Khartoum American School

Khartoum American School
Location
Sudan Khartoum
Sudan
Information
Type Private
Motto "caring, friendly, student-centered"
Established 1957
Superintendent Dr. Robert Beck
Early Childhood/Elementary Principal Phil Centers
Middle/High School Principal Susan Boutros
Grades Nursery-12
Gender Co-educational
Website http://krtams.org

Khartoum American School, founded in 1957, is an international school in Khartoum, Sudan that teaches an American/International curriculum. The school is a full member of the Council of International Schools (CIS) and is accredited jointly through CIS and the Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges (MSA).

While originally founded to offer education to the children of US diplomats in Khartoum, KAS later admitted students from the international community in Khartoum. As of 2014, 240 students from 44 countries were enrolled. The Early Childhood division offers schooling to children from 2 years old to preschool. The Elementary School encompasses kindergarten through grade 5. Middle School (grades 6-8) serves young adolescents and the High School division offers a college-preparatory education to students in grades 9-12.

Class size ranges from 3 to 20 students.

History and Location

KAS was founded in 1957 with a mission to educate children of US diplomats and other foreign nationals residing in Khartoum.[1]

KAS is a school that has a history of growth and change. Khartoum American School began way back in 1957 with a student population of 11 children who received instruction on the veranda of a private home. Within a short time, KAS rented its own quarters and in 1966, when enrollment had grown to 77 pupils, the school moved to a new site on Street No. 29 in New Extension. During that year, the school welcomed 96 students of 21 different nationalities. The school existed on Street No. 29 for 18 years.

A larger school was then needed and Chevron Oil Company provided a generous grant to help with the construction of the new school. A Danish architect was hired to design and oversee the construction of the new facility, which was started in 1982. It was completed in 1984 and school has continued uninterrupted, with the exception of a temporary suspension in 1991 during the Gulf War crisis, and a 2 day closure following the events of September 11. From its start with only 11 students KAS has grown to a student population of over 230 students from 30 different nations.

The high school division of KAS embraces grades 9-12. The curriculum follows that of most rigorous US college-preparatory schools. KAS has a suburban location, three miles from downtown Khartoum and is housed in an airconditioned 14-building, beautiful campus built to U.S. standards. 250 nursery through grade 12 students attend KAS It has 30 classrooms, including a science laboratory, library, and computer lab staffed with technology experts; art, music and audio-visual rooms; dedicated ESL facilities; learning center and teacher/support staff offices. An exceptionally green garden area used for plays and ceremonies, a large playing field, a covered basketball court and grass volleyball fields, healthy food-oriented kiosk and nursery classroom are integral parts of the campus. The school also has an aquatic complex that includes a 25-meter swimming pool built to international standards.

Governance

The School is governed by a 9-member School Board, 8 of whom are elected for 2 year terms by the Khartoum American School Parents' Association, and 1 who is appointed by the U.S. Embassy. Membership in the Association is automatically conferred on the parents or guardians of children enrolled in the School.[2]

Curriculum

KAS provides nurturing and caring student-centered environment. The curriculum is inquiry-based and international in scope. The language of instruction is English and resources are from the U.S. The School’s core curriculum includes language arts (English), math, science, social studies, and foreign language (French or Arabic). The core curriculum is supplemented by classes in music, art and physical education. The school offers the following Advanced Placement (AP) courses: calculus, statistics, physics, chemistry, English literature, studio art, world history, economics, and psychology. The high school curriculum also includes several electives. The school’s testing program utilizes standardized assessments that include: the MAP-Measures of Academic Progress administered yearly to all students in grades 2-1; and the PSAT, SAT and TOEFL are administered for college and university admission when appropriate There is an active after-school sports program at the secondary level (basketball, soccer and volleyball); and, an active after school activities program for Elementary School children. Student Support Services staff are available at KAS to assist students who may have mild to moderate learning challenges. The School is fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (USA) and the Council of International Schools (UK).[3]

Facilities

The School is housed in a 16-building campus built to U.S. standards. It has 34 classrooms, a science laboratory, a large library, art room, music room, student support services classroom, conference room, and weight training room. All classrooms are air-conditioned. A large football/soccer field is situated on the school grounds along with a covered basketball court and volleyball courts. There is also a large covered area used for physical education and other school activities. Over the past several years the School has made extensive efforts in greening the campus, resulting in spacious lawns for students and families to enjoy. In 2012 the School opened its Aquatic Complex with a half Olympic size swimming pool and a small splash pool for infants. It was used by Olympic athletes training for the London 2012 Olympics. The School has 2 computer labs with 41 Mac computers, high-speed internet connection and wireless capability throughout the campus. The School has a 1-to-1laptop program where all students from grades 3–12 are issued with their own MacBook Pro laptop computer. iPads are used in the grade 1 and 2 classes.[4]

Accreditation

KAS has been accredited through the Middle States Association (MSA)[5] of Schools and Colleges. In January 2008, KAS was also accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS).[6]

Additionally, KAS is a full member of the Africa International School Association (AISA).[7]

KAS is also an active member of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD).

References

  1. ↑ Khartoum American School (August 2015). "School Profiles" (PDF). Retrieved Nov 13, 2016.
  2. ↑ "School | Khartoum, Sudan - Embassy of the United States". sudan.usembassy.gov. Retrieved 2016-11-14.
  3. ↑ "KAS Fact Sheet". krtams.org. Retrieved 2016-11-14.
  4. ↑ "KAS Fact Sheet". krtams.org. Retrieved 2016-11-14.
  5. ↑ "MSA-CESS -> Member Resources -> Search Our Members". www.msa-cess.org. Retrieved 2016-11-14.
  6. ↑ "Council of International Schools (CIS) Portal: Directory". portal.cois.org. Retrieved 2016-11-14.
  7. ↑ "All AISA Members - Khartoum American School". www.aisa.or.ke. Retrieved 2016-11-14.

External links

Coordinates: 15°33′20″N 32°32′48″E / 15.5556°N 32.5468°E / 15.5556; 32.5468

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