International Schools Group (ISG), formerly Saudi Arabian International Schools (SAIS), operates five individual schools in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: American School Dhahran (ASD), British School Dhahran (BSD), ISG Dammam, ISG Jubail, and Sara Village School (SVS). Two schools offer the National Curriculum of England and Wales (British School Dhahran and Sara Village School), while the others offer an American curriculum.
Guided by our district Mission, Belief Statements and Graduate Profile, ISG schools are student-centered. Our shared focus is further complemented by the diversity of our community and core divisional curricula as we work in partnership with the community to educate tomorrow's future leaders.
Our programs accommodate every level of elementary and secondary education beginning with Pre-Reception or Pre-KG and culminating in full secondary and Key Stage Four programmes.
All five ISG schools are fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and are members of the Council of International Schools. Additionally, British School Dhahran and Sara Village School are accredited by British Schools Overseas. These accreditations are accepted and recognized throughout the world. ISG Jubail and American School Dhahran are both authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. As a whole, student SAT10 standardized test scores average well above the US national norm. British School Dhahran offers the National Curriculum of England and Wales. "End of Key Stage" National Curriculum testing is completed every year with high results.
ISG students represent over 70 nationalities. ASD, BSD, ISG Jubail, and SVS are staffed primarily with Western-trained educators. ISG Dammam school meets the needs of a multinational student population with a multinational and highly qualified teaching staff.
ISG is committed to the safety and protection of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Our Mission
We inspire innovation and compassionate action.
Our Core Values
Respect, acceptance, integrity, responsibility... with a commitment to act.
Our Beliefs
At ISG, we believe that:
- Student learning must be the primary focus of the decisions affecting our schools.
- Development of the whole child socially, physically, intellectually and emotionally is imperative to success.
- We value our students as unique individuals and treat them with dignity; all our students are worthy of this respect.
- By inspiring our students they will contribute to society as knowledgeable, responsible and cultured citizens.
- Differences in learning styles exist; therefore, students have the right to learn in a way that brings them personal success.
- Activities beyond the curriculum that foster leadership, confidence and teamwork are essential to the development of the whole child.
- Students learn best and are most successful when the learning environment is safe and secure.
- Understanding and acknowledging the values of all cultures and diversity is essential and enriches the learning environment.
- Effective education requires appropriate facilities where students experience security, care, dignity and respect.
- The recruitment, professional development and retention of excellent employees are of vital importance to our success.
- Good morale is critical to the success of our schools.
- Our co-educational programs must be accomplished in a manner consistent with the regulations of the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Education.
Our Graduate Profile
ISG students will demonstrate the following characteristics:
- Leadership - inspire and motivate others
- Collaboration - purposeful and effective interaction with others
- Individuality - self-development, confidence and motivation
- Open mindedness - embrace and respect diverse ideas to refine perspective(s), balance judgment and inspire compassion
- Balance - well-roundedness, focus, and sustenance of a healthy mental and physical lifestyle through an efficient and proficient use of time
- Integrity - willingness and desire to do the right thing
- Growth mindset - belief that talents may be learned and perfected through perseverance
- Critical thinking - apply multiple perspectives and deep reasoning to real world situations
Learning Principles
- Students learn best with voice and choice.
- Learning is a reflective practice.
- Learning requires a safe, collaborative environment.
- Learning requires feedback for growth.
- Learning inspires passionate engagement.
- Learning from failure requires a growth mindset.
- Appropriate challenge engages and motivates learners.
Assessment Beliefs
Purpose:
- The purpose of assessment is to improve learning.
Beliefs:
- The student is the first and most important user of assessment data.
- Reflection is integral to deep learning.
- Assessments should be aligned with adopted standards.
- Feedback to students should be timely, targeted, accurate, actionable, ongoing and embedded in the assessment process.
- Assessments should produce accurate data capable of informing instruction and learning.
- Assessments should give students opportunities to demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways.
- Creating and upholding structures that support teacher collaboration around assessment practices will enhance student learning.
Curriculum
Curriculum and learning programs at ISG are evaluated and reviewed cyclically, and as needed, through current research and trends in education. This ensures that our programs meet the highest standards of excellence and are being implemented in the most effective way in the classroom in order to enhance program outcomes and learning targets.
Our American/International division educators are currently deepening their understanding of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for Mathematics and English/Language Arts. We are also part of Project AERO, through the US Department of State’s Office of Overseas Schools.
The British National Curriculum has been revised and is being rolled out in stages. Our British division is aligning with the new programs of study as well.
We are pleased to offer the IB Diploma Programme at the Dhahran Baccalaureate Centre on the Dhahran campus. This programme is available at ASD and ISG Jubail.
