Riyadh - School Report Question and Answers
Are students generally challenged appropriately by the curriculum? Please describe any particular strengths or weaknesses in this area. Do you have any thoughts how the curriculum is applied and implemented at this school?
Yes. They have different levels based on the kids needs. You can have 3 or 4 kids who have different needs and they are seperated based on level, but no one feels left out because there is no "lower" or "higher" group. Its just different groups. - Feb 2022
My kids have been appropriately challenged. I am pleased with what they are learning without there being excessive homework. - Apr 2019
This is a weakness at AIS-R. My kids' standardized test scores went down between fall and spring each year here. We are a bit concerned about making sure they are appropriately prepared for our next school (in Asia with cut-throat academics). AIS-R is run by Canadians for Saudis. It is not academically challenging at all at least until HS grades when they must meet international accreditation standards. There is a big push at the end of 8th grade to tell the kids they have to get their acts together in HS. - Jul 2018
ES (through 5th grade) is fine. After MS the general thought is that children are 1-1.5 years behind MD/VA schools. Our ES children were on grade level per MD schools. The noted exception is science. There is little science. There is a lot of silliness (focus on becoming global citizens, etc) but overall it is totally fine. MS is where the floor drops out. Math is the worst where we estimate our MS students are 1-1.5 years behind Maryland schools. There are little bright points academically from MS onward. Humanities teachers (english + social studies) are non-native English speakers whose English-level is insufficient. One of the teachers routinely makes simple grammar mistakes in email correspondence. - Mar 2017
