How Israeli schools work

Draft — under review. Inaccuracies are possible; the Ministry of Education and your municipality are the official sources.

Stages

Elementary (יסודי) — grades 1–6.
Middle school (חטיבת ביניים, "chativa") — grades 7–9.
High school (חטיבה עליונה / תיכון, "tichon") — grades 10–12.
Many cities organise it differently: 6-year schools (7–12), 4-year schools (9–12), or elementary up to grade 8. Each school card shows its grades.

State (ממלכתי) — secular; most schools.
State-religious (ממלכתי-דתי, "mamad") — same curriculum plus religious studies; often separate classes for boys and girls.
Haredi (חרדי) — separate networks with their own curriculum; many are "recognised unofficial" (מוכר שאינו רשמי) or "exempt" (פטור).
Arab state — Ministry curriculum in Arabic.
Networks and private — networks (ORT, Amal, Amit and others) follow the Ministry curriculum; private and international schools may charge tuition.

Registration to state schools is run by the municipality where you live, usually online, in winter (roughly December–March) for the following school year.
Your school is set by the registration zone (אזור רישום) — your address or feeder elementary school; some cities use controlled choice (בחירה מבוקרת) — several schools ranked by preference.
Cross-regional schools and special programmes (arts, sciences, sports etc.) admit from the whole city by selection — exams, auditions, interviews — often with earlier deadlines.
After placement you can file an appeal (ערעור) within the set dates.
Studying in another city requires the municipality's approval.
Exact rules and dates for your city are in "Registration" and on the municipality's website.

From grade 10 (sometimes 11) students choose a major (מגמה) — a subject at an advanced level (e.g. biology, computer science, film, physics).
Pre-major (טרום מגמה) — orientation classes in grades 9–10.
The set of majors differs between schools; some are offered only in specific schools of the city.

Matriculation exams are taken mainly in grades 10–12.
Each subject is taken at a level measured in units (יחידות לימוד) from 1 to 5; 5 units is the highest level (important for universities, especially in math and English).
Bagrut eligibility (זכאות לבגרות) — met all certificate requirements (mandatory subjects and minimum units, including an advanced-level subject).
Bagrut with excellence (בגרות מצטיינת) — certificate with a high average and extra conditions.
School cards compare these with similar schools, the city and the country.

Special education (חינוך מיוחד) — special classes in regular schools and separate schools; placement through a committee (ועדת זכאות ואפיון) on the parents' application.
Gifted (מחוננים) — Ministry screening in elementary school; in high school programmes such as "Academia in high school" and gifted centres.

State education is free, but schools collect parent payments (תשלומי הורים) for trips, events and extra programmes, capped by the Ministry. Private schools charge tuition.