American School Dhahran

In 2021, Dhahran Elementary Middle School (DEMS) and Dhahran High School (DHS) merged to become the American School Dhahran (ASD). ASD is an accredited, not-for profit, K-12 school with an uncompromising commitment to educational excellence. Our dedicated staff ensure optimal student learning in a safe, positive and stimulating environment.

Originally established in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1962, ASD provides its students with a world-class education. We cater to different cultures and nationalities by blending the American curriculum with unique opportunities offered by living in the Arab world. We welcome you to discover what makes us one of the leading international schools in the Kingdom.

American School Dhahran (ASD) is a not-for-profit, Kindergarten to Grade 12, international school serving the American community as well as the needs of the diverse international population in the Dhahran/Khobar area of Saudi Arabia. ASD offers an American standards-based curriculum capped by either the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program or a wide range of AP courses.

At ASD we are driven by our mission, ‘We inspire innovation and compassionate action.’ Throughout their lives, our children will need to find innovative solutions to problems in a rapidly changing world. They will also need to act compassionately to ensure that the world they create is peaceful and humane.

ASD teachers believe in collaborative planning practices to guarantee the fidelity of every student’s education. Emphasis has been placed on moving away from the traditional model of textbook teaching to designing courses based on standards. This backwards model of unit and course design has been shown to be innovative in terms of increased student-centered classrooms focused on learner agency. Coupled with this have been newly adopted standards that have been carefully implemented to maximize professional learning and support.

From the earliest grades, ASD students are encouraged to be active learners. They analyze and question, take risks and learn within a supportive environment. Agency and autonomy increase as they progress, and students are given ample opportunities to grow through an exciting range of enrichment programs, after school activities and leadership opportunities. We offer a broad range of courses and, in the high school years, a carefully tailored college-prep program.

At ASD, we view our community as a family of educators, students and parents working together to inspire innovation and compassionate action.

We are entering an exciting phase in our history as we merge DEMS and DHS, and prepare to move to a new, purpose-built campus later this school year. Our new facility has been designed to incorporate the latest aspects of modern day design, while ensuring it is fit for purpose for everyday use. Once completed, it will be the premier facility of its kind in the Eastern Province.

Our instruction has always been top-notch; we will now be matched with equally top-notch facilities that will complement our teaching and allow us to develop new programs and deepen existing ones.

We have a diverse student population with over 50 nationalities. We employ only certified teaching staff who are predominantly from North America, but might also hail from Europe, South Africa or Australia. We are an inclusive community of students, teachers and parents, inspiring each other to learn not only in the classroom but in the wider world. In addition to our core academic program, we embrace the arts, celebrate athletics and strive to become respectful and caring world citizens.

We offer a range of activities outside the classroom and we encourage our students to get involved and try something new. There are exceptional opportunities on offer everywhere: in the laboratories, the art room, the music rooms and on the sports field (and soon-to-be swimming pool!).

One of the unique features of our high school is that we offer both an extensive variety of college level Advanced Placement (AP) courses as well as the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP). Students have the ability to choose either of these options as their pathway to a successful college career. We are committed to bringing out the best in our students and to “inspire innovation and compassionate action.” We would be delighted if you were to join us.