American International School – Riyadh
| American International School – Riyadh | |
|---|---|
|
Logo[1] | |
| Location | |
| Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | |
| Information | |
| Type | Private |
| Established | 1963 |
| Superintendent | Dr. Brian Matthews |
| Faculty | 110 |
| Number of students | Over 1,522 |
| Website |
www |
The American International School – Riyadh (AIS-R) (previously known as RICS and SAIS-R[2]) is a private, non-profit, competitive, coeducational day school following an American-based curriculum. The IB Diploma Program is also offered. The school was established in 1963, and is located in the country's capital, Riyadh. For many years, it offered only grades K through 9; today it offers education through grade 12.
History
The school that is known today as the American International School – Riyadh (AIS-R) has a well established history in Riyadh. It was first formed by parents in 1963 and served students from kindergarten through third grade with only seven students enrolled. In 1977, after several moves to accommodate increasing enrollment, the school opened on its next site. In 1982, the school name was changed to the Saudi Arabian International School - Riyadh (SAIS-R). The school has grown since its inception with a peak enrollment of 2,775 students occurring in the 1984/1985 school year. In the 2011-2012 academic year, the student count was at 1,235 students.[3] With the growth in enrollment came the expansion of curriculum, services, programs and grade levels. The school name was once again changed to its present name of AIS-R in 1999.[4] In 2014 AIS-R welcomed the students to its new state-of-the-art campus in the northern region of Riyadh. The campus was built in cooperation with Al Bustan Village (a 1200 unit western - residential compound).
Curriculum
AIS-R is licensed by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Education and accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. The school year begins in late August and continues through early June. A minimum of 25 credits including 12.5 hours of community service for each year at AIS-R are required for graduation.
AIS-R provides a college-preparatory educational program in the English language and offers both the U.S. High School Diploma and, since March 2000, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (DP) in grades 11 and 12 as well. Students take International Baccalaureate DP external examinations in individual subjects. In this case, the student would be awarded an IB certificate recording the level of achievement in that particular Diploma Program subject. AIS-R’s school year consists of two semesters beginning in early September and ending in early June. Students enroll in a maximum of eight courses using a 4 X 4 block alternating Day 1/Day 2 schedule and all classes are 85 minutes in length. One-half credit is awarded for the successful completion of each semester course with a passing mark of D-. Graduation requirements include a minimum of 25 credits including 12.5 hours of community service for each year at AIS-R. Higher Level and Standard Level IB Diploma Program courses include: English Literature A, Arabic B, French B, Spanish B, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Visual Arts, Theater, History, Economics and Business and Management. Math Studies and Environmental Systems and Societies are offered at the SL level only. 100% of AIS-R teachers are licensed and certified to instruct in all U.S. Diploma courses and International Baccalaureate DP courses.
Facilities
The school includes an Elementary building, Middle and High School buildings, a gymnasium, an auditorium/theater, a track field, two Learning Commons, two computer labs, two cafeterias, three STEM labs, and fifteen portable labs.
The HS/MS and Elementary Learning Commons are closed for faculty meetings after school on Tuesday.
AIS-R has two Dining Halls on campus. One is shared by the High School and the Middle School. The other is dedicated to the Elementary School. The High School/Middle School Dining Hall sells hot meals, sandwiches and salads each day.
Faculty
The teaching staff consists mostly of North American certified teachers who are recruited internationally or who live in the expatriate community of Riyadh. 43% of the faculty are U.S. citizens, 27% are Canadian citizens, 1% are Saudi citizens, and the remaining 29% are from other countries.
Students
AIS-R currently has an enrollment of 1522 students, and serves students from over 50 different nationalities.[5] 99% of AIS-R graduates attend 4 year university programs. The high school comprises 461 of the 1522 students. Fifty-two different nationalities make up the student body of expatriate and host country national students. American citizens account for approximately 30% of the student population. Saudi students account for approximately 14% of the population, while Canadian citizens make up about 11% of the population.
Extracurricular Activities
An active co-curricular program complements the high school curriculum and includes Student Council, Model United Nations, National Honor Society, Drama, Musical and Fine Art productions. Varsity and Junior Varsity teams include Volleyball, Soccer, Basketball, Track and Field, Tennis, Cricket, Badminton, Softball and Cross Country. AIS-R competes in the International Schools Sports League of Riyadh (ISSLR); the Saudi Arabian Intra-Kingdom Activities Conference (SAIKAC); and internationally in both the Near East Schools Activities Conference (NESAC) and the International Schools Athletic Conference (ISAC).
In addition, there are many after-school clubs students can join. Some of these clubs include the Ambassador's Club, the Arabic Club, the Aspiring Doctors Club, the Business Club, the Inter-Tech Club, Literary Magazine, and The MAD Collective.
