The Evangelical Lutheran School of Beit Sahour
The Evangelical Lutheran school of Beit Sahour
Confidence. Responsibility. Excellence. Ambition. Aspiration.
Students at the Evangelical Lutheran School of Beit Sahour (ELS) learn to embody each of these qualities every day through their classes, activities, and daily devotions. ELS was founded to develop students spiritually, psychologically, and academically. ELS aims to serve all students equally, regardless of gender, religion, ethnicity, or ability to pay school fees. Above all, ELS seeks to offer students positive models for coexistence between students of different religious backgrounds. Each school day begins with morning devotions in the chapel, attended by all students, Christian and Muslim.
Students undergo a rigorous academic curriculum, from teachers who take special care to follow up with individual students to ensure students are not left behind. Their academic curriculum is supplemented with a wide variety of activities, including sports, music, interfaith dialogue, career preparation, robotics club, model U.N., leadership group, Arabic handwriting, craft, and the environmental club.
The school also works diligently to build bridges of communication and understanding with both local and international communities. The Evangelical Lutheran School in Beit Sahour invites relationships with schools as far as Germany, Finland, and England. Through these relationships, students broaden their horizons, present their community and country to others, and strengthen their language and computer skills.
ELS also places emphasis on the preservation of Palestinian culture in its curriculum. Interested students can join the dabke, or traditional Palestinian dance, team, which performs at local events, Palestinian craft, or the ELS choir, which frequently sings cultural Palestinian songs. The school believes a connection to one’s culture is an important aspect of a learning environment, and students
The Evangelical Lutheran School in Beit Sahour is dedicated to a holistic approach to development, the creation of self-confidence, and the creation of responsible citizens capable of adapting to continuous change.
Mission
ELS is designed to create a dependable, well-rounded, and thoughtful next generation that values cooperation and community. We offer a diverse array of activities that engage our students’ outside interests and passions, providing space for them to explore a future of many possibilities.
Special Activities
The Evangelical Lutheran School in Beit Sahour nurtures students’ creative gifts and pride in their culture through folkloric dance and music, known as “Dabkeh,” scout troops, and many other activities in the holistic school curriculum. The school’s choir and dance group perform both locally and abroad.
Another unique feature of ELS is its vocational education program, in which boys and girls can learn the arts and crafts of Palestinian culture including carpentry, metalwork, ceramics, candle making, painting, drawing, beads, olive wood carving, household management and embroidery. This special emphasis preserves Palestinian heritage and prepares for the community’s future. ELS also encourages the preservation of traditional music and dance “.
History
Founded in 1901 through partnership with local church members and German missionaries, the Evangelical Lutheran School (ELS) in Beit Sahour is the second longest-running school in Beit Sahour.
Since its birth, ELS has served both Christian and Muslim students, boys and girls together, reflecting the make-up of the community and modeling positive coexistence between students of different backgrounds.
Quick Facts
Students: 460
Gender: 57% boys, 43% girls
Religion: 68.6% Christian, 32.4% Muslim
Teachers and Staff: 44
Meet Our Principal
Mrs. Georgette Hazboun Rabadi, Principal of the Evangelical Lutheran School in Beit Sahour, has held her current position since 2016 after working as a Development and Liaison Officer for the ELCJHL Educational Ministries. She began her professional life as an administrator at Bethlehem University. Through the varied positions she held, she integrated her skills and experiences in teaching, training, engagement, research, planning, curriculum development, and institutional assessment. She currently has more than 31 years of professional experience in differing areas.
Her main goals since taking the position of Principal have been developing plans for the future, creating teams, and connecting with the community. She believes in empowering students and families in the region, regardless of economic, religious, or social background. “As each person was born free with dignity, so we must accept each other’s gifts, talents, and weaknesses,” she says of her educational philosophy. Ms. Georgette also believes in educating children and young people about global issues, connecting them with their peers both locally and internationally and inspiring them to make a difference in the world. “Our aim is to foster a generation of global citizens who make positive contributions to society, show tolerance and care towards others, and who are equipped with key life skills.”