American School of Dubai
| The American School of Dubai | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | |
 | |
Dubai The United Arab Emirates | |
| Information | |
| Type | Private |
| Established | 1966 |
| Locale | Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
| Superintendent | Brent Mutsch |
| Faculty | 290 |
| Number of students | 1630 |
| Color(s) | Red and white |
| Athletics | Volleyball, Basketball, Soccer, Badminton, Track and Field, Cross Country, Swimming, Softball, Baseball, Kayaking, Golf, Wrestling, and Tennis. Other intramural sports also present. |
| Mascot | ASD Falcons |
| Website | http://www.asdubai.org/ |
The American School of Dubai (ASD, Template:Lang-ar), previously known as the Jumeirah American School, is located in the Al-Barsha community of Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
An independent not for profit community school, ASD was founded in 1966 to serve the needs of North American families and other expatriate populations in Dubai. It was the first American curriculum school established in Dubai and is still the only nonprofit American school located in the emirate.
ASD follows an American curriculum and offers pre-K (K1) through grade 12 instruction. The school is accredited by the US Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Admission to the school is based on the approval of ASD's Admissions Committee and a student successfully meeting the admission criteria, including assessments in varying forms depending on grade level.
International academic reputation
The American School of Dubai has a strong reputation for excellence in its academic programs and extracurricular activities. It was reviewed by the Good Schools Guide International as "One of the best thought-of and long established schools in Dubai".[1]
Curriculum
The school is organized into three divisions: elementary school (K1-grade 5); middle school (grades 6-8); and high school (grades 9-12). The elementary school curriculum includes math, science, language arts, social studies, Arabic language, computer, art, library, music, and physical education. The middle school years are viewed as a transition from the elementary school to the high school. Students take the basic core classes and, in grades 7-8, can also choose from a variety of electives, including, but not limited to, independent reading, journalism, or adventure education. Students attend classes five days a week, Sunday through Thursday. The school day for students in pre-K (K1) begins at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 1:45 p.m. Students grades K2-12 attend from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
At the high school level, students must complete at least 24 course credits in order to graduate. Students are required to enroll in a minimum of four core academic courses each year (math, science, social studies, English, and/or world languages). Advanced Placement (AP) courses are available to juniors and seniors over a variety of subjects. AP courses are first year college level courses. Students enrolled in the courses sit for external exams. The results of these exams could earn students credit at the university level.
KHDA Inspection Report
The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) is an educational quality assurance authority based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It undertakes early learning, school, and higher learning institution management and rates them as well.
A summary of the inspection ratings for American School of Dubai.
| School Name | 2010-2011 | 2009-2010 | 2008-2009 | Curriculum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American School of Dubai | Good | Good | Good | US |
A summary of all the schools in Dubai's ratings can be found at KHDA School Ratings.
Campus
In September 2010, after more than 40 years in Jumeirah, the American School of Dubai moved to its new location in Al Barsha. Covering an area almost twice the size of the Jumeirah campus, the new campus offers expanded academic programs; modern, energy efficient buildings; state-of-the art facilities for sports and the arts; and beautifully landscaped garden areas. The Al Barsha campus site is over 92,900 square meters (1,000,000 square feet). The total gross internal floor area is 48,178 meters (518,583 square feet). In comparison, the Jumeirah campus site measured 31,424 square meters (338,240 square feet).
Facilities
The school has a wireless environment, secondary school and elementary school libraries, its own 600 person capacity auditorium, a black box theater, music rooms, meeting spaces, a field house, running tracks, a regulation soccer field, other large playing fields, separate elementary and secondary gyms, two swimming pools, elementary play areas, two cafeterias, and landscaped areas with water features.
Technology
Technology is integrated throughout the American School of Dubai curriculum through the use of computers located in full-size labs, portable laptop labs, mini-labs, all ASD classrooms, as well as the elementary and middle and high school libraries. Computer instruction is offered at every grade level. Labs are available for class work or independent projects.
Students
Approximately 973 students attended the American School of Dubai, Jumeirah. Current enrollment at the Al Barsha campus is approximately 1630. 60% of students come from the United States, 15% from Canada, with the remaining 25% coming from 60 different nationalities. The campus is divided into four separate school sites of approximately 400 students each: early primary, upper primary, middle school, and high school.
ASD students typically go on to attend university or college in the United States, Canada, the Middle East, Europe, Korea, and Australia.
All students are required to wear ASD regulation school uniforms.
Athletics and extracurricular activities
The American School Parents "Sports" Activities Program sponsors athletic and other activities for students in grades K1-3. At least twice a week, throughout most of the school year, sports activities such as flag football, rollerblading, soccer, and many other sports are available to the students. Additional activities include ballet and dance, scouting programs, chorus, drama, swimming, tennis, sailing, golf, computer club, and an environmental club. Social, service, and academic-related clubs and activities are organized for middle and high school students. Clubs include Kids For Wish Kids, Room to Read, the Global Issues Network (GIN), Medecins sans Frontieres (MSF), Habitat For Humanity, Global Awareness Inner Awakening, a Student Government Association, Thespian Society, the International Student Association, and Mettle. ASD supports strong vocal, instrumental, and drama programs. High school students perform two major productions each year. The Middle School stages one-act plays as well as variety shows.
The school also offers intramural programs as well as varsity and junior varsity sports, including volleyball, soccer, golf, basketball, softball, track and field, badminton, performing arts, forensics, swimming, wrestling, cross-country, and tennis. ASD is a member of the Middle East South Asia Conference (MESAC) and ASD students in grades 7-12 travel to other countries in the region to participate in MESAC sports as well as MESAC debate & forensics. Students also travel regionally to take part in fine arts festivals, the Model United Nations, Habitat for Humanity, GIN, and forensics competitions. Students are able to tour most cities and historical sites when traveling to tournaments and festivals. These events also allow students to develop friendships with students in other international schools.
Famous speakers and visitors
Famous guest speakers who have visited the school include U.S. Presidents Jimmy Carter and George H. W. Bush, astronaut Buzz Aldrin, North Carolina Senator and 2004 Democratic Nominee for Vice-President John Edwards, anthropologist Jane Goodall, singer Pearl Bailey in 1979, the Harlem Globetrotters, and former New York Yankees manager Joe Torre.
Notable alumni
- Erick Erickson, American Republican TV contributor
See also
References
External links
- American School of Dubai
- Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
- Schools in Dubai - comprehensive list of private schools in Dubai