U.S. Education System

At OIS, we provide a rewarding educational experience for your child using the U.S. model. We believe that the United States education system is successful because of its commitment to having qualified and caring teachers, offering a personalized learning experience, educating using a holistic approach, and appreciating diversity. Learn how OIS implements each of these important elements to help students be successful and ready for university with a U.S. diploma in hand.

"Here at Oasis, the learning is done in such a way that the children learn the material and then, they are able to present the material. This really displays their knowledge and gives them the confidence in that knowledge."

Mrs. Rebecca Abner, OIS Parent

Frequently Asked Questions

Are your teachers from the United States?

All of our teachers, with the exception of the foreign language teachers, have U.S. certifications in their respective subject areas. The U.S. requires every teacher to complete a set of courses, pass tests, and obtain practical teaching experience before granting them a teaching license with subject area certifications. In addition, every teacher has experience teaching in American or international schools and complete ongoing professional learning throughout the year.

However, our teachers aren’t just qualified, they’re caring too! Our teachers love their students!

Since our teachers are qualified and caring, they have the necessary skills to address your child’s needs and, consequently, to have the greatest impact on your child’s success. Visit Our Faculty and Staff page to meet the OIS teachers.

What type of testing or assessment is used with U.S. Curriculum?

Academic Assessments

Graded homework, classwork, project work, presentations, and exams in varying percentages determine a student's final grade in a class. OIS employs a variety of classroom assessment styles, allowing educators to develop a more comprehensive understanding of students' knowledge and skills. This, in turn, helps identify individual strengths and weaknesses, informs instructional strategies, and provides targeted support for student learning.

Measures of Academic Progress

Conducted throughout the academic year, a MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) assessment measures a student’s proficiency in math, literacy, and science against grade-level standards. Based on a student’s current achievement results, MAP also predicts (with guidance from a teacher) how much growth a student should achieve over the coming year. One important way of measuring this is to determine what percentage of students met or exceeded growth targets. These assessments are not recorded on a student's grade card but are used to provide academic guidance.

Semester Summative Assessments

Semester Summative Assessments are designed to evaluate the knowledge, skills, and understandings that a student has developed over an entire semester in the course. These assessments are meant to allow students to demonstrate their cumulative learning.

Semester Assessments are

Cumulative in nature
Mandatory for core classes: Language Arts, Science, Math, Social Studies. Other classes may administer a semester exam under the following circumstances: the exam is cumulative, the exam is approved by the principals, the exam is administered outside of the scheduled exam days (i.e. the last week of school).

What are AP courses?

AP Program Benefits

At OIS, an Advanced Placement (AP) program is available to provide OIS students with university-level academic courses that give them an advantage when applying to top colleges and universities around the world.

The Advanced Placement (AP) program is the most widely used academic program in the world. AP is operated by The College Board, an organization whose mission is to connect students to university success and opportunity. The College Board also administers the PSAT and SAT programs. AP courses are not mandatory for OIS students. Students in 10th grade through 12th grade are eligible to take AP courses once they have passed pre-requisite courses.

The AP program provides students with university-level academic courses, giving them a head start when entering tertiary education. Students who take AP courses show universities they are serious about their education and are capable of performing well at the university level. AP students refine their critical thinking, time management, and study skills while still in high school. Due to their rigorous nature, AP courses earn higher grade point averages. Additionally, by earning university credits while in high school and skipping introductory courses when starting university, students can easily save money on tuition, study abroad, or double major. Lastly, AP class sizes are typically much smaller than regular courses, allowing students to have more individualized instruction from their specially-trained teachers.

What is different about U.S. Curriculum?

Personalized Learning Experience

OIS offers a personalized learning experience by providing an innovative academic model of teaching and learning. Classes are rooted in content and skills that align with standards. The standards are designed to challenge students academically as well as to encourage them to think critically and demonstrate creativity. Building 21st century learning skills is accomplished with the help of technology. However, we know that all children aren’t the same and all children don’t learn the same. Therefore, our teachers differentiate instruction in their classes, and our flexible learning environment helps to facilitate different styles of teaching. For advanced high school students, OIS offers the Advanced Placement (AP) Program. To learn more about our education program, please visit our Learning page as well as our pages for the Elementary School, Middle School, and High School.

Holistic Approach

As a parent, you are aware that there is much more to your child than their intellect. OIS focuses on various dimensions of a child including:

Mental

By offering a personalized learning experience to every student, OIS aims to meet your child’s intellectual needs. To learn more about learning at OIS, click here.

Social

OIS provides opportunities both in the classroom and outside the school walls for social development. While working on group work in class, competing in rugby, or taking a tour of a local museum, students will be in safe, everyday situations that require them to interact with others, manage their behavior, make decisions, and resolve conflict. With the help of teachers, students will learn how to develop healthy friendship skills, social values, and empathy.

Physical

Starting at an early age, OIS teaches the importance of how play and proper rest are vital to the educational experience and actually allow kids to function better at their academic tasks. OIS considers how long students sit at their desks without moving along with how many breaks, recesses, and PE sessions students have in a day. In addition, OIS offers a competitive sports program and extracurricular activities to promote students’ physical health.

Moral

Pastoral care is available at OIS. All of our staff and teachers are a living model of good character, providing an example for the students. Also, our teachers are invested in the students’ lives; outside the classroom, teachers serve as coaches, club leaders, and mentors in an effort to help students identify positive character traits and live as people of character. If needed, academic and social guidance are available.

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