Salahaldin International School is in its seventh year of operation, having opened its doors to students in September of 2009. The school campus is located in a fast-growing, classy neighborhood on the outskirts of the greater Cairo area. The school serves upper-middle-class families.
One of our under-girding beliefs is that diversity is a strength and students are taught understanding, tolerance, and respect for all people. However, the student body is exclusive of the Islamic faith, due to our course offerings of religion and the Quran. Many of the parent stakeholders state that they are seeking a school with an American system of education with Islamic values.
The vast majority of students, about 75%, are Egyptian nationals. Around fifteen percent of the student body is Turkish and another ten percent from other nationals or dual nationals. Students of all nationalities mingle with their new community and are mainstreamed for basic instruction. Additionally, the EFL program for English and after-school courses for the Arabic language offer instruction for the improvement of those students who have little or no exposure to these languages previously.
In the present academic school year 2015 – 2016, it serves around 930 students encompassing a student body from pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12. School’s first graduating class was graduated at the end of the school year 2012 -2013. Around 100 students have graduated from SIS in the past 3 academic years. There are 37 students in the senior class of 2016.
There is around 120 teaching staff. The teaching staff members are mainly Egyptians. The others are from different backgrounds and nationalities, including Turkish, Albanian, American, Serbian, and Romanian. They bring with them a wide range of styles and experiences. It is one of the school’s challenges to build strong working bonds amongst such diverse people. Communication between Arabic-speaking staff and English-speaking staff at times presents a challenge, but not a barrier. Teachers work closely together in grade-level teams, subject departments, and school sections to plan, deliver, and improve instruction.
SIS campus facilities are aimed at giving its students the most well-rounded education and exposure possible with academic and sports facilities for all. All classes within the school buildings are equipped with smart boards as the school aims to promote interactive learning. SIS has 4 science labs that are well equipped and adhere to high safety standards. SIS has 5 computer labs with 24 all-in-one computers in each. Four art rooms, three music rooms, a drama room, a 3-D cinema, two conference halls, and an auditorium with 550 seats are available to support our visual and performing arts program.
The academic school year consists of 175 instructional school days. The regular school day runs from 7:30 to 2:40 from Sunday to Wednesday. Students are dismissed at 1:40 p.m. on Thursdays. Report cards are issued three times a year at the end of each trimester and parents are invited to discuss their child’s progress during parent/teacher conference which is held once every trimester.
Teacher workdays are scheduled at times throughout the year as well as a general two-week orientation/in-service at the beginning of the academic year. Every Thursday from 1:50 pm to 4:00 p.m. is set aside for professional development workshops, staff meetings, and committee meetings. Each school section maintains a master schedule of classes.
The Kindergarten department maintains a schedule of 29 lessons per week, each session being 40 minutes. The Lower and Upper Elementary departments maintain a schedule of 34 lessons per week, each session being 40 minutes in duration, and the Middle/High School department maintains a schedule of 34 lessons per week, each session being 50 minutes.
The school has collaboratively developed and continues to implement a curriculum based on clear measurable learning goals. The curriculum is aligned to the Common Core standards and benchmarks. Curriculum guides contain learning objectives that are aligned to the standards and teachers use them to plan their daily instruction in the classroom.
Salahaldin International School offers a rigorous, well-balanced course of study. Educational materials used are selected for their viability in the American curriculum and adaptability to the Egyptian environment. Instructional materials are compiled from a wide variety of sources, including Harcourt School Publishers, and are aligned to curriculum standards used throughout the three school departments.
The school believes the Language Arts/Literacy program to be the base for all learning. The importance of reading fluently, writing expressively, listening effectively, and speaking masterfully cannot be overstated. To achieve mastery in these areas, students are given many opportunities to practice.
To prepare students to responsibly participate in and contribute to contemporary society as informed, aware, active, and caring citizens, they must be proficient in the use of the native language of the country. Thus Arabic is given priority among the subjects and the school complies fully with all Ministry of Education rules, regulations, and instructional protocols.
SIS holds the belief that Students learn best through natural, meaningful, integrated experiences that are relevant to their lives. The classroom is child-centered and active. Teachers respect students’ prior knowledge and build upon their competence. The teachers recognize the importance of trial and error, risk-taking without fear of failure, and the need for time to grow. The teacher facilitates learning by modeling and engaging students in a wide range of activities.
Students are expected to take an active role in their learning and are encouraged to experiment and think for themselves. Students are encouraged to use a wide range of materials and resources, working individually and in small groups. Individual growth is the goal and teachers accept pupil differences. Laboratory experimentation in Science, hands-on manipulation of math learning resources, application of Language Arts skills in activities such as letter writing, conversational practice, oral presentations, and reading for information and entertainment, are a few of the ways students learn by doing.
Teachers allow students to explore the application of higher-order thinking skills through many classroom strategies such as class discussions and debates, problem-solving activities, research and project work, student presentations, and encouragement in taking leadership roles.
Teachers have access to instructional technology and it is integrated into their lesson planning and classroom instruction regularly. Students are given instruction and practice in the use of technology in the weekly Computer/Technology course of study.
The school maintains effective programs of study in Mathematics, Science, the Arts – music and art, Physical Education, and Computer/Technology in technology-ready classrooms, well-equipped science labs, music, and art rooms, weight room, computer labs, department libraries, multi-media room, auditorium, and outdoor sports courts.
Starting the academic year of 2015-2016 Middle and High schools are working thoroughly with the 21st-century organization. The Partnership for 21st Century Skills is a national organization that advocates for the integration of skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication into the teaching of core academic subjects such as English, reading or language arts, world languages, arts, mathematics, economics, science, geography, history, government, and civics.
Every 21st-century skills implementation requires the development of core academic subject knowledge and understanding among all students. Those who can think critically and communicate effectively must build on a base of core academic subject knowledge.
