International Schools Group (formerly SAIS) is licensed by the Ministry of Education as a “non-profit” school district organized within the Kingdom and governed by a Board of Trustees. Campuses are located throughout the Kingdom, including Baqaiq (Abqaiq), Jubail, Yanbu, Dammam (Rahima), and the main campus in Dhahran, adjacent to the American Consulate.
Within this district there are three divisions, representing three differing curriculums. There is the American Division (Dhahran Elementary – Middle School, Dhahran High School, and Yanbu International School. ISG Jubail operates under an “international” curriculum that is a combination of British and American curricular outcomes) implementing a full American curriculum program. The International Division (ISG Baqaiq and ISG Dammam) teaches a modified American curriculum with international teachers. The British Division (Dhahran British Grammar School) has qualified teachers using the National curriculum of England and Wales.
All ISG schools are accredited by either Middle States Association or OFSTED.
Dhahran Academy (DEMS now) was founded in 1962 as a school for Consulate employees, and is now one of three schools located adjacent to the American Consulate. 300+ students and 50 staff members work, learn, and play together in a diverse community of over 25 nationalities. With an uncompromising commitment to excellence, the mission of our qualified staff, dedicated parents and community is to ensure optimal student learning and success.
Complimenting our excellent educational program for expatriate students from Kindergarten through Grade Eight, we also feature an outstanding Pre-School program for children aged three through five.
Our continually updated curricular areas are designed with learner outcomes as our focus and excellent text materials that are used as primary sources of information. Teachers have multiple supplementary resources available to help them effectively address the outcomes, including internet research and our outstanding library.
On-going student assessment, including pre and post-testing, assist teachers in evaluating student progress. Six Traits of Writing is our school-wide writing assessment tool. Effective materials such as Everyday Math (UCSMP) and FOSS Science emphasize problem solving and a “hands-on” learning environment that simulates and enhances an inquiry approach. We want all students to understand the concepts behind science and math so that they will gain an appreciation of their use in everyday life.
Professional development of our teaching staff is important, and is one of our areas of emphasis at DEMS. Through a combination of on-campus workshops and inservice opportunities, and attendance at teacher conferences such as “Teachers Of Young Children,” “The Arabian Reading Association,” “NESA, Fall Training Institute,” and “Near East – South Asia” Teacher’s Conference, our teachers gain significant knowledge and remain current in educational practice. This emphasis results in improved student learning.
Elementary specialists include Art, Physical Education, Technology, General Music, Arabic, Library Skills, and Beginning Band (5th). In Middle School, students may select Band, Drama, French, Arabic, Spanish, Media and Technology, or Design Technology. Other electives are developed based on the expertise and experience of our middle school faculty.
English-as-an-Additional Language: EAL classes are designed to support students who have little or no English language skills when they enter DEMS. Students are expected to progress through and exit the program as soon as possible in to the mainstream classroom environment with basic English skills. A trained teacher directs the program.
S. T. A. R.: Students Transitioning to Academic Readiness are students who are accepted on a case-by-case basis and have a mild to moderate special need in two or more core subjects. Well-defined criteria are established and applications are accepted based on availability of space in the program. Students in grades KG through Grade 8 are accepted starting in the 2006-2007 school year. Please contact the DEMS office for further information.
Counselor: DEMS employs a full-time trained counselor who screens new students and assists continuing students with academic and social issues.
School Nurse: The Dhahran campus schools employ two nurses who are trained to deal with physical issues that commonly occur in a school environment, including health screening.
Teacher Assistants: Our STAR Program, Pre-School, and elementary classrooms have teacher assistants assigned to them. Assistants not only do playground duty, but also help the teacher with tasks that allow the teacher to concentrate more time on assisting students.
Dhahran Middle School operates a separate educational program for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders based on research and best practices for those students “in the middle.” These middle years are critically important and the school creates small learning communities which emphasize stable, challenging, and mutually respectful relationships.
Some of the ways we’ve integrated key practices for effective middle schools into our school are by:
Block scheduling which allows time for concept development within the class setting and for varying methods of curriculum delivery: lecture, group work, practice, enrichment, process discovery, and independent study.
A middle school climate which includes weekly Tadamon (Arabic word for community/oneness); advisory; R & R (daily break and time for socializing); and a personalized environment which supports each student’s needs and the needs of this age group.
High academic standards within an integrated learning framework.
Learning which is socially relevant and real to adolescent’s personal interests.
Curricular and co-curricular activities which are age appropriate.
Active support and involvement of our parent community.
Interdisciplinary teaching teams and ongoing staff development.
Our extensive after school activities program offers additional opportunities for students in recreational athletics, common interest clubs, and arts and crafts. Staff and parents are encouraged to sponsor activities after school, between 2:30 and 3:30. A few examples of activities include Duathalon, volleyball, street hockey, art attack, and climbing.
Students have many opportunities to develop leadership qualities through the Student Council (grades 5-8) and National Junior Honor Society (grades 7 & 8).
Community Involvement
Parents are encouraged to be involved in our school! Opportunities are available as a general volunteer, as a “Room Mom,” and as a member of the Parent-Teacher Group. The PTG sponsors events for the school such as “Hotdog Day,” “Walk-A-Thon,” Dads & Donuts,” “Moms & Muffins,” and "International Day.” The PTG meets the first Monday of each month. Please call the school office to find out more information about these opportunities for service.
Community Service
Our school emphasizes community service! We annually contribute to the Qatif Charitable Society Orphans Committee to help purchase clothing and food for poor Saudi families in the Qatif area. We also encourage classes to develop their own areas for service. Every student study trip includes a community service component. We truly believe that “learning extends beyond the classroom!”