At Naale Elite Academy, we have completed the first successful screening round of prospective students for our program, which places Jewish teenagers from the Diaspora in unique Israeli schools for a life-changing, immersive educational experience.
At the end of each screening round, we are always impressed by the brightness, motivation and strong character of Jewish teenagers around the world who are interested in studying in Israel with Naale.
Naale offers Diaspora teenagers numerous educational sites where they can reconnect with their roots, experience Israel (and Israel!) from the inside, and learn in an environment that fosters independence, academic excellence, and personal growth.
Our thorough screening process is a vital part of what is such a positive and transformative experience at Naale for our participants, as it ensures that we create a driven, intelligent and supportive student.
Here’s what our screening process entails, what we look for in our prospective students, and how that ties into the incredible environment we strive to create.
Naale Elite Academy Players (Courtesy)
We are looking for students who are thoughtful, intelligent, serious about their studies, and who have the ability to thrive while living in a new environment, several time zones away from their families.
Our team of psychologists go to the applicants’ communities and meet each student face-to-face, measuring their levels of emotional, social and intellectual maturity. Applicants engage in conversation about their understanding of the commitment and challenges of studying abroad.
It is essential that students are enthusiastic about participation; at Naale, we are trying to find out who is ready for the intense experience of adapting to a new culture and language. The screening also includes academic and cognitive testing, group activities with other applicants, as well as one-on-one interviews with parents of prospective students.
Thanks in large part to our customized, in-depth screening process, we are able to bring the most dedicated students possible to the program. A staggering 95 percent of Naale students graduate, compared to 86 percent of American high schoolers and 78 percent of Israeli students for non-Jewish students Naale.
Naale participants enjoy access to trained counselors, resident counselors, “housewives”, regular tutoring in Hebrew and academic subjects, social workers, psychologists, and more, who all work as a team to ensure that our student academically and socially. .
Naale Elite Academy Players (Courtesy)
Who benefits from Naale’s experience? Students from 64 countries.
Students who are interested in the adventure of a lifetime, who are curious about life in Israel, and who love to learn in the classroom and in the context of the world around them, will thrive at Naale. The program is perfect for teenagers who are ready to take on the challenges of mastering a new language and connecting with their classmates from a rich variety of countries and backgrounds.
Naale offers several school options for students, depending on their level of religious observance, primary language, and academic interests. The Naale network includes both coed and single-sex schools, as well as focus-specific schools such as Earth Sciences and technology-based programs.
Our participants’ reasons for joining Naale are as varied as the students themselves. Some join because they’re looking for a meaningful Jewish high school experience that won’t break the bank (Naale is a fully subsidized program). Others are interested in the opportunity to live and study with other Diaspora teenagers from 64 countries around the globe.
“I chose Naale because I wanted to connect with my Judaism in Israel, but my family wasn’t ready to make Aliyah,” says Chicago native Naomi Cohen. “What’s special about Naale is the relationship you make with the children in your class. You’re going through the same thing, you’re all there for each other, and you feel like you have a family in Israel.”
Cultural diversity for lifelong enrichment
With students from North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania, Naale participants gain a unique insight and perspective on the communities, traditions, foods, and cultures of the Diaspora. As a program made up of teenagers from around the globe, the students share unique customs and an insider’s view of their homeland, while bonding over the shared Jewish heritage that unites them.
Naale Elite Academy Players (Courtesy)
Naale’s strength comes from its vibrancy and diversity. Students gain critical exposure to other cultures, while at the same time strengthening their own Jewish identity. Even students from big cosmopolitan cities cite the ability to connect and make friends with Diaspora teenagers from around the world as one of their favorite aspects of participating in Naale.
What does Naale’s success look like?
Naale’s academic success means that students take advantage of all the support and resources available to them to pursue their studies vigorously, apply themselves, and graduate from the program with a recognized high school diploma. international and strong Hebrew skills.
But there is another important aspect to student success at Naale: growing into the best versions of themselves. For different students, that may mean creating lifelong friendships and bonds, strengthening their social skills, solidifying their Jewish identities, or becoming comfortable in their own skin.
We are proud of the positive changes our students make during their time at Naale, learning vital skills that will serve them well into adulthood. If Naale sounds like a great fit for your teenager, you can learn more about the application process here.