Hugim (Haifa)

The school was founded in July 1934 by the late Yair and Alan Katz.

The initiative to establish the school came from a group of parents from Germany, who wanted to create an appropriate educational framework for their children, a framework that would combine teaching the Hebrew language and imparting Israeli cultural and social values ​​with the educational-educational expectations of German immigrants.

The studies were conducted in small study groups (study classes), and over the years these developed into full classrooms. The educational view of the late Yair Katz - placing the student at the center of educational activity - has formed the basis of education in the school from its inception until now.

Yair Katz saw the establishment and management of the school as his contribution to the Zionist enterprise, and thus a considerable part of the study hours was devoted to dealing with the tasks of society and the state.

Stages in school development:

1930s: The school was founded and the organizational and conceptual infrastructure was built. On the balcony of Ms. Ruth Kopel at 17 Masada St., a class of 29 students was opened under the guidance of Yair Katz.

In 1939, the school moved 200 of its students to 3 Pevzner Street. For several years, the studies took place in two shifts, due to the increase in the number of students and the small number of classrooms.

1940s: In 1941, the first graduating class graduated and the institution was recognized as a high school for everything by the Department of Education of the National Committee. In 1944, "defense" training was held at night in school classrooms. The school has become a full partner in the struggle for the establishment of the state and takes an active part in the absorption of Holocaust survivors. In May 1948, the 12th grade was drafted into the IDF because of the escalation of the War of Independence.

During these years, the plot in Carmel was purchased and the plans for the new building of the school were prepared by the architect Prof. Yohanan Ratner and the cornerstone for the construction of the building was shot. With the construction of the first floor, the first classes moved to Carmel.

Fifties: Learning trends began - realistic, biological, literary and social and gradually all classrooms moved to Carmel.

 1960s: The economic trend opened and the laboratories for physics and chemistry opened.

 1970s: The school was integrated into the education reform program.

1980s and 1990s: The school passed into municipal ownership. It grew from one class of 29 students to an educational institution numbering about one thousand three hundred students, supervised by a staff of about 100 teachers.

During the Great Aliyah from the Soviet Union, the school absorbed hundreds of immigrant students of various ages.

Areas of study such as economics and administration were expanded and new ones were added, such as: studies in Israel, communication, art and theater.

The computers were integrated into the teaching.

Unique grades were added: Accelerated grade and Thirteenth grade for people with special needs.

Herzl Elementary School was added to the nourishing schools until then ("David Yellin" and "Ilanot").

 The school has been recognized by the Standards Institute as having a standard mark for quality and excellence.

2000s: A policy of educational continuity began that led the student from seventh grade to twelfth grade without dropout.

An educational program was launched - "education circles", based on the concept that every student can achieve higher achievements if he supports an optimal social and emotional environment. Thus, circles of about 15 students were built and at the top of each circle was an educator, who gave a personal answer to the students of his circle.

The school was a pioneer in "Israeli Journey" - a journey around the country, which combines different landscapes, presents and instills diverse values ​​and brings students together with different communities.

In April 2019, the school is relocating to a new site built for him in Ramat Hadar in front of the amazing view of Haifa Bay, where the "Circles" education complex is located.