American School of Kuwait

The American School of Kuwait
Location
Kuwait
Information
Type Private
Established 1964
Faculty 157 full-time faculty 2009-2010 school year [1]
Grades K-12
Number of students 1,650
School color(s) Blue and Gold
Mascot Falcons
Telephone (+965) 2266-4341
Website http://www.ask.edu.kw

Founded in 1961, the American School of Kuwait (ASK) is a K-12 private school[2] institution which also includes a pre-school (referred to as the Child Development Center).

History

In 1963 a group of American parents began the process of forming a new international school. This new school's first term began in September 1964 in the Dasman Area of Sharq, Kuwait as the International School of Kuwait.

Twenty-four years later, in 1995, both ASK campuses, the Surra and Salwa campuses, moved again to a new campus in the Hawalli area, reuniting the elementary, middle, and high school students in one campus.[3]

Present day

Rebecca Ness is the current superintendent of the school. The principals of each of the schools are Tara Waudby (high school), Scott Denisson (middle school), and lan McFarland (elementary school).[4]

Curriculum

The curriculum is similar to that of U.S. general academic & college preparatory schools. Most graduates attend colleges and universities throughout the world, primarily in the U.S. The school’s testing programs include the SAT, PSAT, Plan, Explore, ACT and the MAPS. The language of instruction is English. Arabic, French, and Spanish are taught as foreign languages. Religious instruction is required for Muslims.

The elementary program, in which teachers are organized into grade-level teams, features specialists in science, art, computer studies, music, drama, physical education, Arabic and Islamic Studies. The middle school, which includes sixth through eighth grades, utilizes interdisciplinary teams and a curriculum based on a block schedule. The high school, which currently offers seventeen AP courses, is constantly re-evaluating its programs to better serve the needs and interests of students.

Athletics and extracurricular activities

ASK offers many clubs and organizations with activities from service projects to leadership opportunities and competitions. All students are encouraged to join and take active part in the club or activity of their choice and interest. Previously a member of the Eastern Mediterranean Activities Conference (EMAC), ASK is now a charter member of the Near East Schools Activities Conference (NESAC), and is also a member of the Kuwait Schools Activities Association (KSAA).[5]

The athletic programs offered at ASK in the fall include Soccer, Swimming, and Volleyball.[6] In the winter, Basketball is offered.[7] Track & Field, Badminton, and Softball are offered in the spring.[8]

ASK also offers a diverse choice of non-athletic extra-curricular activities as well. They include Academic Games, Model United Nations, Forensics and Debate, NESAC Band & Choir Festival, Oman Festival of Choirs, INJAZ (Junior Achievement), Sound and Lights Crew, Fall & Spring Drama Productions, National Honor Society, Student Council, and Sustainability Committee.[9] Both the National Thespian Society and Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society have branches at ASK.[10]

Uniform

The American School of Kuwait has adopted a fixed dress code for all students.[11] All students must wear the official ASK uniform, which is available for purchase at the ASK Store.[12] The uniform includes a standard pair of navy pants for students in all schools and a school-specific polo shirt in different colors (light blue for elementary students, grey for middle school students, and dark blue for high school students).[13]

Footnotes

  1. ↑ http://www.state.gov/m/a/os/1505.htm
  2. ↑ http://www.ask.edu.kw/ASK/Web%20Docs/admissions/ASK%202012%20-%202013%20Fees.pdf
  3. ↑ http://www.ask.edu.kw/ASK/about_us.html
  4. ↑ http://www.ask.edu.kw/ASK/index.html
  5. ↑ http://www.ask.edu.kw
  6. ↑ http://www.ask.edu.kw
  7. ↑ http://www.ask.edu.kw
  8. ↑ http://www.ask.edu.kw
  9. ↑ http://www.ask.edu.kw
  10. ↑ http://www.ask.edu.kw
  11. ↑ http://www.ask.edu.kw
  12. ↑ http://www.ask.edu.kw
  13. ↑ http://www.ask.edu.kw

See also

External links