IASA Middle School (IASA-MS):
A different junior high school experience.
IASA-MS is poised to lead a revolution in Israeli middle school education. The Jerusalem Education Authority worked together with IASA to establish a model for junior high school excellence in response to the serious gap in educational quality in Israeli middle schools (grades 7-9). While many high schools are re-configuring to include the middle grades, we believe that structural change is not enough; a complete overhaul of approach and curriculum is essential.
IASA-MS opened its doors to its first class of 60 7th-grade students in September 2017. It now numbers 180 students in 3 grades. Its student body is a vibrant mix of religious and secular Jewish students as well as Muslim and Christian Arab students and students with special needs, all united in their pursuit of excellence.
Enter a classroom at IASA's new middle school and you will be astonished by the students' intent interest, extensive knowledge, and dynamic discussion. IASA-MS students are learning to ask questions, seek information, reflect, connect and evaluate. They learn science through hands-on experiments (every other Friday students learn in the IASA-HS's laboratories), musical performance, building models, acting, fine arts, teamwork, writing, and research.
The goal for IASA-MS is to transform education in middle schools across Israel.
Unlike at most Israeli middle schools, IASA-MS teachers are specialists in their fields, many holding advanced degrees as well as teachers' certificates. In addition to core classes in biology, chemistry, math, physics, music, art, history, geography, civics, English, Arabic, Hebrew, Bible and Israeli Studies, students choose from enriching elective courses including game theory, philosophy and cinema, debate, sociology, theatre, halacha (Jewish law), Excel, art printmaking, scouting, and activist literature. Many of these courses are taught by external professionals including university professors and professional artists and writers.
In addition to innovative learning for the students, IASA-MS engages the parents as well. IASA-MS principal Anat Maoz holds monthly roundtable meetings with IASA-MS parents to engage in frank examination of subjects relevant to the school. We believe it is essential to include parents in the ecosystem of excellence in education.