Internal Examinations
Students sit for internal school-generated examinations throughout their school lives. In addition to end-of-term and end-of-year exams, students are tested during the term: from Level C to Level F (~5+ to 8+ years of age), students take Continuous Assessment Tests. From Level E, students sit for a multiple-choice test in most of the core subjects each week, and written exams in each subject a minimum of twice a term. Students may also be required to sit Re-take and/or Make-up exams. All exams are closely proctored.
Continuous Assessment Tests (CAT)
A CAT is taken in each subject twice a term. This series of tests is administered over a period of one week. CATs help to monitor student learning and allow for academic progress reports.
Academic Monitoring System tests (AMS)
These are multiple-choice and computer-corrected. They test the simplest units of information of the course. They are administered on a weekly basis and are designed to detect gaps, and allow follow-up to be timely and student-specific.
Periodic Exams
Written exams, taken on a weekly basis. These may also include some objective questions. Students sit for two to four Periodic exams a term in each of the core subjects.
Re-Take Exams
Students who do not master the basic essential concepts are required to re-study the relevant essential concepts and si for another exam at the discretion of the administration.
Make-up Exams
In the case of student absence, the Administration reserves the right to decide whether or not a make-up exam is required.
Homework
Homework is an essential part of students' education. Homework allows students to review and reinforce the concepts they have learned in class and it provides them with the extra reinforcement that is a necessary part of the learning process.
Until Term 3 of Level F (~8+ years of age), homework is not assigned. Younger students are, however, encouraged to read at home.
Home/Private Tuition
It is a goal of the school to foster students whose love of learning and whose ability to learn independently make them life-long learners. Parents are, therefore, strongly discouraged from teaching their children at home, or from employing a private tutor as such an action could be counter-productive and undermine the goal of the school. If and when help is needed, parents are advised to discuss the issue with the administration.
Preparing Students for an IT Future
SABIS® prepares students to face the future by exposing them to and teaching them to utilize state-of-the-art technology to the full. Students in the SABIS® School Network:
- Attend computer courses which include learning to use both software and hardware
- May access the Internet for research or study purposes: some online courses are offered giving 'SABIS® students' anywhere in the world the opportunity to review material and to study the courses offered
- Benefit from computer exposure such asin computer clubs and the computerized reading program used and, in some cases, video-conferencing
Discipline
SABIS® is a caring community that strongly believes in the principles of respect, responsibility and accountability. The goal of the disciplinary code is to foster future citizens who respect themselves and others and who are responsible members of society. If students contravene disciplinary codes, they are held accountable. All students, without exception, must accept the consequences of their actions and be responsible for improving their behavior.
A high level of self-discipline and socially responsible behavior are expected at all times. The disciplinary code is strict; however, it is fair. Disciplinary action, which is always appropriate to the offence, is used in a positive, logical and consistent manner. Detention is the most commonly used form of punishment. Students may be detained within school hours, after school or during weekends and for increasingly longer periods. Corporal punishment is never used. Parents are also made aware of disciplinary issues and, as necessary, requested to be a part of the solution.
Attendance & Punctuality
Attendance and punctuality are essential to the SABIS® educational philosophy and standards of discipline. The methodical, staged educational instruction requires full, prompt attendance to maximize benefit. Every minute of every period, every period of every day and every day of the year contribute directly to sound learning.
Neither absence nor lateness is condoned. Students may not begin a holiday early or return to school late after a holiday. It is the responsibility of students to make up the work missed due to absence and, other than in cases of emergency, medical and dental appointments must be made outside of school hours, whenever possible. Students who have been absent or who are late for school must report to the Head Disciplinarian; they are not accepted into class without a valid excuse. The school determines whether or not a reason is valid and strict records are kept of attendance and punctuality.
The Academic Year
The academic year is divided into three terms. Within each term there are times for regular instruction, for revision and for examinations. During the period of regular instruction, students learn new material in each of their subjects, following the pacing charts set by the Administration. Revision time is also planned and paced; revision is comprehensive but selectively so. End-of-term exams take place during the last week of each term.
End of Term Reports
Parents receive three reports a year; one at the end of each term. The reports for each of the first two terms are an in-depth record of performance over the term. The final end-of-year report shows performance over the entire school year. It also includes important information relating to promotion.
Promotion
Students' academic progress is measured by exam performance. At the end of the academic year, the information obtained from the regular testing program and the end-of-term and end-of-year exams, determines promotion.
Cultural Diversity
SABIS® actively seeks cultural diversity in its student body and staff as part of its mission to "educate citizens of the world". Diversity provides students with the enriching experience of relating to children and adults from many different cultures, religions, and races. Students learn to celebrate the differences as well as the similarities.
High Achievers
When high achievers are clearly identified, they are challenged in a number of ways, all of which are aimed at deepening and broadening the scope of their knowledge.
Student Transfer within the Network
The implementation of the SABIS® Educational System facilitates student transfer. Students enter an educational environment that is familiar to them: the courses, methods, textbooks, procedures and the Student Life Organization all help them to settle down quickly and 'feel at home'. Students may transfer from one school to another within the SABIS® School Network at any time of the year, provided space is available. Parents are encouraged to check all relevant ministry regulations.
Advising
At SABIS®, advising aims at helping students to develop into responsible and constructive members of their own mini-societies, thus preparing them to become responsible and constructive citizens of the world.
We explain the philosophy and dynamics of the school and clearly point out the importance of rules and morals as the strong cornerstones on which to build a strong and healthy society.
Today's youth are being bombarded by the media at a very early and impressionable age, before they have acquired the knowledge necessary to analyze the messages they are exposed to. In interactive sessions, we try to analyze with them some of these prevailing ideas and fads and to help them distinguish between what has value and what is detrimental to society.
Advising sessions help students to think more clearly and to analyze more critically. They help build moral, ethical, and civic values and reinforce positive ideas, thus giving young people the knowledge and the strength to stand up to, and even reverse negative pressure.
Career Guidance
In The International School of Choueifat, we believe that all students can, and should, strive to acquire the skills needed for a successful future. The school aspires to empower its students to obtain the information, expertise, proficiency, and mind-set to realize and positively enhance their own life career development. The school program promotes exploration of various educational and occupational interests, and prepares and trains students to make wise and informed decisions.
All upper grade students, from Grades 8 - 12, receive counseling about entry into university. They are offered updated information on new and future prospects and study opportunities that open a wide vista of opportunities to them. With the help of a career counselor, they get the advice and guidance needed to make an appropriate choice of career.