Beyond The Ordinary Prospectus 2019-2020
Welcome from the Principal Choosing the right school to bring out the best in your child is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. At Raha International School, a member of the Taaleem family of schools, we believe that a successful education is all about inspired, imaginative teaching, centred on the learner as an individual. We nurture students not only to achieve academic success but also to become true global citizens. Raha is an International Baccalaureate World School catering for all grades from Early Years 1 to Grade 12. Our school community is made up of over 2,000 students from over 80 nations who collectively speak 45 mother tongues. We pride ourselves on being a big school but a small family! Raha is the first school in Abu Dhabi to achieve accreditation in the full IB curriculum. The IB is internationally acclaimed and respected for its relevance to today’s multicultural and increasingly global society. We are also one of only a few schools, and the first K-12 school in Abu Dhabi, to be awarded the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) highest rating of “Outstanding”, an amazing achievement for our staff and students. Our programmes feature an inquiry approach that aligns student interest with what they learn, thereby enriching their natural curiosity and promoting a love of learning. Our team of internationallyexperienced, skilled and passionate teachers model the attributes of the IB Learner Profile and encourage students to “respect themselves, others and the world around them”. A strong sense of common purpose pervades our learning community. We believe that trust and strong parental participation are an integral part of a quality education and we see parents as our partners in their children’s learning journey. Thank you for your expression of interest in Raha International School and look forward to welcoming you and your family.
Iain Colledge
About Taaleem Taaleem was founded in 2004 in Dubai and is one of the largest education providers in the United Arab Emirates. Taaleem’s main activity is the development and management of early childhood, primary and secondary schools. Taaleem, which means ‘education’ in Arabic, is committed to inspiring students and helping them to identify and develop their passions and talents. Taaleem recruit the best international teachers who are capable of delivering our international curricula in a creative and engaging manner. Taaleem seeks to raise the educational standards in the region. The combined experience of its core team of senior education leaders in international education policy, operations and global management best practices means Taaleem is well positioned to ensure the creation of truly exceptional schools that satisfy the most comprehensive and exacting education developmental requirements.
Mission To transcend the ordinary and be the highest performing school in the UAE by: • • • •
Empowering and equipping individuals to excel Providing a happy, caring and inclusive community Inspiring authentic and thoughtful action, locally and globally Creating a passion for lifelong, inquiry-based learning
Vision To fulfil dreams by providing an ‘exceptional educational journey’, ensuring individual success in an ever-changing global context. To develop a global community whose members are: • • • • •
Inquirers Knowledgable Thinkers Communicators Principled
• • • • •
Open-minded Caring Risk-takers Balanced Reflective
A Short History
2006
The first students start school at the newly opened campus
2013
2009
Raha student receives the Abu Dhabi Award for his public service campaign that screened students for scoliosis
Raha International School is authorised to offer the Diploma Programme
2010
Raha International School is authorised to offer the Primary Years Programme and Middle Years Programme. Raha is now an IB Continuum school
2011
First students graduate from Raha Internamtional School
2012
Raha alumna becomes the first Emirati from NYUAD to be awarded the Fulbright Foreign Student Scholarship
2015
Raha International School is the first K-12 school in Abu Dhabi to be awarded the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge’s (ADEK) highest rating of ‘Outstanding’
2014
2 Raha MYP students’ short films are shown at the 2015 Children’s International Film Festival
Raha Grade 5 students are invited to exhibit their artwork at the Manarat Al Saadiyat art museum Raha International School is accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS)
2016
Raha student is accepted to Oxford University
2018
Raha International School is awarded the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge’s (ADEK) highest rating of ‘Outstanding’ for a second time Raha student is accepted to Stanford University
2019
Raha Principal Iain Colledge is awarded the Bett MEA Leadership Award - K12, awarded to “an individual or institution that is transforming education across the Middle East & Africa in the K-12 sector”
Raha is awarded ‘Best IB School’ in the UAE at the Top School Awards Construction for the Raha International School, Khalifa City Campus begins
Beyond
2020
When will you begin your
journey?
