The first Hebrew School was established in Rishon LeZion in 1886.
In 1898 the first Hebrew Kindergarten was established. Then as now, our city has always been a leader in educational innovation.
As of 2012 our municipal school system serves 42,372 students:
- 7,369 preschoolers in 258 kindergartens.
- 18,341 students in 49 primary schools.
- 16,662 students in secondary schools.
During the 2009-2010 school year we began a reform of our secondary schooling system. From the 2010-2011 school year we merged the independent junior high schools with the high schools to create two sets of 6-year schools (1st – 6th grade, and 7th – 12th grade).
This plan was applauded by the Minister of Education and the Education Ministry Director General, and is expected to produce results that will place Rishon LeZion at the forefront of Israeli education.
However the task is not yet complete! The challenges before us in our constantly changing environment require us all to do our best to continue building collaboration. We are laying the necessary cultural and ethical infrastructure while establishing the pedagogic continuities for every age group.
This is a process of renewal, within which we are constantly rethinking and realigning ourselves toward improving the academic and social achievements of students in our community, while providing for all of their needs.
In order to further improve their achievements, we are focusing our efforts on supporting students who are having difficulties at school, helping them to adjust to their school environment. This is one of the highest priority goals of the Israeli education system in general, and of our community in particular.
Following is a listing of the main goals we have set ourselves:
- Equal learning opportunities for every student.
- High achievements and fostering excellence.
- Heritage education and reinforcement of the sense of belonging to the country and the city.
- Tolerance and non-violence education.
- Educating about social involvement and active citizenship.
- Educating for sustainability – environmental awareness.
- Teaching and learning processes in an advanced technological environment.
- Educational staff excellence.
- Involving the parents in the educational process.
- Courteous, efficient service.
- An efficient, learning and excelling organization.
- A clean, safe and comfortable learning environment in the city’s education facilities.
- Highly available, efficient technical and maintenance support to the city’s education facilities.
- Systems for control, measuring and monitoring tools within the administration.