Faq
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Questions & Answers
As a parent or guardian preparing to send your student on an educational adventure abroad, or as a student preparing to undertake that journey towards independence, we understand that there are many questions you may have. We hope you will find these commonly asked questions to be informative and helpful.
Dorm rooms are typically set up for 4 students. Each student has a bed, desk, shelf and closet space. Each dorm room has a shower and bathroom. There are communal lounges, rehearsal spaces, activity rooms and outdoor spaces on campus for students to enjoy.
Standard bed sizes are a bit different in Israel than they are in some other countries. For this reason we recommend that our international families consider using services like https://www.packforisrael.com/collections/bedding-towels, https://tamarimconcierge.com/product-category/dorm-packs/, or https://www.blanketexpressplus.com/ for bedding.
It is always important to check with your airline for luggage restrictions. There is space in the dorm rooms to store suitcases under the beds and over the closets, this space is limited. We recommend that each student pack one suitcase, one medium sized duffle bag (useful for weekends and short trips), and a backpack. We also recommend bringing travel sized toiletries for the first few days and planning to purchase bulky or heavy items (such as shampoo) locally.
Every student is expected to wear a solid colored shirt with the school logo on it. Students may bring their own shirts and have the logo ironed on at a variety of stores in Jerusalem, or they may purchase pre-made shirts from the school. Traditionally students where white school shirts for certain school events or national holidays and students where green shirts for sports classes. In addition to the school shirt/symbol requirement, students are expected to dress appropriately at all times in a way that is respectful of themselves, each other, and the school environment.
There are laundry facilities available on campus and students can do laundry during their free time. Students can purchase tokens for the laundry machines from the dorm staff. Students can purchase laundry detergent from any of the nearby stores. Typically roommates will purchase and share certain items as a group though some prefer to keep these things separate as individuals.
Yes. Students will be provided with cleaning supplies, guidance, and supervision and will be expected to keep their rooms, bathrooms and other communal spaces clean and organized.
Students are not permitted to light fire of any kind, including shabbat candles, in their rooms. Students are invited to candle-lighting in the dining hall where there are sufficient candles for anyone who chooses to light.
There is wifi in every dorm room and most common areas. The Mae Boyar Educational Campus has been integrating digital learning into the high school curriculum since long before covid. Every student uses a laptop and an online classroom platform as part of their learning experience.
The school adheres fully to the policies of the ministries of Health and Education. International students must be fully vaccinated to join the program and as such are entitled to the “Green Passport.”
Accepted students will receive all the information needed to get the appropriate student visa for their time in Israel. Program staff are available to assist with this process.
A representative of the school will meet international students at Ben Gurion Airport upon arrival and escort them to our campus in Jerusalem where they can check in to their dorm room and settle in before orientation.
Israeli skies are currently open and families are encouraged to visit during scheduled vacations. Families are welcome to visit the campus after making prior arrangements with the staff. Families are not able to sleep on campus and should consider any of the nearby hotels or holiday apartment rental options. Students are expected to maintain their attendance if/while families are visiting.
Students have supervised excursions off campus as well as designated free time to explore the city. We recommend students use the moovit app for navigating public transportation and encourage them to explore together with their classmates.
There are closed weekends and free weekends at the dorms. On closed weekends students stay on campus and participate in community activities. There is plenty of free time for resting, reading, or whatever students choose to do with their time. During free weekends and most holidays, the dorms are closed and students are encouraged to visit family or family friends, go to host families that school screens in advance, or go to one of our partner-schools and visit with those students in their dormitories. During longer holidays and school vacations the dorms are closed and students may travel inside or outside Israel.
The food service team is experienced in catering to a variety of food needs. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, allergy restrictions etc can all be accommodated as needed. The dining hall serves a healthy, balanced, kosher menu of 3 meals a day. There is a cafeteria on campus where students can buy food and snacks if they choose.
Both the academic campus and the residential campus are gated and guarded. The academic campus is guarded during school hours and the residential campus is guarded 24/7. It is standard practice in Israel to place guards at the entrance to schools, shopping malls, and many public buildings and offices.
One of the advantages of the IB program are the small class sizes that enable faculty to consider the individual learning style of every student while forming a collaborative group experience in the classroom. Average class size is 8-13 students per classroom.
Students with a variety of needs and differences are welcome to apply to the international program. Please be in touch with our admissions office to discuss the specific situation and what supports are available. While we strive to support every individual student, we are cognizant of our resources and would not want to place a student in a situation where their needs cannot be accommodated. Our goal is to set every student up for success.
Or a religious school? One of the founding principles of the MBHS international program is Jewish peoplehood and as such we are committed to providing a welcoming environment to a diverse group of students from Jewish communities from around the world. We are a non-denominational program, encouraging students to explore and strengthen their own identities in an open-minded and curious atmosphere that celebrates both our common peoplehood and our many differences in a respectful way. Students who identify as orthodox, reform, constructionist, conservative, secular, culturally Jewish, and those still exploring their Jewish identity will all be welcomed and supported at MBHS.
Students will not be discriminated against on the basis of religion. Non-Jewish student who are comfortable signing up for a school environment that is based around the Jewish and Israeli national calendar will be welcome.
Homesickness is not uncommon when students travel far from home for studies, summer camps, college or other opportunities. We have a dedicated staff and a robust social and emotional support team in place to help our students through the special challenges of international boarding school and the regular challenges of being a teenager.