250+ Staff members
2200+
Students on campus
60 Languages spoken by students
5
82
Student Nationalities
University Acceptances
Quick Facts
Teacher Nationalities
1 : 13 Teacher Student Ratio
Mother Tongue Programmes
100%
15
The School has been open
13
years
Why is the IB ideal for students to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners? In our dynamic and nurturing Early Years children are given opportunities to construct and expand their knowledge and understanding through shared experiences, play and discovery in an organised, safe and stimulating environment.
The Primary Years Programme focuses on the development of the whole child by addressing social, physical, emotional, cultural and academic needs for learners. It is designed to build upon the natural curiosity of the child and to develop individuals who are both independent learners and international citizens.
The Middle Years Programme aims to help students develop their personal understanding, emerging sense of self and responsibility in their community. It provides a framework of learning which encourages students to become creative, critical and reflective thinkers.
The Diploma Programme is a two-year, academically challenging, rigorous and balanced programme that prepares students for success at university and life beyond. It has been designed to address the intellectual, social, emotional and physical well-being of young adults. It also prepares students for effective participation in a rapidly evolving and increasingly global society.
Learn more at ibo.org
Facilities Raha International School is situated on 14 acres of beautifully landscaped property with world-class facilities
Auditorium with Stage and Orchestra Pit
Art Studios and Kiln Room
Chemistry, Physics and Biology Labs
Dance Studio
3 Well-Equipped Gymnasiums
Digital Design Hub
25m Swimming Pool and Beginners’ Pool
Performance Gym
Dining Hall and Secondary Deli
Music Studios and Practice Rooms
Numerous Play Spaces
3 Libraries
Raptors Nest Parent and Visitors CafĂŠ
Product Design Studios
Wellbeing Spaces
School Life Osrah Arabic for ‘family’, the aim of our ‘Osrah’ system is to provide our students with a sense of belonging, spirit and purpose at Raha International School. It encourages team motivation and ensures all our students aspire to become fully rounded young people, both inside and outside of school. Students will have a sense of ownership for their ‘Osrah’ through a range of sporting and cultural events and competitions.
Language Support At Raha we offer an ‘English as an Additional Language’ (EAL) support programme. The purpose of this programme is to assist students whose first language is not English. The EAL students’ progress is monitored, and they can enter and exit the programme as needed. Flexible support options are available depending on the needs of each student.
Inclusion The inclusion programme is offered to students who have learning difficulties. Our dedicated team of specialists support children with personalised intervention and support delivered through either in-class support, individual or small group teaching.
Extra-Curricular Programme Raha has always placed a huge emphasis on its Extra-curricular Programme (ECP). It is often said that shared activities outside regular scheduled school hours create the strongest memories, and with this in mind the activities offered by the school are many and varied. A sample of activities on offer include: Creative Writing, Choir, Robotics, Yoga, Golf, Arabic Calligraphy, Mad Science, and much more.
Our Extra-curricular Programme activities run term-to-term.
Competitive Sports Programme Raha’s competitive sports programme is run separately to the extra-curricular programme. Competitive sports team tryouts take place at the start of each term. Students on a sports team will train at least once per week either before or after school and will also attend a fixture once per week. Raha International School is a very active member of the Abu Dhabi International School Sports Association (ADISSA) through which our tournaments and competitions are organized.
Special Events
Raha and the Parent Team host several events throughout the Academic Year to celebrate our community, including: International Day, National Day, the Global Explorers Scavenger Hunt, Raha’s Got Talent and much more.
