Academic Heritage

The ICARDA International School of Aleppo (IISA) was founded in 1977 by the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA). Under the terms of an agreement signed with the Syrian Government to serve the children of its senior staff, IISA is the only independent English medium school in Aleppo . The school began with only eight students and until 1987, there was no high school. The school has seen periods of rapid growth and has a present population of around 260 students. Local students (Syrian and permanent foreign residents) comprise about two-thirds of the total school population.

Located at the present site since 1987, the school shares spacious grounds with the residence of ICARDA's Director General and the ICARDA Sports and Social Club.

The school is fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools in the United States and is authorized to offer International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) at the end of 10 th grade and International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma at the end of 12 th grade. The Elementary School offers the International Baccalaureate's Primary Years Program (PYP).