History

1996 - A group of Arab activists and parents from Nazareth started a theoretical study and implemented field review of alternative schools and their methodology. Over a two year period, the group researched existing alternative schools in Israel, and alternative educational theories.

1998 - The group decided to establish the first alternative Palestinian school that offered a new social and educational vision.

1998 - On September 1st a private kindergarten was opened under the auspices of “Adan Centre for Education”.

1998 - The group of activists submitted a proposal in October to the Municipality of Nazareth for the establishment of a new elementary school. At the same time, they applied to the Ministry of Interior for Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) status.

1999 - Together with the Municipality of Nazareth, in March the fledgling organization submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Education for the establishment of a new alternative elementary school.

1999 – In September the Ministry of Education and the Nazareth Municipality approved the opening of a class of 18 students aged 5-6 years within Mai Ziadah Elementary school, which became the incubator for the first growing experimental class.

2000 - In February the group of individuals that began the Masar School presented a proposal to the Department of Experiments and Innovations in the Ministry of Education, which including the rationale, philosophy and methods, requesting for the project to be considered as the seed for an ‘experimental school’.
2000 - In March Masar Institute for Education was officially registered in the NGO register office, and became the first Palestinian Organization to focus its work on alternative education as a tool for social change.

2001 - Masar Institute starts its community outreach activities through organizing and facilitating the first regional conference about alternative education in Israel’s northern region with educators on the topic of alternative education.

2002 - Masar Institute open its doors to support other initiatives by providing consultation and expertise. The establishers of the democratic school in Zichron Yakov were the first to approach us for help and consultation, followed by Hiwar, NGO based in Haifa, who approached us for help and guidance in establishing an alternative school and for teacher training.

2005 - Masar launched its strategic approach for social change with help of Shatil experts (http://www.shatil.org.il/english/). Shatil is a social change organization and aims to strengthened social society and promote democracy, tolerance and social justice in Israel. The founders of Masar began a long collaborative process in order to develop our organizational mission.

2006 – After a proved success, with the support of the Nazareth Municipality, the Ministry of Education has approved Masar School as full independent alternative school and received a new building.

Since 2005 - Masar Institute continued to widen its scope of activities by generating new projects aimed at creating and researching innovative alternative curricula, teaching methods and capacity building programs. (See projects and key achievements) In addition, Masar Institute has created partnerships and collaborations with individuals, groups and institutions such as: Municipality of Nazareth; High Follow-Up Committee for Arab citizens of Israel; The Action Research Center for Social Justice at Max Stern Academic College of Emek Yezreel; Hofen Program for Open Education, David Yalin Teachers College; Orpheus, Non-profit organization for the advancement of multi-cultural music education; and others.

2010 - Masar widened its scope and collaboratively created sustainable strategic partnerships with international partners such as Anne Frank e.V.

2011 - In June the first 12th grade graduation at Masar School.

Masar Institute began to focus resources on the establishment of the first full alternative teacher education program for the Arab community in Israel.

2012 - Masar, as a leading civil society organization, began to get involved in national movements as well. We have joined many innovative national movements that aim to increase members’ impact on governmental decision making and accelerate processes of systemic change.