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American School of The Hague

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The American School of the Hague
File:Ash logo.jpg
Location
Map
Wassenaar
,
South Holland

the Netherlands
Information
TypePrivate International School
MottoCritical Inquiry, Creative Thinking, Clear Communication, Commitment to Others
Established1953
SuperintendentRick Spradling
Facultyapprox. 150
Gradespre-k through 12
Number of studentsapprox. 1020
AthleticsBaseball, Basketball, Cross-country, Swimming, Softball, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball
MascotTrojans
ArtsTheater, Photography, Visual arts, music
Websitehttp://ash.nl

The American School of the Hague (ASH) is an American school in Wassenaar, the Netherlands, located on the Rijksstraatweg. Children can go to the school for 13 years, from kindergarten to 12th grade. However, many students come and go because it is a very international school. It is one of the four international focus schools in the area, others are the International School of The Hague, The French School in the Hague and the British School in the Netherlands in Voorschoten. It is one of three high schools in the area. There are many other elementary and middle schools in the area.

Overview

ASH was founded in 1953. Its purpose was to provide an American style education to children of international cooperation or the Government employees[1]. The board of trustees has eleven members who are elected by the parents. The school is accredited by the Middle School Association and by the European Council of International Schools[2]. The school has three divisions, elementary school, middle school and high school.[3]. In 1989 a new campus was build, next to the Rijksstraatweg in Wassenaar which was opened by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and First Lady Barbara Bush.[4]

Elementary school

Most classes in elementary school are self contained. However, the arts, Dutch, computer, library and PE are taught by specialists. Field trips are regular and are linked back to the curriculum[5]. More than 60 teachers work in the elementary school. The current elementary school principal is Tim Messick.

There is an art program called Art Masterpiece sponsored by the Parent Teacher Association (PTA). The program allows students to make connections between great works and their personal lives.[6]. Parents introduce the students to pieces of art from different time periods and different media. The students are expected to think about what they see, about techniques and they should form opinions[7].

The elementary wing is located at the North East side of the school, closest to the parking lot of the school, on the others side of the Rijksstraatweg. It has its own atrium, cafeteria, library, playgrounds, gym, music and performance suites and technology labs.[8].

Middle school

Grades 5 through 8 are seen as middle school[9]. The middle school has its own library, yet shares the theater and other parts of the arts department with the high school. The middle school has two wings, one located South West, opposite of the central high school library and one next to the high school library (North).[10] The current middle school principal is Mary Russman.

Students in middle school can chose, besides the curriculum, out of a variety of extra-curricular activities. There is an art club, chess club, crafts and sewing club, the drama club who do a play in November, odyssey of the mind for people with lots of imagination, Boys Sing Too where boys sing at a festival in October, there is an Honor Band, Honor Choir, a spring musical, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.

High school

The High School has about 400 students. The wing is located between the two middle school wings (North West). The current interim high school principal is John Kruk, who came to ASH for one year from the American International School of Vienna.[11].

Curriculum

In order for students to receive a high school diploma at the end of year 12 they have to have a certain number of credits. Each credit counts for a year. The following credits are required: Four English credits 1 credit human understanding (Ex. philosophy) three credits social studies three credits in Mathematics three credits in Science* two credits in modern language** One IT credit Two credits in the Art Department 1.5 P.E. credits Half a credit of health class 3 credits in other electives, meaning anything that does not fit in the previous categories or any credit that is too much. Students can chose American High school classes, AP or IB

  • At least three different types of science
    • Level III must be reached in order to complete

IB and AP

Students can chose to do the International Baccalaureate program, Advanced Placement, regular high school or a mix between any of the three, the only requirement is that the credits must be completed.[12]

The following AP subjects can be chosen:

Biology, Chemistry, Economics Micro/Macro, English Literature, French Language, German Language, Human Geography, Math (AB), Math (BC), Music Theory, Physics (B), Spanish Language, United States History,

The following IB subjects can be chosen:

