OUR MISSION
Inspired by the principles of Islam, the mission of Dhahran Ahliyya Schools is:
First: To empower each student to be a compassionate, thinking, lifelong bi-lingual learner, who makes a positive difference locally and globally.
Second: to participate in the development of education in the Arab World
SUMMARY OF OUR VISION
We strive to be a pioneering learning community that fosters collaboration, persists in continuous inquiry and development, and utilizes current research and technology in the service of improving student learning..
CHARACTERISTICS TARGETED FOR DAS STUDENTS
DAS students will learn to become:
1. Principled, faithful Muslims
a. Faithful: Possess strong faith in the principles and values of our sacred Islamic religion, which are also the values of humanity, and that is reflected in their words and deeds.
b. Principled: Demonstrate a deep understanding of the lifelong principles and skills, applying them consistently in life.
2. Thinking persons who love learning and interact positively with the changing world.
a. Aware: Keep up-to-date about current events and matters of importance locally and internationally.
b. Thinking: Possess and apply habits of mind and thinking skills in making sound decisions and solving complex problems.
c. Inquiring: Enjoy a sense of curiosity and love of learning throughout life, possess the skills needed to continue learning and research new ideas in a manner that is constructive and valuable.
d. Reflective: Think about own learning and work in depth, analyzing own points of strengths and weaknesses in a constructive manner.
3. Open-minded persons who care about others
a. Caring: Demonstrate caring and empathy towards others and their feelings as well as a strong sense of personal commitment to take action in the service of the future of our world
b. Open-minded: Appreciate differences in individuals, showing respect for the views, values and customs of other individuals and cultures: refuse extremism and racism.
4. Successful people who contribute to the development of society
a. Effective: Demonstrate life skills, applying them consistently in life.
b. Communicative: Demonstrate a high level of ability to express ideas, feelings and information with confidence, in English, in Arabic and through other means of expression.
c. Balanced: Know the importance of balance between the mind and body for personal health and maintain this balance in life.
d. Risk-taking: Approach the unknown without anxiety, having the confidence and self-reliance to take on new roles and deal with new ideas and strategies; demonstrate courage and readiness to stand firm in defense of own beliefs
e. Collaborating: Take a positive view of matters and of persons and possess the skills and habits of cooperation with others for effective teamwork to accomplish joint objectives.
f. Loyal: Possess deep feelings of belonging and loyalty to their school, their country, and their people.
COMMITTMENTS: FOUR CRITERIA FOR EVALUATING OUR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
STRATEGY FOR CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
The DAS strategy for continuous improvement is to fulfill the Schools’ mission through living the principles of a professional learning community. This strategy requires involvement of all employees in the schools in an ongoing program of professional development that enables them to participate in a process of continuous analysis and evaluation of the results of our work, the development of better systems, methods, and teaching materials and the addition of new programs for our students.
In order to be effective, this strategy requires that parents and students be involved in the improvement process whenever possible.
ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF A PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITY
1. Commitment to continuous improvement
2. Shared norms and values
3. Collective focus on learning and shared responsibility for students
4. Collaboration
5. De-privatized practice
6. Reflective dialogue
METAPHORS FOR DAS
LABORATORY COMMUNITY FAMILY
DAS MOTTO
Each year we will be better than we were the year before.
Inspired by the principles of Islam, the mission of Dhahran Ahliyya Schools is:
First: To empower each student to be a compassionate, thinking, lifelong bi-lingual learner, who makes a positive difference locally and globally.
Second: to participate in the development of education in the Arab World
SUMMARY OF OUR VISION
We strive to be a pioneering learning community that fosters collaboration, persists in continuous inquiry and development, and utilizes current research and technology in the service of improving student learning..
CHARACTERISTICS TARGETED FOR DAS STUDENTS
DAS students will learn to become:
1. Principled, faithful Muslims
a. Faithful: Possess strong faith in the principles and values of our sacred Islamic religion, which are also the values of humanity, and that is reflected in their words and deeds.
b. Principled: Demonstrate a deep understanding of the lifelong principles and skills, applying them consistently in life.
2. Thinking persons who love learning and interact positively with the changing world.
a. Aware: Keep up-to-date about current events and matters of importance locally and internationally.
b. Thinking: Possess and apply habits of mind and thinking skills in making sound decisions and solving complex problems.
c. Inquiring: Enjoy a sense of curiosity and love of learning throughout life, possess the skills needed to continue learning and research new ideas in a manner that is constructive and valuable.
d. Reflective: Think about own learning and work in depth, analyzing own points of strengths and weaknesses in a constructive manner.
3. Open-minded persons who care about others
a. Caring: Demonstrate caring and empathy towards others and their feelings as well as a strong sense of personal commitment to take action in the service of the future of our world
b. Open-minded: Appreciate differences in individuals, showing respect for the views, values and customs of other individuals and cultures: refuse extremism and racism.
4. Successful people who contribute to the development of society
a. Effective: Demonstrate life skills, applying them consistently in life.
b. Communicative: Demonstrate a high level of ability to express ideas, feelings and information with confidence, in English, in Arabic and through other means of expression.
c. Balanced: Know the importance of balance between the mind and body for personal health and maintain this balance in life.
d. Risk-taking: Approach the unknown without anxiety, having the confidence and self-reliance to take on new roles and deal with new ideas and strategies; demonstrate courage and readiness to stand firm in defense of own beliefs
e. Collaborating: Take a positive view of matters and of persons and possess the skills and habits of cooperation with others for effective teamwork to accomplish joint objectives.
f. Loyal: Possess deep feelings of belonging and loyalty to their school, their country, and their people.
COMMITTMENTS: FOUR CRITERIA FOR EVALUATING OUR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
- STUDENTS FEEL safe in the school, confident that they will be respected and not exposed to any kind of bullying – physical or emotional, from adults or fellow students.
- STUDENTS FEEL that what they are studying is useful to them all the time and interesting to them at least 65% of the time.
- STUDENTS FEEL that they are being asked to apply higher level thinking skills to their learning and that they are not being asked simply to memorize except in those few instances when it is absolutely necessary.
- STUDENTS FEEL that they are able to succeed in doing the work assigned and are confident that if they have trouble they will be able to find assistance from teachers who will help them LEARN, not simply help them get good grades.
STRATEGY FOR CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
The DAS strategy for continuous improvement is to fulfill the Schools’ mission through living the principles of a professional learning community. This strategy requires involvement of all employees in the schools in an ongoing program of professional development that enables them to participate in a process of continuous analysis and evaluation of the results of our work, the development of better systems, methods, and teaching materials and the addition of new programs for our students.
In order to be effective, this strategy requires that parents and students be involved in the improvement process whenever possible.
ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF A PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITY
1. Commitment to continuous improvement
2. Shared norms and values
3. Collective focus on learning and shared responsibility for students
4. Collaboration
5. De-privatized practice
6. Reflective dialogue
METAPHORS FOR DAS
LABORATORY COMMUNITY FAMILY
DAS MOTTO
Each year we will be better than we were the year before.