ISG Dammam, a member of the not for profit International Schools Group, is an American-accredited school in the eastern coastal city of Dammam, Saudi Arabia, offering education from Kindergarten through Grade 12.

The story so far...

ISG Dammam is a not-for-profit American curriculum school catering to the needs of the expatriate population on the east coast of Saudi Arabia. ISG Dammam is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools in the USA, ensuring that the High School Diploma that students achieve is recognised and accepted both in the US and internationally.  The school is licensed by the Saudi Ministry of Education and is a part of the International Schools Group (ISG), an educational organization that has served the expatriate community in Saudi Arabia for 60 years.

It is a sister school to ISG American School Dhahran, ISG British School Dhahran, ISG Jubail and the Sara Village School.  From the outset, the school has catered to students from a broad range of nationalities, and now offers a curriculum based on a US. Curriculum, with the addition of additional languages including French and Arabic.

Established in 1985 in the small town of Rahima, ISG Damman integrated two private schools - Rahima Academy SAIS, a school for children of Aramco expatriates living outside Najmah, and the English Model School.

The school has a long and somewhat chequered history. Operating as the Rahima Academy in the fall of 1985, the school opened with 140 students and 14 staff members. Classes from kindergarten to grade eight were conducted in a rented 3500 sq.m. former laborers' camp. Despite of having limited resources, the school continued to provide quality education, which was further enriched by special programs such as the National Language course and physical education. Co-curricular and extracurricular activities were offered with the regular school program and staff underwent continuous Professional Development programs.

In April 1995, Rahima Academy moved to a new campus for which the land was donated by Aramco, supported by the SAIS board, and fundraising activities by the school. The new school had 48 classrooms, a spacious library, computer and science labs, a multipurpose room, a large courtyard, playgrounds, and a track and field. Rahima Academy continued to grow, and became well established in the eastern province. However, in 1998, the school was forced to relocate to a new campus in Damman. The change in location brought about positive changes, as bigger and improved facilities enabled the school to accommodate the increasing student population. High School and Pre-School education were added to the school's offering and student enrollment reached and exceeded 1000 pupils.

In the 2002-03 academic year, the Ministry of Education formally changed the name Rahima Academy to International Schools Group - Dammam. On December 1, 2004 ISG Dammam received its certificate of accreditation from the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, U.S.A.

Having taken the step to build of a new campus, offering world-class facilities to accommodate its expanding student body, ISG Dammam was forced to relocate again due to the building of the Riyadh Superhighway. Land was secured in Al Nour to build a new 25,000 sq. meter complex designed to accommodate 1,400 students.  This facility opened its doors in August 2015.

Today, the school has approximately 700 students from 35 nationalities, with 95% of students having a first language is other than English. The maximum class size at the school is 25 students.

ISG Damman says that its fundamental ethos lies in “a deep commitment to the development of self-motivated, lifelong learners. The school provides a supportive, multicultural environment and maintains excellent standards in scholarship, character development and citizenship. The school's students emerge fully equipped to function effectively as global citizens in a constantly changing world.”

The school Mission (in keeping with all the ISG schools) is “We inspire innovation and compassionate action.” Its Core Values are “Respect, acceptance, integrity, responsibility ...with a commitment to act.”

ISG Damman is led by Principal Jonathan Acker, who graduated from Pacific Lutheran University in 1993 with a degree in music education. He continued his studies with a master's program in music education from the University of Washington. In 2003, Mr. Acker completed a Master's degree in Educational Administration from the University of Puget Sound. Having commenced his  educational career in the Tacoma public schools, in 2005, Mr. Acker moved overseas and has held various roles (teacher, coach, Technology Facilitator, Director of Curriculum and Professional Development and Principal) in American international schools throughout the Middle East in Jordan, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia.

The school employs teachers from a range of countries representing many of the nationalities that make up the student population, including American, Canadian, British, Pakistani, Egyptian, Indian, Lebanese, Filipino, Sudanese, Jordanian and South African. Well-qualified support staff caters to the non-academic aspects of the school program in a friendly and professional manner. Professional Development for staff is an integral part of the school's operations.

