Over 1.18 Million Israeli Students Finish School Year as National Summer Programs Launch
On Tuesday, June 30, 2026, approximately 1,185,447 students in Israel completed the 2025-2026 school year. This includes 1,182,566 elementary school students (grades 1-6), 335,860 middle school students (grades 7-9), and 533,769 high school students (grades 10-12). Additionally, 185,447 kindergarten children and 345,799 pre-kindergarten children finished their academic year and began summer vacation, with most continuing in municipal summer camps.
Coinciding with the school year’s end, the Ministry of Education launched its national summer programs with a total investment of about one billion shekels. A key new initiative is the nationwide rollout of the "Israel Realistic" summer preparatory program for middle school students, operating in 215 municipalities and already enrolling over 66,000 students. The program integrates core subjects such as math, science, English, and STEM with artificial intelligence training, practical workshops with leading companies, industry leader meetings, educational tours, and social and ethical content.
Education Minister Yoav Kish praised the broad participation, highlighting that more than 66,000 students have registered for the program. He emphasized the program’s tailored approach to meet the needs of local authorities, schools, and families rather than applying a uniform standard. Kish noted the high demand especially in northern and southern regions, areas heavily impacted by recent conflict, underscoring the importance of expanding educational opportunities for students and communities nationwide. He expressed intent to continue and expand the program next year.
The summer programs also include "Schools of the Big Vacation" and other new initiatives aimed at strengthening educational continuity, reducing gaps, boosting achievements in STEM and English, enhancing emotional resilience and safety, and easing family burdens during the summer break. Data from the Ministry shows that about 57,000 of the 66,000 enrolled students come from northern, Haifa, and southern districts, with over 42,000 from northern and southern localities, reflecting the critical need for these educational supports in those regions.
