence: copy of the Arnona (municipal tax) statement that includes the family’s name.
  • If renting: provide a rental contract including parents’ names, valid for a full year.
  • If not in Israel during registration: may give power of attorney to an Israeli citizen, provided each child and parent has a Mispar Zehut and proof of residence.

Fees

• No registration fee, but a deposit is applied toward the first month’s tuition.
• Contact your local Iriya (municipality) or board of education for any Gan fees (ages 3–5).
• Gan Chova (kindergarten): ~400–450 NIS annual fee. A Horaat Keva (standing bank order) form must be submitted.
• Tzaharon (afternoon program): additional fee paid directly to the operating organization; price is set locally.
• Elementary school tuition: 500–4,000 NIS per year (varies by school type).

Registration Location

• Most cities offer online registration at: https://www.cityedu.co.il
• First-time registration (for Olim and new city residents) must be done in person at the local Machleket HaChinuch in order to present required documentation.

Timeline

• Registration information is mailed out in December.
• Registration takes place January–February.
• Placement letter (naming the specific school) is sent in June/July.
• Parents have seven days to appeal the placement decision.
• A family may also submit a request to register in a school outside their district (in addition to the district school).

Important: Registration does not guarantee placement in a particular school. Placement depends on your address and religious affiliation.

Junior High and High School

Required Documentation

• Mispar Zehut (or passport number) of each child and both parents.
• Proof of residence via Arnona statement or rental contract (same rules as above).
• Non-regional schools only require a Mispar Zehut or passport number.

Fees

• 75 NIS registration fee for the national entrance exam.
• Annual tuition: 1,500–15,000 NIS (varies; includes tuition, dormitory, additional hours, transportation).

Registration Process

• Registration for regional schools is done online. Many schools also require an entrance exam and interview.
• Online registration signals interest in applying — it does not confirm acceptance.

Timeline

• Mamlachti-Dati (religious): process begins in December.
• Mamlachti (non-religious): process begins in March.

National Entrance Exam (Non-Regional Schools)

• A standardized national exam is held in December for admission to non-regional Ulpanot and Yeshiva dormitory high schools.
• Exam covers: Hebrew comprehension, math, general Torah knowledge, and English.
• Olim may request to take the exam in English — this request must be made on the registration form.
• Children with diagnosed learning disabilities may receive leniencies with a declaration from an educational psychologist.
• Exam results are sent to the schools selected by the student; schools decide whether to invite the student for an interview.
• List of non-regional schools: http://cms.education.gov.il/NR/rdonlyres/462E4FBA-BF1D-47E5-A1C2-4B977FF31DFB/120819/resource_1245745251.doc

Local Mamlachti School Placement (Example: Jerusalem)

• Mamlachti-Dati: Students register online for up to three schools; Machleket HaChinuch places students according to requests.
• Mamlachti: Students register online for top two school choices; Machleket HaChinuch places according to requests.

Pre-Aliyah Planning

• Some semi-private schools (elementary and junior high/high school) may reserve a spot for a child before the family makes Aliyah.
• In cities with Olim coordinators, a spot may be reservable. Contact the school in winter to arrange this.
• Even if a spot cannot be reserved, notify the Olim coordinator of your children’s grade levels so they can plan Ulpan hours.
• All cities are legally obligated to place your child in a local school. If there is no room in the district school, the child will be placed in a neighboring district.

Contact Nefesh B’Nefesh for Help

• US & Canada: 1-866-4-ALIYAH
• Israel: 02-659-5800
• Post-Aliyah Answers Helpline (Israel): *3680