What about the Curriculum?

ISG Dammam offers the U.S. curriculum based on Common Core standards from KG1 through to Grade 12. In addition to the core academic program, which includes Language Arts, Mathematics, Science (Next Generation Science Standards), Social Studies (College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies State Standards), Art (National Core Art Standards), Arabic Culture and Physical Education (SHAPE- Society of Health and Physical Educators). 

The school's curriculum also includes a Global Language program that offers Arabic and French. Other specialized programs include Technology Integration (ISTE Standards), English as an Additional Language (EAL) and an active after school activities program.

The curriculum in the KG section of the school is largely based on learning through discovery, where students begin to learn to read, write, and spell their first words, develop their skills in numbers, phonics, colors and knowledge.

In the Elementary school (from KG-Grade 5), where a significant proportion of students are non-native English speakers, there is a particular focus on literacy. The Writer’s Workshop and Reader’s Workshop programs are designed to equip students to become avid readers and prolific writers, where they are able to talk about their thinking, challenge their ideas, grow new ideas, and put their thoughts into action. A new Balanced Literacy initiative aims to develop, tech-savvy, well-rounded, well-informed students, ensuring the responsible use of technology, advocating safety rules that ensure students’ total privacy and safety.

As students enter the Middle school, the transitional period from Elementary school to High school is a challenging time of growth and change and Middle school students are provided with support and opportunities to meet their particular needs, developing greater independence, more appropriate health and physical education, chances to participate in planning and managing their own activities, facing the challenges of growing up, exploring new interests and developing skills of responsibility and empathy. Middle Schoolers’ ability to grow and develop set the stage for High school and beyond. 

Once students enter the High School (approximately one-third of the school’s student number is in this section), required subjects include English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Global Languages (French), PE/Health, Information Technology and Ministry of Education required Arabic Studies. The courses meeting the language and cultural requirements mandated by the Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia are Modern Standard Arabic or Arabic as a Foreign Language, Kingdom History and Geography, and Islamic Culture.

The school offers a fairly limited range of AP courses in addition to the core academic program including AP English Literature and Composition,  AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Chemistry, AP Computer Science A, AP Human Geography, AP Macroeconomics, AP Microeconomics,  AP Psychology, and AP Physics 1, although subjects vary based on demand and teaching availability.

ISG Dammam offers a variety of over 35 after-school activities aimed at encouraging students to become well-rounded individuals through the pursuit of sports, hobbies, music, performance and other extracurricular activities. Students of all ages have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities that support and complement the curriculum.

These include the National Honor Society (NHS), Model United Nations (MUN), Student Council, Peers as Leaders (PAL), Music Club, Math Club, Book Club, Chronicle’s Club, Drama/Debate Club, Sports Club, Art Club, Chess Club, Cookery Club, Compassion in Action Club, Heritage Club, and Prom Club. Students can also participate in various intra-kingdom activities such as MUN, Debate, Basketball, Football (Soccer), Volleyball, Badminton, Cricket and Chess Tournaments. 

As with most US curriculum schools, sport is a big feature of the school, with over 25 sports teams in action across different sports and age groups.

What about Academic achievement?

ISG Damman does not appear to have a High School Profile which would provide more detailed historical and current information about student achievement.  It does, however, provide some information to AP exam entries and results, and to ongoing assessment processes.  The school does not reveal the number of students entered for the AP examinations.

In 2020, (the latest information provided) students at ISG Damman were entered for 123 AP exams in 13 AP subjects.

The AP results achieved showed an average score of 5 for AP Calculus AB, AP Microeconomics, AP Physics C Mechanics, an average score of 4.5 for AP Macroeconomics, an average score of 4 for AP Human Geography and AP Psychology, and scores of 3 or higher for 20 of 33 entries for AP Biology, 12 of 26 for AP Calculus AB, and 6 out of 13 for AP Physics 1. 