20th History SL, Art SL/HL Biology SL/HL, Chemistry HL, Dutch A2 SL/HL, Dutch B SL/HL, Computer Science SL, Economics SL/HL, European History HL, English A1 SL/HL, English A2 SL/HL, Environmental Systems SL, French B SL/HL, German A2 HL, German B SL/HL, German AB initio, Information Technology in a Global Society (on year course) SL, Math SL/HL, Math Studies SL, Music SL/HL Psychology SL/HL, Spanish B SL/HL, Spanish AB initio, Theatre Arts SL/HL

Note: other languages can be taken as a tutorial depending on availability. All IB full IB diploma program students also take a two year course of TOK and CAS

Extra-curricular

Sport

ASH offers a variety of sports, most at Varsity and Junior Varsity. The following sports are offered at ASH: Baseball, Basketball, Cross-country, Swimming, Softball, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball[13]. At varsity level students participate in the International Schools Sports Tournament. This means that teams play teams from Paris, London, Brussels, Frankfurt, Munich and other places.[14]

Model United Nations

ASH has participated The Hague International Model United Nations (THIMUN) for almost 40 years. It brings more than 3000 students together from 125 school during the last week in January. Students from ASH can become delegation members or administrative staff or officer.[15]

National Honor Society

This is an exclusive group for students who are selected based on their service, character, leadership and scholarship. The student participate in projects at the school.[16]

Other activities

The newspaper (ASH T.R.A.S.H, or Today's Realities And Student Happenings).[17] Peer Support Program. Peer Support Trainees help their peers and facilitate discussion groups and learn to help Kindergarten through grade 12 students in advisory on various subjects.[18] Students can chose to become a student ambassador, taking on the responsibility of welcoming new students. The Student Senate is the place to help your classmates enjoy their school year by organising dances but also fighting for better lunch service.[19]

Performing Arts

Students can audition for the dance team in September.[20] Every year, in December the High school musical takes place. In the past musicals like Blood Brothers (2007), Children of Eden (2006), Into the Woods (2005) and Les Misérables (2004). Auditions are necessary[21]. In Spring there is High school play.[22] There is a choir and band that students can join. [23] Lastly, students can choose to participate in the Speech and Debate Tournaments where students from various International School meet to debate.[24]

Admissions

Students can be excepted to ASH if the program suits the applicants need. When the applicant reached ages 12, knowledge of Academic English is required. Children entering K-1 must turn four before 1 October of that year. Race, nationality or creed are not part of criteria. Class and grade level assignment is determined by looking at past records [25].

References

  1. ^ http://ash.nl/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=63&Itemid=127
  2. ^ http://ash.nl/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=63&Itemid=127
  3. ^ http://ash.nl/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=62&Itemid=126
  4. ^ Sign in the school
  5. ^ http://ash.nl/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=100&Itemid=256
  6. ^ http://ash.nl/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=100&Itemid=256
  7. ^ http://ash.nl/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=100&Itemid=256
  8. ^ http://ash.nl/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=100&Itemid=256
  9. ^ http://ash.nl/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=67&Itemid=131
  10. ^ Personal experience
  11. ^ http://ash.nl/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=99&Itemid=410
  12. ^ http://www.ash.nl/schoolhigh/index.htm (from the drop down menu select course selection guide
  13. ^ High School Student Handbook pg 38
  14. ^ High School Student Handbook pg 38
  15. ^ IHigh School Student Handbook pg 39
  16. ^ High School Student Handbook pg 40
  17. ^ High School Student Handbook pg 40
  18. ^ High School Student Handbook pg 40
  19. ^ High School Student Handbook pg 43
  20. ^ High School Student Handbook pg 40
  21. ^ High School Student Handbook pg 41
  22. ^ High School Student Handbook pg 41
  23. ^ High School Student Handbook pg 41
  24. ^ High School Student Handbook pg 42
  25. ^ http://ash.nl/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=84&Itemid=150
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