HOLON, Israel--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Darca Schools, a leader in providing equality in educational opportunities for Israel’s most underserved communities, today announced its 10th anniversary, successfully narrowing funding gaps and leveling the playing field for more than 24,000 Israeli students in 42 high schools. Data published by Israel’s Ministry of Education ranked Darca as the leading education network across the country, including an average university matriculation eligibility rate of 92%, an outstanding 40-percentage points higher than the national average.
With visionary leadership and oversight by Board Directors who oversee Darca with the same acumen committed to their respective global investment firms, Darca’s open-source model and business-oriented mindset is focused on providing the innovation and resources necessary to empower school leadership, incentivize teachers, and give students the tools to drive higher engagement, increase understanding, and deliver measurable outcomes.
“For ten years we have been focused on the belief that every child has the right to realize their potential for excellence, regardless of their socioeconomic background, their parents’ education, or other environmental factors,” said Dr. Gil Pereg, founding CEO of Darca Schools. “We are proud of the unprecedented results we have achieved, none of which would have been possible without the support of our philanthropic partners worldwide as well as the dedication and hard work of principals, teachers, students, and parents.”
Darca’s success serves as a unique model that can inspire reform in education systems across the world, ultimately driving the social mobility so fundamental for healthy societies in all corners of the globe.
“Darca represents an ambitious and innovative approach, implementing the same practices that guide sophisticated, long-term investment strategies, to reimagine how our schools can better serve students,” said Marc Rowan, co-founder and CEO of Apollo Global Management and vice chairman of Darca Schools. “At its core, Darca believes each student, regardless of their background, has the ability to thrive and make a difference in the world around them.”
“The Darca Network was founded on the belief that leaders matter and can be the catalyst for disruptive change,” said Jimmy Pinto, founder of the Israeli subsidiary of the Edmond de Rothschild banking group and Chairman of Darca Schools, “The growth and performance of Darca Schools over the past 10 years, and the achievement of Darca’s students, serves as a testament to that vision. I’m looking forward to helping the Darca Network expand its model to other underserved communities and help create the next generation of leaders.”
“The success of the Darca program to transform failing schools into dynamic academies in which students emerge with a love of learning and appreciation for what’s possible, can inspire change across the entire public sector,” said Danna Azrieli, Chairwoman of the Azrieli Group, Co-Chair of the Azrieli Foundation in Israel and board member of Darca Schools.
In just ten years, Darca has grown to manage an annual budget of $170 million and employ more than 3,000 expert professionals. It is committed to continue its annual growth rate of fifteen percent, and to expand its spheres of influence so as to accelerate educational excellence on an even wider, and global scale.
About Darca
Now in its 10th year, Darca Schools draws on its innovative and business-oriented management to transform challenge-ridden schools in Israel’s underserved communities into educational institutions of the highest quality. With a reach of more than 24,000 students from 42 schools under management, Darca’s measurable achievements prove that by narrowing funding gaps and expecting nothing less than excellence, change is possible across the entirety of education systems. With oversight by a highly regarded Board of Directors, Darca empowers school leadership, incentivizes teachers, and furnishes students with resources that spark their curiosity and instill a strong sense of self-belief, accelerating their path to success. For more information, please visit www.darca.org.il.
