A’Takamul International School (ATIS) was founded in 1993, with a vision to create a synergy between modern western education and Islamic values and Kuwaiti traditions. The idea inspired the naming of the day school A’Takamul, the Arabic word for integration. This day school’s founders believed that the most successful way to provide the best American curriculum to the children of Kuwait was to base it in their own culture and ethos.
To promote continuous improvement of student achievement as well as a quality education recognized and accepted internationally, ATIS earned accreditation from the State of Kuwait’s Ministry of Private Education, the American International Accreditation Association of Schools and Colleges, and Cognia. The school is also a member of Association for the Advancement of International Education and The Educational Collaborative for International Schools.
ATIS currently enrolls 2,750 students of 10 nationalities, the majority of whom are Kuwaiti or from surrounding countries. Four percent of the students come from North America and the U.K. Divided into Kindergarten, Elementary, and Middle and High School Departments, the school offers the U.S. Common Core curriculum as well as the British curriculum leading to A levels. Advanced Placement courses are also offered in the high school. The teaching staff of 225 includes 60 educators from Kuwait, 145 from North America, and 20 teachers from the U.K.
ATIS offers a variety of teacher-sponsored after-school clubs during the year. The Performing Arts Center, arts rooms, computers with interactive projectors, and ICT labs support the school’s budding intellectuals, engineers, and creatives. Students interested in various aspects of journalism—writing, layout, sales, advertising, proof-reading, editing, photography, bookkeeping, etc.—are able gain practical experience while developing their own abilities making student publications. ATIS Student Council, Senior Committee Student Council, and Senior Committee promote school spirit and leadership among students.
Students at ATIS can choose from many different athletic offerings. Elementary students Grades 3–5 receive a list of after-school activities at the beginning of each year. Basketball, hockey, football, table tennis, and swimming, along with the opportunity to join one of the school’s teams for inter-school competitions, make after-school time exciting. A member of the Kuwait Foreign Schools Athletics Conference organization (KFSAC), the school takes part in competitions for girls and boys of middle and high school age: volleyball, soccer, indoor soccer, basketball, table tennis, and swimming, which is easily accessible thanks to the school’s large, indoor, heated swimming pool.
ATIS prefers to hire single teachers and teaching couples. However, they would consider couples with a non-teaching partner, interns, veteran teachers lacking certification, those certified in non-English speaking countries, and exceptional, newly-certified candidates. Teachers must hold their academic degree in the subject they will be teaching. Candidates up to the age of 55 may obtain a work visa.
Benefits include school-provided housing or an allowance towards housing elsewhere. Tuition is free for a teacher’s first two children and discounted at 50% for the third child. Another bonus is membership for teachers’ children to academic and non-academic clubs. The school provides professional development (PD) through Educational Collaborative for International Schools and other organizations. Health care is covered entirely if the employee uses government hospitals, clinics, and providers. Life insurance, dental, emergency evacuation, and long-term disability are also covered. Finally, there are local employment opportunities for non-teaching partners. This package is a chance for some good savings or the chance for a family of four to live on one salary.
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Please note: The information presented about this school was valid on the date published. This information may change, and the most up-to-date information can be found on the school profile.
