Background:
WIZO Nahalal Youth Village was established in 1923 as an agricultural school for young women by Dr. Hanna Meisel Shochat, a Zionist leader and pioneer. The school’s goal was to train young women immigrants and residents of the land to integrate into agricultural work in Israel in a productive and autonomous manner, thus being part of the realization of the Zionist dream.
Today, WIZO Nahalal Youth Village is a renowned and innovative educational community integrated into Israeli society and the communities in the region. It operates based on a connection to its roots as an early settlement and according to the vision of its founders.
The students of the village, both within the framework of the school and in the boarding school, experience a variety of activities, providing opportunities for each student to experience success, personal expression, strengthening of self-esteem, and the developing a sense of citizenship in the State of Israel.
At WIZO Nahalal, we believe that the direct connection between young people and nature has additional values that are difficult to acquire within the four walls of a classroom, including education for personal, social, and environmental responsibility, dedication, initiative, sensitivity, thoroughness, and empathy. Our students learn all this through a variety of activities such as farming, horseback riding, honey production, winemaking in the vineyard, olive oil production at the press, greenhouse work, and agricultural technology-integrated research.
At WIZO Nahalal, we believe that the people of the future need to be broad-minded, exposed to diverse cultural populations, engaged in rich cultural and creative activities, connected to the land through their senses and experiences, involved in sports activities, and have diverse academic curiosity, all of which are available at WIZO Nahalal.
WIZO Nahalal Values
– Youth Village as a Community: The youth village is an educational, communal, agricultural space in the Jezreel Valley. It provides a sense of home and security, and a connection to our roots.
– Leadership: We cultivate personal and social leadership, realization and excellence, personal autonomy, volunteering and contribution to local and national society, repairing the world through building a diverse Israeli society.
– “They See Me”: Our village is a meaningful and accepting place for each and every person: student, staff, visitors. It is our heartfelt view of every young boy and girl that they belong, will experience personal growth and social integration.
Points of Excellence
- WIZO Nahalal Youth Village offers a variety of study tracks for high school students such as: academic studies, agricultural experiences, the Dream Program (students creating a better world), therapeutic and general arts, trips and tours, cultural events, pre-military preparation courses, and study topics such as: biotechnology, robotics, computer science, chemistry, physics, art, music, agriculture, theater, cinema, diplomacy, leadership, biology, social sciences, a special track for final projects, and more.
- High rates of graduation
- Athlete’s Academy – a unique sports program featuring a variety of options: mountain biking, Olympic archery, boys’ and girls’ basketball, and boys’ and girls’ soccer. The academy allows athletes to maintain their sports activities alongside their studies.
- NahalalTech Program – an academic excellence program for students interested and capable of studying at the highest levels of math, English and science/technology. The program starts in 10th grade, and requires screening and acceptance.
- Learning Center – private or small group tutoring with professional teachers, operating in the afternoon, providing private or small group tutoring as needed, assistance in homework preparation, reports and projects.
- Enrichment clubs – chess, archery, table tennis, gym, preparation for the IDF, Bartali – biking group, music/band, art, horseback riding.
- Diverse social life – a supportive social framework and emphasis on the importance of teamwork and social connections.
For WIZO Nahalal’s Hebrew site, click: nahalal.co.il
