Rabat, Morocco Report of what it's like to live there - 10/18/16
Personal Experiences from Rabat, Morocco
School Name:
Rabat American School
Background Information:
1. Are you the parent of a child(ren) attending this school? A teacher at the school? Or both?
I am a parent of 5 children attending this school.
2. What grade or grades do/did your children attend at the school? During what year(s) did they attend the school?
My children are Kindergarten, 4th, 7th, 9th, and 12th. They began attending this school in 2014, and will attend until 2018.
3. What was your reason for living in the city where the school is located (e.g., government, military, corporate, NGO, retired)?
U.S. Embassy
4. Are other schools available to expatriates in this city? Why did you choose this particular school?
There are French speaking schools, but this is really the only English speaking school
Admissions & Welcome:
1. Are the admissions and placement procedures clearly stated to prospective families, either on the school website or through other means of communication?
Yes. You will need to also contact the Director of Admissions for the school.
2. How would you rate the school's support and welcome/integration of new students and their families, and why?
I think that this is improving. Many people are welcomed by their embassies, but I have seen great strides to include new families. The PTA has a facebook page, and they have recently done day trips for parents, etc. It is a good idea to hook up with someone the same ages as your children at the school.
Administration & School Procedures:
1. How is the overall communication between teachers and parents, and the administration and parents? How is communication facilitated?
The communication is through a weekly hotline, and monthly Director's coffees with the Director of the School and often Elementary and Secondary Principals. Also the school has recently set up "Schoology" where messages are posted almost daily and at least weekly on the site.
2. Aside from school fees, are there required expenses such as uniforms, laptops/tablets, musical instruments, or field trips that parents are expected to cover? What are the approximate costs?
There are a few small required expenses, like a P.E. Uniform, which is only US$20. Each child in secondary is provided with a laptop by the school. There are occasional sports fees for local tournaments, but the only really big expense are sports/music/MUN trips to other countries. Typically a trip like this for a student would be about US$500. The high school basketball, soccer, and volleyball teams can travel to Portugal or Spain for trips. The Middle School Honor choir travels to Spain.
The "Week without Walls" trip for Middle School Students in Morocco is covered by the school.
Academics & Resources:
1. What personal or academic counseling resources are available at this school? Is there a dedicated college counselor at the school? Is he/she familiar with universities worldwide?
There is a dedicated college counselor. The school recently had visits from Northeastern in Boston, and several other schools. Last year, Columbia, Stanford, and UPenn were some of the schools that visited. The counselor is familiar with schools world-wide, and students from RAS have been accepted into good schools in many countries.
2. Is there before and/or after-school daycare available? What are the costs?
No, but most families have house-help because it is inexpensive.
3. Does the school have a library? How large is it? How updated are the books? Can students borrow books to read at home?
The school has a good Elementary Library. They also have a decent Secondary Library. My kids have always had books to read from school. Yes, you can take the books home. The school orders new books every year, and takes requests from students and families.
4. How are information technology resources at the school. Are they up-to-date? Is there a computer lab?
Yes. Lots of emphasis on being up-to-date
5. Describe the physical education resources at the school. Is there a gym? A swimming pool? Are there playing fields or tennis courts available?
There is a gym, a swimming pool, and playing fields. No tennis courts, but you can go to local clubs not too far away.
6. What is the approximate teacher-to-student ratio in the grades that your child attended?
One teacher and one assistant for 15 students in elementary.
In secondary, it depends on the class choices, but probably about one teacher for every 10-12 students.
7. Are Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses available in upper grades? If this is an IB school, is the full diploma required of all students?
IB is available in upper grades. The IB diploma course is offered. All students take IB classes, but they have a choice of full diploma, or certificates. Students graduate with a U.S. High School diploma, whether they take the full IB diploma course or not.
8. 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?
One of the greatest strengths is the teachers. We have had very good teachers in every grade. My kids really enjoy learning.
When we first moved here, we came from a strenuous academic program in the U.S. My oldest son was in 10th grade. He thought the academic program here was easier than the U.S. that year, but once he started IB his Junior year, he was challenged. The school is moving toward all High School classes being just as challenging as the IB courses. Currently, most of the IB teachers are also teaching lower secondary grades as well, so they are overseeing the preparation for IB.
Overall, the whole school is working on having a cohesive curriculum, from Elementary to Secondary.
9. Is the amount and type of homework generally appropriate for the age and grade of the students?
In elementary school there is not much homework. Most of the teachers believe that kids need to unwind, and play after school. There is always a short amount of time that needs to be spent reading each day, but other homework is usually a small packet due at the end of the week.
My kids have lots of homework in secondary. It is not too much and reinforces what they have learned in class.
10. What fine arts electives are available (music, drama, visual arts)?
Students can take music and art in elementary school. In secondary they can take music, drama, or visual art until they finish 10th grade. After 10th grade, only visual art is available to students, because it can be part of the IB program. There is also a jazz band club created by students after school, and the music teacher teaches a glee club.
11. Are the teachers at the school required to speak English as a first language--or at least fluently?
Yes.
12. What services are available for gifted/advanced students at the school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
Teachers notice and help students, but there is no streaming.
13. What services are available for students with learning disabilities at this school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
There is learning support in both elementary and secondary.
14. What services are available for students with physical disabilities at this school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
Not much is available now, but in a few years when the school moves to a new campus, they will at least have elevators.
15. What services are provided for speakers of English as a second language at this school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
Lots of ESL teachers.
16. What extra-curricular activities (including sports) are available at this school? Have your children participated in these activities? What activities do you feel are missing at the school?
Lots of good sports for secondary. Volleyball, basketball, track, seasonal swimming, badminton, and soccer are all available. For elementary students there is a community sponsored Saturday Soccer at the school, and after-school activities like soccer, basketball, Young Citizen's Club, and robotics.
There isn't a lot of music or dance but students can take lessons privately outside campus.
Social & Emotional Well-Being:
1. Do expatriate students socialize with local students at the school? Are both groups successfully integrated into the school culture?
Depends on the grade, but generally kids do mix well.
2. Are there are any problems with exclusionary behavior, cliques, or bullying at this school? Please describe any problems your children may have experienced in this area.
My kids haven't experienced it, but others may have.
Overall Impressions:
1. What letter grade (ranging from A, excellent, to F, fail) would you assign to this school based on your overall experience? Would you choose it again?
B+ Yes, I would choose it again. My kids have been happy here.
