Al Yasmin International School is a long-established (24 years) CBSE curriculum school located in the Al Malaz area of Riyadh. Although it may be one of the older international schools in the city, it seems that Al Yasmin International School has no intention of being left behind in terms of its teaching and learning.

The story so far...

Established in May 1999, Al Yasmin International School (AYIS) is clearly intent on keeping up with the times and ensuring that its students participate in the latest curriculum developments. 

AYIS is one of three schools in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia established by the Peevees Group - the other two are New Al Wurood School in Jeddah, and Al Khozama International School in Al Khobar.

The school is led by Principal Dr. S.M.Shaukat Perwez, who joined AYIS from Indian International School in Riyadh following the untimely death (due to Covid 19) of previous Principal, K. Rahamthullah in 2021. 

Dr. Shaukat Perez is supported by a team of 124 teachers in a school of approximately 4,000 students.

The school Vision is “To become world class learning communities promoting human excellence”.

Its Mission is to:

• Aim at high standard of achievement through the state of the art facilities and process.
• Construct knowledge with the active participation of all stakeholders.
• Pioneer process of innovations and provide models for inspiring others.
• Promote life-long learning in a stress-free and socially relevant context.
• Tap out the hidden potentialities identified in the areas of interest and provide personal attention to all children.
• Foster universal and family values in the learner.
• Facilitate holistic development of children as emotionally intelligent, intellectually competent, spiritually stable, socially sensitive and professionally competent global citizens

In addition, the school Aim is : To develop the total personality and help the child to be anchored in the cultural heritage of our nation.

What about the curriculum?

Al Yasmin International School (AYIS) is open from Nursery to Grade XII  and offers the CBSE curriculum from Grade I  with a strong focus on academic roots.  According to the school, the curriculum emphasises and relies upon what is best in traditional independent school education: "scholarly excellence supported by a caring, pastoral and tutorial system, and a wide-ranging co-curricular programme". 

The school team is said to be continually adapting and reacting to the changing demands of modern education with new subjects being added, new teaching techniques adopted, and an increasing awareness of the need to provide programmes of study that match individual needs and skills.

Evidence of these statement is shown by a strong focus on ICT-based solutions such as it Digi Class, which is a CBSE compliant multi-media-based interactive programme, where teachers transform traditional classes into interactive sessions based on audio visual delivery.  The delivery is via DigitALly, a multimedia resource which enhances teaching through the use of animation, videos and diagrams for the better retention of concepts.

Also in line with a more up to date approach to learning and the curriculum, the school has implemented a Robotics programme designed to ‘motivate, excite and inspire’ children in the study of Maths and Science.

According to the school, Robotics inspires students to make connections across multiple disciplines rather than learning topics in isolation, as it combines mechanical, electronic, electrical and programming skills. Students are motivated to learn by creating their own robotic devices, while at the same time gain a deeper understanding of interdisciplinary fields of study. In addition, robotics appeals to a broad range of students and allows multiple points of access to science and technology for a variety of learners.

Further adaptations to the curriculum have been with technology-driven integration of Science Labs with classrooms. Students are offered a technology-enabled learning environments to explore science through computer-aided experimentation, data logger and science probes as learning aids. This allows the students to have an enriching experience as it provides graphical manipulations, multiple analysis functions and direct Lab report printing capabilities. 

A further a digital platform used by the school is the Cyber square Platform, which is designed to enable students to gain essential skills such as problem-solving skills, website creation, creativity, mathematical skills, logical thinking, and critical thinking. These are imparted through highly immersive puzzles and games to make a student's learning environment productive and resourceful. With the growing influence of Machine Learning and AI (Artificial Intelligence), focus is also given to these two key developments.

Although there is an evident focus on embracing technology to support learning, particularly in relation to Science and Technology, AYIS students also benefit from further innovation in the Maths Lab.  This offers multiple teaching -learning aids comprising of Technology Applications, Videos, Manipulative and Measuring Instruments. The Maths Lab enables students to learn and explore mathematical concepts, and to verify mathematical facts and theorems using technology tools. It also allows students to think, discuss among themselves, and assimilate concepts, building interest and confidence in students learning the subject.

One further subject which is also approached with an innovative programme in ‘Understand Quran’.  AYIS was the first international school in the Kingdom to start Understand Quran: the Easy Way. Developed by Understand Quran Academy, Hyderabad, the Academy was established by Dr. Abdul Azeez Abduraheem, a well-known researcher on learning and teaching Quran, in 1990.

The lessons and grammar are taught using the most modern methodology Total Physical Interaction (TPI) and Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP). The message of the Qur’an along with its Arabic grammar is taught through the design of power point slides, easy to use textbooks, workbooks, posters, games and vocabulary cards.

Although there is a clear academic focus at AYIS, the social, emotional and physical well-being of 1½hours are assigned to activities such Language club, Knowledge Club, Sports and Social Club. In addition, the school organises the Yasmin Youth Festival, where all forms of performing arts, including drama, dance, mime, role play, music, and movie-making are used to enable students to celebrate the richness and depth of human expression. 

The school also organises an Art and Science Expo enabling students to apply or undertake the practical aspects of what they have learned in the classroom and present this in their own way.

What about academic achievement?

The school does not provide any information about the success of its students at either Grades 10 or 12. In May 2013, however, the Saudi Gazette noted that AYIS was one of the top three Indian curriculum schools in Saudi Arabia in terms of its results at AISSCE.  The school also notes that 97% of students go on to university.  

What about the facilities?

AYIS does not provide details of its facilities.  It is housed in a modern building.

The Buzz

It seems that there is a strong focus within the school on communicating with parents and ensuring that they are kept informed about their children’s progress. This takes place in two forms, through student led conferences (SLC) and open days.

SLC is designed to enable students to take ownership of their learning. Students lead the conference and share their reflections on achievements, challenges and interdisciplinary aspects of learning with their parents. Leading their own conference enables students to persevere and focuses their attention on the specific steps they have taken or will take to achieve high quality work.

Open days create a forum for teachers and parents to interact and find solutions concerning the performance and conduct of students. Parents are able to understand their children’s learning environment and to find out about the optimum environment their children learn in both academically and from a pastoral standpoint.

If you are a parent, teacher or Senior student at Al Yasmin International School, please share your opinions and experience with other potential members of your community and complete our Survey. 

What about the fees?

Tuition fees at Al Yasmin International School are in the affordable category at 6,944 SAR for Nursery to Grade 5, 7,244 SAR for Grades 6 to 10. and 8,448 SAR for Grades 11 and 12. Books and stationery are additional to these amounts which are payable in monthly installments. 

Further fees include 100 SAR  Prospectus & Admission Form Fee (at the time of Entrance Test), a one off  non-refundable Admission Fee of 700 SAR and a one off refundable Security Deposit of 500 SAR.

Admission requirements/documents are as follows:

Original Transfer Certificate  and report Card (Grades 2 to 12)
Birth Certificate of Student - 2 Copies.
Iqama Copy of Student, Father and Mother - 2 copies of each.
Passport of Student, Father and Mother (First, Visa & Address Page) - 2 copies of each.
Health Certificate / Vaccination Card - 2 copies (up to Grade 2).
Sponsor's Letter from Father's Company / Employer
Four Student Passport size photograph

The Transfer Certificate and Report card from India must be attested by the Saudi Embassy in India. For any region outside Riyadh or other GCC country, the Transfer Certificate and Report card must be attested by the respective Ministry of Education.

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