University of Aberdeen, Abertay University, Aberystwyth University, Angila Ruskin University, Aston University, Birmingham, Bangor University, University of Bath, Bath Spa University , University of Birmingham , Birmingham City University, Bournemouth University, University of Bradford, University of Brighton, University of Bristol, Brunel University, University of Cambridge, Cardiff University, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London, University of Chester, University College London, Coventry University, University of Cumbria, University of Cattolica, De Montfort University, University of Derby, University of Dundee, University of East Anglia, University of East London, University of Edinburgh, University of Exeter, University of Glasgow, The Glasgow School of Art, Goldsmiths, University of London, Heriot-Watt University, University of Hertfordshire, University of Hull, Imperial College London, University of Kent, King’s College London, Kingston University, Lancaster University, University of Leeds, Leeds Beckett University , Leeds Metropolitan University, University of Leicester, University of Liverpool, Liverpool Hope University, Liverpool John Moores University, London College of Fashion , University of the Arts London, London Metropolitan University, London School of Economics, London South Bank University, University of Manchester, The Manchester Metropolitan University, Medipathways College, Middlesex University, University of Northampton, Newcastle University, Northumbria University, Nottingham Trent University, University of Nottingham, University of Oxford, Oxford Brooke’s University , Plymouth University, Queen Mary University of London, University of Reading, University of Roehampton, University of St. Andrews, SAE Institute London, University of Salford, University of Southampton, University of Stirling, Slade School of Fine Art, University College London, University of Surrey, University of Sussex, Swansea University, Teeside University, University of Warwick, University of Westminister, London, Robert Gordon University, Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne, Franklin College Switzerland, Glion Institute of Higher Education, Les Roches International School First graduating of Hotel Management,class University of Alberta, Bishop’s University, University of British Columbia, Brock University, University of Calgary, Concordia University, University of Guelph, McGill University, McMaster University, Queen’s University, Ryerson University, SAE Institute Vancouver, Simon Fraser University, University of Toronto, Vancouver Film School, University of Waterloo, Western University, University of Number of DP Western Ontario, York University, American University of Sharjah, Canadian University Dubai, Heriot-Watt students in 2019/2020 University Dubai, Higher Colleges of Technology, Middlesex University Dubai, New York University Abu Dhabi, Paris Sorbonne Abu Dhabi, Rochester Institute of Technology Dubai, University of Wollongong Dubai, University of Amsterdam, The Design Academy of Eindhoven, Erasmus University Rotterdam, University of Groningen, Leiden University, Maastricht University, Sciences Po, Holland, University of Twente, University of Utrecht, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Willem de Kooning Academy, Thammasat University, Royal College of Surgeons Ireland, Bahrain , Tokyo International University, École nationale supérieure des arts décoratifs (EnsAD), Paris College of Art, Université Paris Descartes, Trinity College Dublin, Royal College of Surgeons, University of Cape Town, Orms Cape Town School of Photography, University of Stellenbosch, Varsity College, Wits University, Leuven, University of Leuven, IE University, Average total pointsMadrid, Universidad Europea, Class of KU 2020 achieved in 2019 of Bocconi, Istituto Maragoni La Salle Ramon Llul University, Barcelona, Universidad de Navarra, University Milano, Humanitas University Milan, Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti Milano University , Griffith University, University of Melbourne, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Queensland University of Technology, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), University of Sydney, University of Technology Sydney, University of Western Australia, University of Wollongong, IUBH Campus Studies, Hochschule Fresenius, Universitat Heidelberg, University of Malaya, Montanuniversität Leoben, University of Jordan, University 2019of Pass Rate of Auckland, Christchurch Polytechnic Institute Technology, American University of Beirut, St. George’s University, American College of Greece, Ewha Womans University, Dankook University, VIT University, University of Arizona, Binghamton University, Boston University, Bryant University, California College of Number of DP the Arts , University of California, Los Angeles , University of California, San Diego, Coastal Carolina courses offered Univesity, University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado State University, University of Dayton, Dartmouth College, DePaul University , East Tennessee State University, Emerson College, Florida Polytechnic University, George Washington University, Georgia Tech, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Hofstra University, Hult International Business School, San Francisco, Illinois State University, University of Iowa, Iowa State University, Loyola University Chicago, University of Maryland, Midwestern University, University of Minnesota, Montana Tech., New York University, North Carolina Wilmington, Ohio State University, Parsons School of Design, Penn State, Purdue University, Ringling College of Art and Design, School of Art Institute of Chicago, Stanford University, Stetson University, Virginia Tech, Washington State University, College of Wooster
