ISG Superintendent's Message
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REMINDER: RE-ENROLLMENT DECISIONS DUE MARCH 10
During the first week of February, we shared the ISG re-enrollment timeline with our community.
The deadline for submitting re-enrollment decisions is March 10, 2025.
Please check the email associated with your OpenApply account for a letter from your school outlining the steps for re-enrollment.
ISG is fortunate to be able to provide high quality learning valued by the families in our extended community resulting in high enrollment demand through our ongoing admissions. Therefore, out of respect for families, we are unable to offer re-enrollment extensions, as it is essential for us to determine available spaces for new families immediately after providing an opportunity for existing students to re-enroll. We encourage all families to prioritize this process to ensure your child(ren) has a reserved space at ISG as the School will not be able to guarantee seats for next year for students who have not re-enrolled by the deadline.
You may wish to visit our Tuition and Fees page to view our 2025-26 Terms of Service, which reflect payment and refund terms applicable to all our campuses. This information has been enhanced with clarifications for parents based on feedback from our family community.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the ISG enrollment team at [email protected].
We thank you for choosing ISG for the education and care of your child(ren), and we look forward to continuing to partner with parents and welcoming students back for 2025-26.
PARENTS AS PARTNERS AT ISG
At ISG, we believe that strong parent partnerships enrich the learning experience for our students as well as create a positive school community. There are many ways for parents to get involved, whether through volunteering, joining Parent-Teacher Groups (PTGs) or participating in Campus Councils. These groups play a vital role in fostering relationships between families and the ISG campuses, through providing valuable feedback and supporting initiatives that strengthen the educational journey for students. Parents also engage by attending the Parent-Teacher Conferences (PTC), where they gain insights into their child’s academic progress and contribute to discussions on the learning partnership that supports each student.
Beyond traditional involvement, parents who work for companies can help bridge connections between ISG and the professional world. By suggesting educational collaborations, guest speaker opportunities, or industry-related activities, parents can bring real-world learning experiences to ISG students. These partnerships can introduce students to various career pathways, enhance their understanding of global industries, and provide hands-on, valuable learning experiences outside the classroom. Whether through mentorship programs, company visits, or project-based collaborations, corporate partnerships are a valuable way for parents to contribute to our ISG’s mission. If you would like to suggest corporate engagement opportunities with ISG campuses, please send an email to: [email protected]. We look forward to developing these further learning experiences for our students.
To ensure meaningful and effective engagement, ISG follows clear guidelines that emphasize inclusivity, accessibility and transparency. We encourage parents to actively participate while respecting the roles and responsibilities within the school community. Whether through volunteering time, providing feedback or fostering new collaborations, every contribution helps create a more connected and dynamic learning environment. Together, we can continue to strengthen ISG’s culture of collaboration and stewardship, ensuring a bright future for our students.
REMINDER: SAN ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE SYMPOSIUM
We would like to remind high school and senior school students from ASD, BSD, ISG Dammam and ISG Jubail to apply for the exciting Engineering and Science Symposium.
This student-led initiative was founded by two passionate Grade 10 students from ASD who wanted to create a platform for students to showcase their love for science, technology and innovation.
The symposium offers an incredible opportunity for students to present projects, share ideas and connect with like-minded peers who are eager to explore the future of engineering and science.
Applications opened on February 9, and more details can be found on the event website: www.sanes.me.
Be sure your child doesn’t miss this chance to be part of an inspiring event driven by students, for students!
AAIE CONFERENCE INSIGHTS AND TAKEAWAYS
The 2025 Association for the Advancement of International Education (AAIE) Conference in Washington, DC, provided a dynamic platform for international education leaders to engage in professional development, explore innovative solutions, and collaborate on the evolving challenges facing international schools today. The event featured thought-provoking sessions led by prominent speakers, including Homa Tavangar on leadership transitions, Tim Carr on controversy and leadership resilience, and D.J. Condon on gender dynamics in leadership. Other key topics included AI integration in education, restorative approaches to problem-solving, and strategies for creating inclusive learning environments for all students.
One of the most impactful experiences was the pre-conference session, which provided a structured approach to implementing systems change and leveraging AI tools to enhance both student learning and school operations. A site visit to a local international school further enriched the experience, as leaders collaborated with educators and students to navigate real-world problem-solving scenarios. This visit reinforced ISG’s strengths while also offering fresh perspectives on areas for growth. Sessions on student well-being, project management, child protection and safeguarding, and board of trustee development also provided valuable insights to support ISG’s continuous improvement efforts.
Beyond the formal sessions, the conference fostered meaningful networking opportunities, allowing participants to engage with global colleagues, share best practices, and develop collaborative relationships. Interactive sessions like Leader Lab 2.0 challenged leaders to tackle complex, real-world scenarios together. Discussions on sustainable school practices and emerging trends in education provided additional takeaways, supporting ISG’s commitment to staying at the forefront of educational excellence. Hearing from David Yeager, author of 10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People, was particularly relevant as ISG continues its work on the 5+1 plan and career pathways initiatives. The conference was an invaluable experience, reaffirming ISG’s dedication to innovation, leadership, and continuous development in international education.
