Evangelical Lutheran School

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.

Currently, the school enrolls 439 students: 80% are Christian, 20% are Muslim; 55% are boys and 45% are girls. As in all the schools of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL), 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, with both Christian and Muslim students attending.