Jerusalem School

THE VISION
At Jerusalem School, we desire to create students who are balanced, secure, and maturing in their relationship with God and who are academically and socially prepared to succeed wherever they go. It is our privilege to participate in their learning process, serving as role models, leaders, teachers, intercessors, mentors and friends.

Started by Ross and Margret Byars in 1987, Jerusalem School has graduated hundreds of students who have matriculated to universities such as Princeton, Duke, U Penn and Georgetown in the U.S. as well as other top-tier schools across the globe. Many of these students have gone on to obtain their MD, DDS, and Jurist Doctorate with many currently enrolled in PhD programs.

We are very proud of our students who are dedicated to making a difference in their local communities by serving as pastors and teachers. In fact, we have been blessed and honored to have several alumni come back and serve on the faculty/ staff of Jerusalem School over the years.

THE MISSION
Our most important goal is to make sure each child is aware of God’s love for them, the acceptance of His love, and the desire to fellowship with Him. Through our lives and attitudes, as well as through devotions and curriculum, we have the opportunity to convey these objectives.

Academically, we strive for excellence. We desire that each student take pride in his/her workmanship, do his/her best at all times, and do so with zeal. We are dedicated to instill these attitudes in every student.

THE SCHOOL
Originally established to meet the needs of American children whose parents were living in Israel for various reasons, Jerusalem School (the "School") is a Christian, American, private, co-educational K3-12 institution offering a college preparatory program leading to a U.S. high school diploma. It has locations in Beit Hanina in Jerusalem and in Beit Jala (Bethlehem) in the West Bank. Together, the campuses currently enroll an average of 800 students of whom the majority is native to the region. To serve these campuses, the school employs a faculty/staff of 80 professionals, comprised of locals and international volunteers.

We believe there is a need for an English curriculum school based on an American system of education that will provide a positive and productive educational experience for the students we serve. We also believe that moral and spiritual training, which is consistent with the teachings of the Bible, should be an intricate part of the intellectual, artistic, and physical training of children.

THE PROGRAM:
Jerusalem School offers a competitive academic program for all its students with nearly 90% of our graduates go on to study at American and international universities.

In addition, we strive to enable students to develop proficiency in the English language, in order that they may be able to continue their studies in the English language. Jerusalem School desires to provide a well balanced curriculum including English, mathematics, natural science, foreign languages, social studies, art, music, physical education, and religion. All students are required to participate in religious activities such as learning Bible lessons, Bible verses, and singing.

Extracurricular activities also play an important role at Jerusalem school and include the following: Student Government Association, Yearbook, Crossing Borders, Seeds of Peace, and Model United Nations (MUN). In addition, the athletics program at Jerusalem High School (JHS) includes girl’s and boy’s basketball and soccer teams as well as intramural sports including volleyball, soccer, and basketball.

ACADEMIC TRACKS
Jerusalem School offers three academic tracks to its high school students. These tracks are specifically designed to provide each student with the necessary materials and curriculum to enable them to go on to higher education in the US, the Middle Eastern, or Israeli Universities. The three academic tracks are as follows: the Tawjihi equivalency track which is necessary for students who study abroad and want to return to the region and work in professions like medicine, engineering, law, etc; the American Track utilizing the SAT and college prep curriculum for matriculation into an American college or university; and the Psychometric equivalency track that equips the students to enter into Israeli colleges and universities.

LICENSURE AND ACCREDITATION
Jerusalem School is licensed with both the Palestinian Ministry of Education and the Israeli Ministry of Education. We hold accreditation in the United States through the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI) as well as internationally through the Commission on International and Trans-Regional Accreditation (CITA).

THE FACULTY
The high school faculty consists a of well-trained, international staff of educators with a good percentage holding Masters degrees. The faculty: student ratio in the high school is 11:1.

THE STUDENT BODY
The student body is primarily composed of Palestinians whose parents have either studied in the U.S. and have returned this country or have the desire for their children to be schooled in an American curriculum so they can matriculate to American colleges and universities seamlessly. Over 10 different countries are represented within the student body.