Headmaster's Letter

I want to welcome you to the ICARDA International School of Aleppo web site. We have done a complete revision of the site and hope you will enjoy the different pages that contain information and pictures of our institution and its programs.

IISA is a co-educational day school owned and operated by the International Center for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (ICARDA). The school began soon after ICARDA opened its research station near Aleppo in 1977. Originally the school served the children of ICARDA scientists who come from 30 different nations. But soon the school expanded its scope to include children who needed an international education in English, many of whom are Syrian. It is located on the edge of Aleppo , a city of 3 million inhabitants, reputed to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world (~5000 years).

Our school has 268 students from Pre-School to grade 12. In the Elementary School the Primary Years Program of the International Baccalaureate Organization is now in its fourth year and is fully operational. The curriculum at the middle levels follows a blended US/UK approach. At the High School level, the students blend the IGCSE and IB with North American style electives. All students work for an American diploma and may also elect to sit for IB certificates or the IB diploma. There is also a school wide community service program that coincides with the Community Action Service component of the IB.

The school year begins in late August and ends in mid-June. It consists of 180 instructional days.

The school week runs from Sunday to Thursday with a daily schedule from 08:00 – 15:15. After school activities last until 17:00. Transportation is available for both the regular academic day and the extra-curricular programs.

The teaching staff is fully certified with the majority of the teachers from North America and Syria . The remainder of the teachers come from the UK , Australia , New Zealand and France .

Please enjoy your virtual visit to our school. Please feel free to contact us should you have questions, comments or wish additional information.

Sincerely,

Robert E. Thompson

IISA School Head