Enrollment at Youth Aliyah’s three junior high remedial residential villages has increased substantially for the 2004/05 school year. At Ben Yakir the intake has increased from 120 last year to 152 students this year.

"We have a good reputation and the word is spreading," explained Ben Yakir’s Director Yossi Krothamer.

At Kiryat Yearim the number of students has increased from 120 to 140. "We have made a major investment in living conditions and innovative teaching methods," observed the village’s Director Hezi Panet, "and that is attracting more pupils."

The numbers are also up at Ramat Hadassah Szold where 250 children are studying compared to 220 last year. "Another mark of success is that seven of our twelfth grade graduates are continuing their studies at technical colleges," said the villages newly appointed Director Moshe Zin.

At Hadassah Neurim 497 students have enrolled in the high school including 193 in the residential village. "This year we are offering a more diverse range of matriculation courses including theater, arts and medicine," said village Director Nachum Katz. "We are also expanding our therapy program through the arts, dance and martial arts."

At Nitzana in the Negev 50 students are starting the seventh SELAH Science program and 50 Ethiopian born newcomers are enrolled in the fourth KEDMA program. "Despite the drop in aliyah," said Nitzana Director David Palmach, "We have had a rise in applicants which reflects the success of our programs."

Kislev 5765 - November 2004