About the project
The Jerusalem Experimental High School was established in 1971 by immigrants from the US and UK to create a democratic, student-centered learning environment. The school sought to explore progressive teaching methods in an open learning framework that did not yet exist in the Israeli public school system. The Jerusalem Foundation began its involvement with the school in 1972 by supporting renovation of an abandoned house in Lifta to become the school’s first permanent facility. Following the school’s relocation to a larger school complex in the City Center (it began with 25 students and in 1995 had 300), the Foundation supported building improvements, maintenance and the purchase of books and materials. In 1995, it created the Eli & Bessie Cohen Computer Laboratory, which it has regularly upgraded.
