Israeli High Schools Show Improved Matriculation Rates Amid War Challenges

Israel's Ministry of Education released its "Educational Picture" data for 2025, revealing an increase in the national matriculation exam (Bagrut) pass rate among 12th graders from 76.6% to 77.9% in the past year, representing approximately 101,000 students. This marks a 4.5% rise over five years, despite disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing conflict since October 7th. Minister of Education Yoav Kisch attributed the success to "a generation of students who grew up in the shadow of war, this is the victory generation."

The data indicates a reduction in socio-economic gaps by about a third over five years and a decrease in dropout rates. However, the rise in pass rates was partly due to accommodations and leniencies in exams, implemented during the war years in coordination with universities and following advocacy from student and parent organizations. These adjustments particularly aimed to support students from the Gaza border and northern Israel.

Notable improvements were seen in the Arab community, where the pass rate jumped from 78.3% to 83.9%, exceeding the national average. The Bedouin community also showed improvement. In contrast, the Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) education sector reported a pass rate of 27.6%, though this is an increase from previous years.

While the percentage of students achieving excellent matriculation results rose to 14.4%, and the number of top achievers increased by 2,205 to 18,743, disparities persist in advanced studies. The pass rate for five-unit mathematics increased to 17.1%, and for five-unit English to 48.7%. The "Bagrut-Tech" program, requiring five units in math, English, and either physics or computer science, saw its pass rate rise to 11.6%.

The data also highlighted a narrowing of socio-economic gaps, with the difference in pass rates between stronger and weaker socioeconomic strata decreasing from 17.5 to 12 percentage points over five years. Interestingly, the gender gap reversed, with boys now slightly leading in pass rates (78.4%) compared to girls (77.4%), a shift from 2020 when girls led.

Despite a decrease in the national dropout rate to 0.8%, 6,272 students still left the education system. Regarding classroom density, while there has been a decrease in average class sizes over the past decade, an OECD report indicates Israeli classrooms remain 32% denser than the average in member countries. Budgetary data shows higher per-student funding for students in peripheral areas and from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, though local authority budgets can exacerbate these disparities.

Eighty-eight high schools achieved a 100% matriculation pass rate, with specific schools and six local authorities highlighted for their success. Top-performing schools in advanced matriculation subjects like math and "Bagrut-Tech" were also identified, including Odem Derech High School in Katzrin and the Druze School for Science and Leadership in Yarka.

Finally, the data included IDF enlistment rates by locality and school, with several towns and schools reporting 100% enlistment for boys and girls.