2011
244
103
45
31.8
94%
Raha Graduates Our Diploma Programme graduates have gone on to attend some of the top universities all around the world, spanning 20 countries across 5 continents. Even more importantly, approximately 90% of Raha graduates are accepted to their top choice university. The amazing diversity in world destinations is reflected from our students’ chosen careers in medicine, engineering, sciences, law, economics, business, education, nursing, fashion, hotel management, politics, and art. Raha students will be making a global impact and contributing to numerous industries around the world in the years to come. A full list of university acceptances is available at www.ris.ae A list of country recognition statements that outline the specific recognition considerations of the Diploma Programme for each country is available at www.ibo.org
Raha’s Exceptional Journey In 2015/2016 and 2017/2018, Raha was awarded the top ADEK rating of ‘Outstanding’. As a school which always seeks to move forward, we have been working on how the school moves from ‘Outstanding’ to Exceptional. This is not an ADEK rating but a personal milestone to continue improving. Our goals are set below:
INITIATE
Promote and develop student and staff leadership across the school.
EXPERIENCE
Provide more opportunities for international trips, work experience and support of the global community.
INVITE
Host a variety of outstanding community events to further enhance the school’s profile.
TAKE RISKS
Empower our community to be secure enough to take risks and build resilience.
PERFORM
Showcase the Arts as a flagship part of our identity in order to become globally recognised for excellence.
COMPETE
Develop students to excel and increase participation in sporting and non-sporting events, including international competitions.
DEVELOP
Foster partnerships with schools and universities to share best practice and support professional development.
EMBRACE
Nurture an appreciation for language and culture of our home and host countries; promoting international mindedness.
EXPAND
Develop image to become a world renowned multi-campus school.
RESEARCH
Ensure best practice through action and evidence-based research.
DO YOU KNOW WHERE RAHA IS GOING?
Beyond Raha We are absolutely delighted to announce that we will be opening a second campus in September 2020. The new campus is being built to satisfy the exceptionally high demand for places at Raha International School (RIS), a Taaleem school, and the ever-increasing popularity of the International Baccalaureate curriculum. It will be located in Khalifa City, near to the current Raha Gardens Campus and has been designed by Architects CPG from Singapore, who have built award winning educational facilities globally, with sustainability as a key driver in the design. The state-of-the-art campus will include outstanding sporting facilities including an 8 lane 25-metre swimming pool, a double size gym with indoor running track and football pitches. There will be a separate Early Years Centre with emphasis on safe, innovative and integrated outdoor learning spaces. This enhancement in provision and educational facilities will benefit all of our (current and future) students as well as creating the space and environment in which our staff and community will flourish.
New Campus Facilities Students from both campuses will benefit from new, world-class facilities.
Double-size Gym with Indoor Running Track
An 8 lane 25m Swimming Pool
Football Pitches
Dedicated Early Years Centre
Why are we expanding? Demand To meet the demand for our highly oversubscribed school. To meet the demand for the ever-increasing popularity of the IB curriculum in the UAE and worldwide
Enhancement Enhancement in provision and educational facilities for all of our current and future students. Creating the environment for the long term in which our students, staff and community can flourish.
Extension Extension of our programmes (and choice of studies/subjects) to advance our students and prepare them for their future. Broaden opportunities for learning and preparation for life.
Join our family We invite you to apply to join us at Raha International School by visiting our website.
www.ris.ae Applications open in September for the following academic year. Tours are available on request. Fees are available on our website.
+971 (0)2 556 1567
admissions@ris.ae
Raha International School Raha Gardens, Khalifa City Abu Dhabi, UAE