The Lifta School believes that every child has the basic right to an appropriate and meaningful education and must be afforded the opportunity to realize his or her talents and abilities to their fullest. This applies to all children, including youths who have dropped out of standard educational settings. Lifta has developed a successful working model that places the individual student at the center of the educational task and encourages each child towards maximum personal achievement in both academic and emotional spheres.

​

The Friends of Lifta School Organization was created to further the school’s mission, enabling it to properly respond to the needs of its pupils. Working under the auspices of the Ministry of Education and the Jerusalem Municipality, the Lifta School receives standard funding that forms the backbone of the school’s yearly budget. However, the Friends of Lifta School Organization seeks additional financial resources that would enable the school to further develop innovative projects that serve its unique student body and the challenges it faces.

In recent years, the organization has promoted three important projects - the Lifta Learning Center, the Lifta Center for the Arts, and the Promoting Learning Program – Individual Educational Assistance and Counseling to Teens with Learning Disabilities and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). These three projects tremendously enhance the pupils’ educational and rehabilitative experience.

​

The Lifta Learning Center

This program will address the pressing need of the majority of pupils at the Lifta School for remedial learning. The program will evaluate each pupil to assess his/her learning issues and will provide individual and small-group tutoring for each pupil by professional remedial teachers in the necessary subjects. The Lifta educational staff will undergo training in the field of learning disabilities, through both workshops and individual guidance regarding each pupil. The program will also include the renovation of the physical premises of the current homework assistance room and create a reading and reference library with computer access and secluded areas for individual tutoring.

​

The Lifta Center for the Arts

A course of studies including music, drama, cinematography, creative writing and photography will be offered in which the pupils will be able to choose one field and study twice weekly in small groups of up to ten. While each pupil will participate in these classes, they will also be encouraged to practice and use the facilities on a rotating basis during their free time. Professional teachers in each discipline will be hired and trained by the Lifta counseling staff to work with youths at risk. The course will include theoretical studies, hands-on experience, participation in cultural events as well as the production of three performances and exhibitions during the school year.

​

Counselling for Team and Students

Personal and group emotional counseling is given to the school staff.  Lifta School students have a wide range of emotional difficulties and we take care of their daily needs and a give a great deal of support. The empowerment of the school staff together with close guidance is essential so that this help is significant. An expert clinical psychologist accompanies the school staff and thus enables the school team to become more professional and work better with the students.

Each of the educational staff receives a weekly hour of individual guidance. The school staff as a whole is accompanied by a psychologist 4 hours per week during team meetings.

​

Seniors Support Program

The school is a supportive and growing framework for its students. After experiencing life challenges together with academic and emotional difficulties, the school has set itself the goal of advancing its students in these respects.

After students finish their studies, they face the military and the civilian system where there is far less support and accompaniment. In order to prevent further falls and to maintain their strength at a familiar place, we offer a support system for the graduates of the school.

The support is given by a staff member, however, it is as an external project from the school's conduct. Their personal guidance during the first five years includes regular conversations, personal and group meetings and professional help at work placement.

Artistic Framework - Art workshops, photography and creative writing courses take place after school hours depending on the groups that are created.

This system enables connection to their points of strength in their adult life. Hence, over a period of 10 years, the graduates' life conduct is monitored and looked into – a way of learning as a school system and ways of support for the future Contributions to 'Friends of Lifta School Organization' are tax-deductible in Israel and in the USA.