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Motivated, mature teens aged 13-16 who are eligible for Israel’s Law of Return. Parents can apply for their children and are a part of the application and screening process.
The program spans 3-4 years and is structured accordingly. Students are expected to remain in the program for the full three or four years, which is to say – until they graduate from high school.
It can take time to adjust to high school in Israel.
Yes. Most Naale schools have a 9th grade class. At our screening sessions, we seek to ensure that these younger students are well-suited to attend Naale.
Yes, as long as they are between 13-16 years old when they begin the program, and are willing to repeat 10th grade. Each year, there are a number of 11th grade students who opt to attend Naale by repeating 10th grade.
In addition, we might accept a student who is older and wishing to attend 11th grade, on the condition that they already have a high level of reading, writing, and speaking Hebrew and are able to integrate into an Israeli classroom with ease. The student must pass our advanced Hebrew placement test at the screening.
Naale students hail from more than 60 countries. Each school has students from several countries. With that, there are different opportunities for student to meet, with each school having its own policy regarding joint activities between schools. Seminars and trips are held during Passover, Sukkot and Hanukkah, and each year there is a ‘Naale Day’ which brings together all Naale students from all schools.
Yes. Naale students reside in the dormitory during the school week, and may visit family and friends on free weekends. Any weekend or holiday excursions off campus must be approved by a student’s parents and by the school staff ahead of time in advance
In most cases, yes. Some schools require all students (both international and Israeli) to live in the dorms, while other schools give Israeli students the option of dorming or commuting daily.
Naale schools have dorm counselors, a dorm mother, and a Naale coordinator. Together, the dorm staff ensures student safety and security after school hours around the clock, enforcing rules and regulations and assisting students as needed.
Parents should contact the Naale Coordinator or group counselor at their child’s school. They know the students personaly and can solve most problem or consult with relevant parties.
Issues that are school-specific or confidential are handled discreetly between parents, students, and school faculty.
Behaviours such as – drinking, smoking, reckless or dangerous behavior, causing harm to a fellow student or to self, disregarding school rules and regulations, and neglecting studies would all serve as grounds for dismissal from the program.
Naale is first and formost a school program. Students who are not Israeli citizens enter Israel with a special Naale student visa. Student who have Israeli citizenship enter the country with a valid Israeli passprt. After graduation, students can choose to make Aliyah (if they are 18), or go back home.
Yes, chldren of Israeli parents, or children who were born in Israel can apply to Naale provided that they have spent at least 4 years abroad prior to applying. Please speak to your Regional Manager to find out whether additional requirements or restrictions apply.
According to Israeli law, students who meet the following criteria are required to draft into the IDF upon completing the 12th grade:
Students who have at least one Israeli parent.
Students who have spent at least two years of high school in Israel, provided they are Israeli citizens. Students who are not Israeli citizens are not required to serve in the IDF upon graduation.
About a year befour the end of the program the students meet with their Naale coordinator and the Naale alumni department to discuss their options, including the Army. Student who choose to draft typicaly go on their “tzav rishon” or initial draft notice, as a group.
Yes, students can stay in the program as long as they start Naale at least three months before their parents make Aliyah. In order to remain eligible for Naale benefits, students must continue living in the dorms and adhering to the schools’ weekend schedule.
If parents plan to make Aliyah while their child is a Naale student, it is best to discuss this ahead of time with the Regional Manager and Aliyah coordinator.
Israeli students/students who made aliyah with thier parents are not aligeble to join Naale. You may contact Aliyat Hano’ar or the school of your choice directly for more information about your options.
We love it when families visit the campuses. Please be in touch with the school directly to arrange your visit ahead of time. And check out our Instagram and Facebook live sessions with our schools to find out more!
Yes. Be aware that each school has its own policy regarding how much school students can miss for family events and visits, please make arrangments with the school in advance. We encourage parents to schedule visits during or adjacent to school vacations to minimize school absences.
Naale works with both religious and secular schools. The secular schools are co-ed and the religious schools are separate for boys and girls. All of our schools serve Kosher food.
Yes, all Naale students live in their respective youth villages as a group. This includes any student whose parents made Aliyah after they started the program.
Naale students who have family in Israel may visit them when permitted but they have to live on campus.
Naale students have to be between the ages of 13-16 when they start the program. But you can begin the registration process right away and we’ll be in touch when registration begins!
Naale students complete the Israeli matriculation (Bagrut) exams and earn an internationally-recognized diploma.
Students in Israel study math in one of three levels:
Three points math is considered basic high school mathematics.
Four points is an intermediate math level.
Five points math is the most advanced.
Students who are highly motivated and have a strong aptitude for math generally attempt four or five points of math. They should be prepared to dedicate significant time and effort to the subject, both in and beyond the classroom.
All Naale students complete the Israeli matriculation (Bagrut) exams to earn their internationally-recognized diploma. Typically, Israeli students do not take the SATs or ACTs, and instead take the Israeli Psychometric Exam in order to get in to an Israeli university.
Naale students who wish to take the SAT or ACT exams may do so independently.
The balance of Hebrew and English instruction varies among schools. Acquiring Hebrew is a goal at Naale, and the school and teachers help students learn the language gradually.
Generally, during the first semester, teachers use basic Hebrew and may explain course material in English. Afterward, most classes are taught in basic Hebrew. By the end of their first year, most students have acquired a strong foundation in reading, writing, and speaking Hebrew.
The balance of Hebrew and English instruction varies among schools. Acquiring Hebrew is a goal at Naale, and each school and teacher strives to help students learn the language gradually.
Generally, during the first semester, teachers use basic Hebrew and may explain course material in English. Afterward, most classes are taught in Hebrew. By the end of their first year, most students have acquired a strong foundation in reading, writing, and speaking Hebrew.
After the first year, instruction and testing typically take place in Hebrew.
The program itself is free! Signing up does involve two fees:
A one-time $700 USD application fee
A one-time $1400 USD acceptance fee
Other than these two payments, there are no additional costs.
The program includes airfare to Israel at the beginning of the program, room and board, off-campus travel expenses, tiyulim (trips), spending money, and more, and is fully funded by the Israeli Ministry of Education and the Jewish Agency for Israel.
*Updated rates as of October 2025
The Naale Elite Academy program is jointly funded by the Israeli Ministry of Education and the Jewish Agency.
