IIE Visits Educational Facilities

Author: Aramco ExPats
Released 7 June 2005

The next day of the tour focused on educational facilities in and around Dhahran.

Dhahran Ahliya School (Boys & Girls Schools)

Dhahran Ahliyya Schools
Photograph by Aramco ExPats

The group traveled to Al-Khobar to visit the Dhahran Ahliyya Schools (DAS). The aim of DAS is to prepare girls and boys to be thinking, caring individuals who will contribute to the development of their societies and thrive on the challenges of the changing world. Dhahran Ahliyya Schools are a professional learning community that is committed to the continuous learning of all members, including students, faculty, staff and others who participate in its development.

Deborah Youens, Library Media Specialist from Pflugerville, Texas provided a very insightful documentation of her visit to the Dhahran Ahliyyah School.

Finding the familiar in a foreign locale is one of the joys of travel. This was the case when the Aramco Teachers to Saudi Arabia visited the Dhahran Ahliyyah School. Beyond the forbidding walls of the girls school were students much like our own back in the U.S.
In the Saudi tradition of hospitality, we were offered coffee and dates in the library as director, Sally Al-Turki explained the history and mission of the school. We discovered our schools shared researching strategies (The Big Six), databases (Ebsco) and many professional materials including Arabic translations of books on bullying and multiple intelligences. Information about the depth of this professional development was impressive, but we were dismayed to learn that the profession of teaching is regarded as women’s work, much like in the U.S.
After catching glimpses of the students moving from class to class, we were anxious to tour the building and see them at work. We were not disappointed.
The classes were organized in clusters with a teacher and one or two assistants in each room. Student work was colorfully displayed throughout the building. The children were engaged in cooperative, purposeful activity. In the gym, high school girls stood proudly by research projects on literative, math and science as well as impressive artwork. We were invited to visit with the girls as they detailed the process they used to create their displays. We found the students to be knowledgeable and articulate on topics like anorexia, ecology and genetic engineering. Each project included a summary with beautiful computer graphics and correct source citation.

For the conclusion of our visits, we were seated in a large circle with the girls for a question and answer session. It was here that the true universality of our students was most clear. Like American students, the girls had found ways to express their individuality within the confines of their modest uniforms; a Gap jacket, LIVE STRONG bracelets, colorful barrette, jewelry and even a small heart embroidered at the hem made each outfit as unique as its owner.

We were all struck with the diversity and beauty of the young women as well as their desire for higher education and a role in the larger world around them. Upon our exit, we compared notes with our male counterparts about their visit to the boys school and tried to join the pieces of this educational puzzle together.

Saudi Aramco Schools

Saudi Aramco Schools
Photograph by Aramco ExPats

Saudi Aramco Schools recognize their role in attracting and retaining an international workforce, and continue to strive for excellence. For example, under the direction of Superintendent, Brent A. Mutsch, Ed.D. and the Aramco School Board, a task force consisting of parent and staff representatives from across the four communities in which the Saudi Aramco Schools operate, developed a powerful mission and vision statement with the overall goal to be a pre-eminent school system where students achieve their maximum potential in a culture of continuous improvement. The following mission and vision statements were approved and adopted on June 9, 2003.

Mission:

Saudi Aramco Schools provide each student with an excellent education in support of attracting and retaining an international workforce.

Vision:

Saudi Aramco Schools will be a pre-eminent school system where students achieve their maximum potential in a culture of continuous improvement.

From the date these statements were adopted, the board agreed to take the necessary steps to achieve their goals over the proceeding three to five years.

Step Number 1: Continuous Improvement Planning

Continuous Improvement Planning is a process that incorporates the analysis of available data to derive quantifiable feedback on the strength of student learning and to identify areas needing improvement.

The data used in this analysis is a compilation of student achievement data as well as data gathered through parent/ teacher surveys and student surveys.

Step Number 2: Develop and Sustain Collaborative Relationships with Parents

Saudi Aramco Schools reaffirmed their commitment to both developing and sustaining a relationship with parents that is focused on collaboration and cooperation for the purpose of promoting students achieving their maximum potential.

Step Number 3: Achieve Accreditation

The accreditation process serves to provide feedback on strengths and areas for improvement. As part of the process, the performance of Saudi Aramco Schools is benchmarked against the external standards of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

Sunset Beach

Sunset Beach
Photograph by Aramco ExPats

Guests were invited to dine at the world-class Sunset Beach Resort hosted by M.Y. Rafie, Senior Vice President, Industrial Relations.

Sunset Beach, overlooking 460,000 square meters of beautifully landscaped gardens and soothing beaches; offers world-class accommodations, facilities, services, and activities.

Aramco Expats