Israel Sci-Tech Schools Opens 2025-2026 School Year with 100,000 Students in 264 Institutions

Israel Sci-Tech Schools (ISTS), Israel’s largest independent charter school network, officially opened the 2025–2026 school year yesterday, welcoming approximately 100,000 students across 264 educational institutions nationwide. More than 8,100 devoted staff members greeted students as school gates opened this morning.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog and First Lady Michal Herzog joined Israel Sci-Tech Schools’ Danciger High School in Kiryat Shmona to welcome students on their first day of school.

This year’s opening was marked by both excitement and profound sorrow, as the network mourns the loss of 158 alumni who fell in the ongoing Iron Swords War. In addition, three graduates — Itay Hen z"l, Nimrod Cohen, and Matan Angrest — remain held captive in

Nationwide, about 2.6 million Israeli students returned today to classrooms amid the war and an ongoing shortage of teaching staff. Of these, 149,000 entered 12th grade, their final year in the education system. The 2025–2026 school year began against the backdrop of the Iron Swords War, now entering its third year.

Joining the network’s back-to-school events across Israel was Mark Levenfus of Scarsdale, NY, Chairman of Friends of Israel Sci-Tech Schools. Among the highlights was a gathering of all 400 ISTS principals for a special conference held ahead of the school year.

“The education of students in Israel — especially in STEM — is the most important investment in the country’s future and the only way to ensure it will thrive moving forward,” said Mark Levenfus. “Our world is moving faster than ever in terms of technology and AI, and I had the honor of meeting 400 principals from Israel Sci-Tech Schools who are deeply dedicated to this mission. While Israeli society is facing enormous challenges — perhaps the greatest since the establishment of the state — the way to overcome them begins with the best teachers and principals who care profoundly about their students.”

As the year kicks off, ISTS is launching Israel’s first Code of Ethics for the responsible use of AI tools in the education system. This year, the network’s youth movement division will lead more than 40 community engagement programs initiated and led by the network’s students. The division will expand its activity particularly in peripheral areas and focus on initiatives fostering resilience, a sense of belonging, and unity among students.

“We are opening the school year with a profound sense of mission,” said Raz Frohlich, CEO of the Israel Sci-Tech Schools Network. “Our educational teams bring both commitment and a deep belief in the power of education to shape Israeli society and strengthen its resilience from within. As a leading educational organization with a broad and diverse nationwide presence, bridging sectors, religions, and communities, we are placing special emphasis this year on fostering communal resilience and unity. In addition, out of our commitment to relevant education in a changing world, we developed the first Code of Ethics in the Israeli education system for integrating AI into education.”