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Courtesy
of American School of Doha
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ASD students busy at work.
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The American School of Doha (ASD) is committed
to provide the highest standard of educational excellence
through an enriched American curriculum. ASD is
an independent, college preparatory school that
is accredited in the United States by the New England
Association of Schools and Colleges. Featuring extensive
technology and educational resources, ASD is a wonderful
example of the positive results of American influence
abroad.
The school draws from and builds upon the uniqueness
of its multicultural student body in an effort to
prepare students for the challenges of a rapidly
changing global society. ASD Director Ed Ladd said,
"This is an American school in the context
of a Muslim country." ASD is a coeducational
day school that offers an educational program for
children of all nationalities from prekindergarten
through grade 12.
Founded in 1988 by the U.S. Ambassador to Qatar
and governed by an appointed Board of Trustees and
Board of Directors, ASD maintains close ties with
the United States Embassy in Doha. In fact, nine
board members are appointed by the U.S. Ambassador
and three are elected by ASD parents. The U.S. Ambassador
serves as chairman of the Board of Trustees and
the membership includes a U.S. Embassy representative
and businessmen representing both U.S. and Qatari
businesses. Mr. Ladd is quick to point out that
despite these close ties, AUD is not a U.S. Embassy
school; however, the U.S. Embassy does help us with
security."
The director is responsible to the Board for the
overall management of ASD. The School is licensed
by the Qatari Ministry of Education, Office of Private
Schools. Mr. Ladd noted, "ASD represents the
world. Our curriculum is American based; but our
worldview comes from varied perspectives. In other
words, we see around corners and we see people as
people." This egalitarian approch is working
well.
Commenting on the diverse student body where boys
and girls of American, Arabic, and Asian background
work and play together, Director Ladd said, "This
is a school breaking down stereotypes of how the
world operates. Not bad when you consider where
we are is in the middle of a Muslim country."
The School is divided into three sections consisting
of prekindergarten and elementary school, a middle
school, and a high school. The classes are small,
with an average pupil/teacher ratio of 10:1, allowing
for individual attention to be given to each child.
The U.S. curriculum offered includes mathematics,
science, language arts, computer applications, global
social studies, English-as-a-Second-Language courses,
Arabic, French, Spanish, physical education, music-
including vocal and instrument instruction, and
art. Classroom instruction is in English. Children
in elementary and middle school must choose either
Arabic or Spanish as a foreign language.
The school is housed in a nine-year-old, one-story,
purpose-built facility. Two main building wings,
one for the elementary school and one for the middle
and high schools, provide some separation between
younger and more senior students. ASD’s many
amenities include a computer and science labs; music
rooms; art labs; two libraries; drama and vocal
rooms; an indoor gymnasium; a temperature controlled
swimming pool; volleyball, tennis and basketball
courts; and a lighted, grassy sports field.
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Qatar
