IASA-MS/Guatemala School: An exceptional partnership

IASA-MS operates in the Guatemala Elementary School, located in the socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhood of Kiryat Menachem. The Jerusalem Municipality embarked on a project of renewal in the neighborhood, and invited IASA to help strengthen the neighborhood by establishing its middle school there as a way of retaining and attracting families seeking quality education. 

IASA-MS is the first middle school in Israel to require Community Service appropriate for students at this level.   Guatemala School students join their IASA-MS mentors in performing some of the Community Service.   IASA educators mentor Guatemala School teachers.  The Guatemala school offers its students elective enrichment courses based on the IASA-MS model.  IASA-MS teachers organize combined activities to strengthen the bonds between the IASA-MS students and Guatemala School students. IASA-MS adopted IASA's Project Week for students at the middle school level.  Now, the Guatemala School has adopted IASA-MS Project Weeks model and they are both held at the same time, promoting cooperation and mutual learning. 

The Jerusalem Education Authority now promotes the school as the IASA-Guatemala School. Thanks to its partnership with IASA, the Guatemala School is experiencing increased registration, and a rising number of Guatemala students go on to study at the IASA middle school.

As part of the vision of revitalizing Kiryat Menachem, IASA Middle School offers education-related events for parents of students from the IASA-MS, Guatemala School, and the wider neighborhood community in partnership with the Kiryat Menachem Community Council.