What should parents and families know about King Abdullah International Schools ?

Our schools have been specifically designed for an international student body.  We’ve chosen a curriculum that is not only well suited to international students, but also widely accepted around the world.  That means that when students leave, they’ll be ready for whatever step they want to take next, anywhere in the world.

What are students at KAUST Schools learning?

Our programs are designed to provide students with a solid foundation for a lifetime of learning and achievement.

The core curriculum for grades K – 12 is based on exceptional, internationally recognized materials and teaching approaches.  It includes all the fundamentals – like math, languages, science, and social studies – as well as a focus on the process of learning.  We won’t just be teaching students core subjects; we’ll be teaching them how to learn.  And that’s a skill they’ll use for the rest of their lives.

How does the KAUST School system compare to other international schools?

We are privileged to offer something that I think is very unique: it is located on the campus of a leading research university.  So the learning environment is one that is incredibly rich in both resources and opportunities.

International schools are wonderful environments where students are exposed to multitude of cultures, customs, and ideas. That will be a key part of the KAUST Schools experience.  At the same time, our focus is on maintaining high academic standards and focus on the development of the whole child.

What kinds of teachers and administrators do we have? 

We want to help students develop in a holistic, balanced way.  So we’ve looked for teachers that can understand the needs of their students on all levels – cognitive, social, and emotional. 

Our teachers are experienced professionals who really know their content areas and have a solid grasp of pedagogical best practices.  They also are flexible, collaborative innovators who are enthusiastic about their work and about their students.

As far as administrators go, we looked for visionaries who will be able to lead the schools into the future and capitalize on all the opportunities that being part of the KAUST community offers.

What is your primary goal for the system?

From our internationally recognized curriculum to our suite of co-curricular activities, we are striving to give students a rich and full learning experience.  By encouraging them to become engaged, self-directed learners, we want to help them develop into well-adjusted, productive members of society.  In doing so, our vision is to become a model for education around the world.

What kinds of educational opportunities will students find outside the classroom?

Our co-curricular program is designed to provide students will all kinds of opportunities to pursue their interests, develop new skills, and strengthen friendships.  The schools themselves have media labs, language labs, art and music rooms, and gym facilities.  We’re thrilled to have these kinds of resources.

As members of the broader KAUST community, students will also have access to a host of facilities and opportunities including racquet clubs, a marina, a sailing club, and many sport, fitness, and community services.

What about this opportunity excites you most on a personal level?

The whole KAUST project is visionary.  The schools support the University’s overall mission, and are an important part of the foundation for family and community life on campus.  It’s wonderful to be a part of that.

It’s not often that a school starts like this.  For me, it’s been very exciting to have the opportunity to help shape the schools program so early in the process.  And I’m really enthusiastic about the wealth of resources that we’ve been able to put into developing the schools in a way that will really meet the needs of students and families.

For more information about schools at KAUST, please contact us.