American Program

An Overview 

The American Program offers international education based on U.S. standards. This program seeks to cultivate compassionate and respectful lifelong learners who are ready for higher education and future careers, armed with critical thinking and research skills, problem-solving abilities, and a strong sense of community responsibility. 

Eligibility to register in the American Program 

American Program Students are allowed to pursue the American program legally and officially in Lebanon if they have previously obtained an exemption from the Lebanese curriculum and meet one of the following criteria:  

– They are Lebanese students and have successfully completed, outside Lebanon, three grades in basic education, or two consecutive grades in middle school and/or high school.  

– They are non-Lebanese students or Lebanese individuals with foreign nationality.  

Curriculum Content 

1. Middle School (AP 6 – 9): 

• Core Subjects: English Language, Mathematics, Sciences, and Social Studies. 

• Other Subjects: Arabic as a Foreign Language – French Language L3 – Informatics – Religion – Arts – Drama – Physical Education – EdTech – Community Service  

* Arabic as a Foreign Language and French are taught according to levels determined by students’ achievement on a placement test done at the beginning of the academic year. 

2. High School (AP 10-12): 

• Core Subjects: English Language, Mathematics, Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, and Physics), and Social Studies. 

• Other Subjects: Arabic as a Foreign Language – French Language L3 – Psychology –  Informatics – Arts – Physical Education – EdTech – Community Service. 

* Students are prepared to sit for the SAT within the English and Math classes.  

Technology Integration 

• Digital Literacy: Instruction on using technology responsibly and effectively. 

• Online Learning: Online platforms are incorporated into the teaching of math, science, and social studies. 

Assessment methods and criteria 

• Formative assessment: A range of evaluation methods used by the teachers to monitor student learning and provide ongoing feedback during the instructional process. Its primary purpose is to improve student understanding and performance rather than to assign grades. 

• Summative assessment to measure student learning at the end of an instructional period. Its primary goal is to determine whether students have achieved the intended learning outcomes and to assign grades.  

• Project-Based Learning: Emphasis on critical thinking and problem-solving through projects and presentations. 

Graduation Degree 

After completing AP 12, American Program students graduate with a High School Diploma. They enroll in a Freshman program at a university. (This information is cited from the website of the Lebanese Republic – Ministry of Education and Higher Education).  

*The school is working towards obtaining a license to teach the American curriculum from the NEASC organization.  

About NEASC 

“The New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) is an independent, voluntary, nonprofit membership organization which partners with over 1500 public, independent, and international schools in the US and worldwide to assess, support, and promote high quality education for all students through accreditation, professional assistance, and pursuit of best practices. NEASC aspires to provide a process for meaningful, ongoing whole school improvement while honoring the unique culture and context of each institution we support.” * 

NEASC accreditation 

“Grounded in the experience and expertise of practicing educators since 1885, NEASC Accreditation is a respected, effective, and time-tested methodology for school improvement and growth. It is not a single event, but rather an ongoing, voluntary cycle of comprehensive internal and external assessments, short- and long-term strategic planning, and periodic reporting sustained by professional partnership and support. It is intended to serve as a framework for schools to meet their own unique goals for student learning while maintaining alignment with research-based Standards for Accreditation that define the characteristics of high quality, effective learning communities. It also serves to assess the systems in place for ongoing institutional self-reflection and a school’s commitment to and capacity for continuous growth and/or transformation.” * 

*Excerpts from https://www.neasc.org/  

Our students’ curricular and extracurricular classes and activities 

In the Museum visit – (Social Studies) 

American Program middle and high school students explored history and culture during their educational field trip to the Beirut National Museum. 

Drama 

In the opening video, students reflect on their drama sessions throughout the year, showcasing their growth in self-confidence and self-esteem. They share personal insights, highlighting how participation in drama has empowered them to express themselves more confidently and embrace their individuality. 

In the second video, students share their thoughts on Palestine, demonstrating a deep sense of empathy and understanding. Their reflections reveal a heightened awareness of the situation, as they express solidarity and compassion for those affected.  

In the Science labs 

Community Service  

Students from the sixth and seventh grades of the American Program proposed organizing a “bake sale” and donated its profits to the Children’s Cancer Center in Beirut (CCCL). Ms. Aya Younes attended, received the funds, and shared the center’s goals and operations with the students.