ISG Damman also published its SAT results indicating the Mean ERW (Evidence-based reading and writing) score and Mean Math Score.  The US averages for these were 536 and 531 points respectively.  In ISG Damman’s case, students comfortably exceeded these scores with 547 and 602 points respectively.

ISG students are accepted in a wide range of universities in the Canada, US, UK, Europe and internationally.

For Standardized Testing, ISG Dammam uses Northwestern Evaluation Association (NWEA) Measures of Academic Progress® (MAP®) standardized testing for students in grades 2-8 which are the tests aligned with the Common Core standards in the United States.  

The test are adaptive, becoming harder as the students answers more questions correctly, and easier if the student answers two or more questions incorrectly, effectively enabling the student to take a test that is specifically created for his or her learning level. The test results enable teachers to measure individual student’s growth in learning, enabling them to recognize where to focus attention for each child’s optimal learning.

Students are tested at the start of the academic year with a 'pre-test' to give teachers information to prepare for the year ahead, and again in the Spring, when the test acts as the 'post-test' to check growth during that year.  Student goal setting based upon the fall assessment results are discussed at parent-teacher conferences.

In addition to the twice-yearly MAP testing, teachers regularly offer both formative and summative assessments. There is regular feedback to ensure every student has the opportunity to achieve success.

What about the Facilities?

ISG Dammam underwent its most recent (and hopefully final) relocation to a purpose-built campus in 2015.  Spreading over 30,000 square meters, the campus provides "well-furnished, tech-rich" classrooms, specialised facilities including well-resourced science labs, computer labs and specialized Mac labs, and a Media center for reading and research. The Library and Media Center (LMC), which functions as the school's information center, is a hub of learning, with more than 18,000 items in its collection. The LMC operates a research lab with WiFi hotspots and free open space, in addition to which LMC uses a sophisticated database program to aid students in locating items.

Further facilities include an auditorium, multi-purpose room, activity center/canteen, clinic and health facilities.  Students have access to covered playgrounds. 

Sports and exercise are an integral part of the school day and ISG Dammam's facilities are set within an outdoor campus including a soccer field.  The school also has two air-conditioned gymnasiums that can accommodate indoor sports, including basketball and volleyball.

The Buzz

According to ISG Damman, parental involvement is essential for children to succeed in school, and the school encourages all parents to become participants in their child’s educational journey.  

ISG Dammam describes itself as a “very family friendly with a very open atmosphere which is unique to international schools”.

There is an active parent group, which supports and enhances the school community through social, educational, and fund-raising activities. Any family member of an ISG Dammam student is welcome to come and get involved, enriching the community in several ways including connecting through parent and teacher social events, hosting fundraising events, and other social activities.
There is also a School Advisory Council which meets quarterly which enables parent to become more familiar with the school campus, and to make a positive impact on the school and your child's education.

If you are a parent, teacher or senior student at ISG Dammam, please share your opinions and experience with other potential members of your community and complete our Survey.

What about the fees?

Fees range from 23,050 SAR for KG1-2, to 30,550 SAR for Grades 1-5, 33,200 SAR for Grades 6-8 and 42,000 SAR for Grades 9 to 12 – all fees excluding VAT.  These are affordable fees compared with other US curriculum schools in the Eastern Province.

The school offers a standard Sibling Discount which applies across all ISG schools. Families with three or more children are eligible for a discount of 20% on tuition for the third child (and subsequent children) in the youngest grade(s) only. If parents choose to pay by installment plan, the discounted rate is applied equally to all installment payments.

There are additional fees as follows: 

An application fee of  920 SAR (800 SAR plus 15% VAT) must accompany each application. 

A non-refundable 2,500 SAR seat deposit, per student, is required to reserve a seat for the school year. This is not an additional fee as this amount is credited towards tuition.

New students enrolled in KG1 to Grade 12 are charged a non-refundable New Student Enrollment Fee of 5,000 SAR (excl. VAT). 

The school offers the possibility to pay the annual Tuition and Fees in installments through the Installment Plan Method. The associated cost for the Installment Plan is SAR 500 (excl. VAT) per student per year.

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