While there are numerous institutions in Israel for high-risk teens, Ulpanat Dolev, founded in 1988, is the only school that integrates its students with the local community. For the duration of their high school years, students on a weekly basis are hosted in the homes of Dolev families, where they experience a nurturing environment and role models for positive parenting.
Today the student body of the Ulpana, native Israelis and new immigrants alike, numbers 90 students. The professional staff - clinical director, social workers, house mother, dormitory councelors, National Service counselors, even the administrative- accompany the girls along each step of the way in all spheres- emotional, behavioral, academic, etc.- towards a better future.
The students of Ulpanat Dolev originate from all over Israel from Eilat in the South to Kiryat Shmona in the North. This past year 15% were from Ethiopian immigrant families. 15% originate from Ashkenazi families (of European and English-speaking countries) and 70% from Sephardic (from Arabic-speaking countries).
These students are predominately from dysfunctional families and bring with them a personal and emotional burden for a teenager to carry on her small shoulders. Besides a low self-esteem often due to physical, sexual and emotional abuse, they also suffer from lengthy gaps in their studies. Some girls are from well-established families but have learning disabilities and need small classes in which to learn successfully.
In spite of these hurdles they must overcome, 50% of graduates do finish matriculations by the end of their high school term and the remaining 50% finish matriculations within one year after graduation
13 graduates are presently serving in Sherut Leumi educational projects- tutoring, teaching assistants in the Binyamin area and live in the Graduates’ House at Dolev.(see “Graduates House”)