ISG PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN FEBRUARY
Continuous professional development is essential to fostering a dynamic learning environment for both educators and students. At ISG, we are committed to providing meaningful growth opportunities that enhance teaching practices, leadership skills, and student outcomes. Over the past two months, our faculty and staff have engaged in a variety of professional learning experiences designed to support our strategic goals. For a closer look at recent training sessions, workshops, and collaborative learning initiatives, visit our Teaching and Learning website.
NESA’s Educators Training Institute
From January 23-25, the American Community School of Abu Dhabi hosted the NESA Educators Training Institute, which was attended by 16 teachers from the International Schools Group (ISG).
Participants engaged in the Standards-Based Learning Institute, a two-day institute focused on standards-based grading and inclusion, and Instructional Coherence Cohorts, three-day events in mathematics, science, social studies and English language arts.
The six teachers participating in the Standards-Based Learning Institute gained essential insights into effective assessment practices. They learned the significance of assessment planning in conjunction with unit planning, developed assessment plans for current or upcoming units, explored rubric construction fundamentals, and devised formal and informal formative assessment strategies. Additionally, they reviewed methods to circumvent the "grading trap," recognizing its potential to undermine effective teaching.
Participants in the Instructional Coherence Cohorts focused on designing core instruction rooted in Fullan's 6 Cs, which serve as foundational pillars of deeper learning. The instruction was embedded within High-Impact Teaching Strategies (HITS) and customized to align with various academic disciplines. Participants also integrated Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and AI technologies to enhance student achievement.
This collaborative professional development opportunity equipped ISG teachers with valuable tools and strategies and fostered a shared commitment to improving educational practices across the district.
Professional Development Committee Retreat
On January 29, the district Professional Development (PD) Committee met to discuss current district wide initiatives including positive school culture and its impact on all ISG stakeholders.
At this retreat, the committee discussed the three key levers that are proven to enhance school culture; vision and mission alignment, positive relationships and family and community engagement. Actions that schools can take and associated outcomes relating to these levers were analyzed.
The PD committee is also preparing to administer the annual student survey and reviewed survey questions to ensure alignment and relevance.
To conclude the retreat, the committee discussed Learning Forward’s standards for professional development and their applicability at ISG.
Technology Leads Retreat
The Technology Leads meeting focused on aligning and reviewing the district’s digital subscriptions and resources, emphasizing a strategic consolidation of tools, starting with Quizizz as a potential replacement for platforms like Kahoot, Polleverywhere and others. In preparation to try a pilot subscription of Quizziz for the district in March, and with the assistance of the Teaching & Learning team, the technology leads conducted a staff survey to assess current resource utilization across schools.
Additionally, discussions included the integration of artificial intelligence tools, the status of technology materials such as 3D printers and laser cutters and upcoming events like the ISG Jamboree.
The meeting highlighted a collaborative approach to enhance technology usage and support educators in effectively leveraging digital tools for improved student learning.
Next steps will involve developing onboarding resources and how-to videos for technology integration in teaching across ISG.
Multilingual Learning (MLL) Retreat
The MLL retreat aimed to foster a collaborative community among learning support teachers across the district, ensuring a unified approach as we prepare for the upcoming academic year.
Key objectives included:
- Updating the handbook to reflect our instructional best practices.
- Incorporating updates from the ISG admissions team.
- Solidifying our collective understanding and use of core instructional resources
Additionally, the retreat focused on developing a comprehensive plan for ongoing professional development to better support all learners within the classroom environment for the upcoming school year.
Instructional Leadership Team Meeting
On February 11, ISG’s Instructional Leadership Team met to further develop school leadership culture growth plans. These plans are informed by staff feedback and data collected to date, ensuring they align with key priorities for enhancing school culture.
The leadership team collaborated on specific actions that school leaders will take to enhance school culture. In addition, the leadership team reviewed and finalized the system self study in preparation for ISG’s upcoming MSA accreditation visit in April 2025.
SAVE THE DATES
Important Dates:
- March 2 - Ramadan hours begin
- March 10 - Re-enrollment due
- March 30 - April 3 - Eid Break
Ramadan Hours:
- Students: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Staff: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
College and University Visits:
We are pleased to provide support for our students in a range of counseling services including college and university. You can see the latest information here.
SCHOOL UPDATES
American School Dhahran
ASD High School Students Explore Spain’s Culture and History.
ASD’s Middle School Students Enjoy a Winter Adventure in the Swiss Alps.
British School Dhahran
BSD’s U19 Boys Football Team Displays Exceptional Teamwork at Final SAIKAC Event.
BSD U16 Badminton Teams win Gold and Silver at SAIKAC Tournament.
ISG Dammam
ISG Jubail