Chinuch

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Streams & Educational Networks

There are several frameworks within which Chareidi educational institutions operate.

Boys

Preschool

The last year before first grade is commonly called mechinah [preparatory program], as it prepares the children for cheider (not to be confused with mechinah for yeshivah ketanah).

Cheider

Chareidi elementary schools for boys are referred to as Talmud Torah (the more formal usage, usually part of the title) or cheider. They include first through eighth grades. Most chadorim also maintain a preschool for the two or three preceding grade levels.

Eighth grade is sometimes referred to as mechinah [preparatory program], as it prepares the talmidim for yeshivah ketanah, and in many cases has an entirely different schedule than the rest of the school.

Mechinah

There is an optional stand-alone year-long program, usually not connected to any specific school, for preparing children for yeshivah ketanah. While most talmidim advance directly from cheider to yeshivah ketanah, there are many who opt for a year of mechinah, either instead of or following eighth grade.

Yeshivah Ketanah

Chareidi boys high school is called yeshivah ketanah (what in America is sometimes called mesivta, which is not used here). It is a three year program, with each year called a "shiur," named shiur aleph, shiur beis, and shiur gimmel respectively, corresponding to ninth through eleventh grades.

In most cases it is not a natural continuation of any specific cheider. It is generally considered the job of the cheider, and specifically the eighth-grade rebbi, to direct and help with placement of their talmidim in yeshivos ketanos.

Yeshivah Gedolah

Israeli yeshivos gedolos have a unique culture very different from the American counterpart.