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DAR ESSALAM AMERICAN SCHOOL IN RABAT

A UNIQUE APPROACH TO GLOBAL LEARNING

Dar Essalam American School is an international school in Rabat, Morocco, with an exclusive approach to global education, built on five hectares in the centrally-located Hay Riad neighborhood. Education Development Company (EDC), the leading provider of private education in Morocco, has expanded their expertise in school systems by creating this one-of-a-kind program. If you are looking for a school that:

Offers a unique blend of two of the most effective systems in the world, the Finnish and the American models of learning;

Promotes innovation, collaboration, community, and diversity;

Uses project-based learning as a pedagogical foundation;

Values language instruction to a highly-rigorous level of fluency and comprehension as a tool for global communication;

Explores the rich culture and history of Morocco through authentic, real-world experiences.

Then Dar Essalam American School is your best choice!

KEY FIGURES

5 Hectares

of learning spaces

3 Cultures

American, Finnish and Moroccan

85%

International staff

6

Nationalities represented

Mission and Vision

Our Mission

Dar Essalam American School is an inclusive learning community founded on a pioneering hybrid of Finnish and American curricula and pedagogical approaches, and Moroccan values and culture, which is designed to bridge the future of young minds to global thinking and innovation.

Our Vision

Our vision is to prepare and motivate our students by instilling in them critical thinking skills, respectful collaboration, and a desire to pursue our core values of creativity and caring for the people and the world around them.

Our Values

The 5Cs are critical values that are interconnected with our instructional objectives and help form our transdisciplinary curriculum. From our youngest learners to those pursuing their high school diploma, we are bringing together the values of Critical Thinking, Caring, Collaboration, Creativity, and Communication. Learning experiences will touch each of these skills areas, preparing students for the needs of our 21st century world.

DISCOVER OUR CAMPUS!​

Welcome Message from the Head of School

It is an honor to support the students at Dar Essalam American School develop as learners exemplifying the DAS student profile; students who care about the world around them and are flexibly-inclined, who work together to problem solve, whose linguistic proficiency spans many languages, who are driven to be curious and active global citizens. I see myself as a lead learner who continues to develop my skills and competencies and I am excited to collaborate with students and colleagues in further developing the fusion of the best of Finnish and American pedagogical practices while rooted in Moroccan culture and values.

My professional background includes over 30 years of both United States public school and international school experiences. My knowledge of progressive educational frameworks and many years as a teacher, principal, and head of school give me insight that I hope will inspire Dar Essalam American School to be the premier international school in Morocco and the region. With exceptional teachers, modern state-of-the-art facilities, and teaching and learning experiences that will propel students to succeed, the opportunities at DAS are exciting and immense!

Thanks!

— Dr. Dave Botbyl, Head of School
Play the video

Accreditation

Dar Essalam American School opened its doors on September 1, 2022. Like all international schools that seek accreditation from one of the 6 US accrediting organizations, this process begins once the school is open and has been operating for at least 1.5-2 years. DAS has submitted its initial application and looks forward to the next step in this process during the 2023-2024 school year.
Together with our partners, ISS and Lumo, we have already built the requirements for accreditation directly into the curriculum, as well as into the school’s program and governance structure.

About the Founder
Education Development Company (EDC)

With over 26 schools and more than 15,000 students currently enrolled, Education Development Company (EDC) is the leading provider of private education in Morocco. As an institutional operator, EDC is committed to further developing the education sector to bring it in line with global best practices of good governance and organizational structure, as well as the creation of specialized entities and boards.

Drawing on more than sixty years of experience in Casablanca, the group has gradually expanded its presence to include the Kingdom's main cities (Rabat, Tangier, El Jadida, Khouribga, Safi, Youssoufia, Marrakech), with the aim of strengthening its network of schools nationwide in the short and medium term, and then throughout Francophone Africa over the long term.

In addition to opening four new schools in September 2020, the group continues to pursue its vision through the addition of four more schools in September 2022 (Casablanca, Rabat, and, notably, its first school in Marrakech), as well as others in the coming years.

Our multi-curricula establishments cover all educational cycles (preschool, primary, secondary and higher education) with networks that have strong respective identities:

  • American network with the upcoming opening of “Dar Essalam American School” in Rabat.
  • Bilingual Moroccan network in direct management through the brands “Elbilia International” and “Elbilia Skolar” but also in delegated management through “Elbilia Management”.
  • French network approved by the AEFE through the brand “Léon l’Africain”.
  • Higher education network through the “Elbilia Sup” brand for the Classes Préparatoires aux Grandes Ecoles.
  • Tutoring network through “Les Cours Elbilia” for evening and summer courses and preparation for post-bac exams.

About EDC’s Partners
ISS and LUMO

In collaboration with two prestigious education organizations, International Schools Services (ISS) of Princeton, NJ and Lumo Education of Finland, EDC has created Dar Essalam American School.

The school blends two complementary models of instruction with a progressive character that focuses on the individual child. Central to both philosophies is the principle that each child’s potential should be maximized. This is achieved through counseling, individualized support when needed, and opportunities to learn through play and exploration.

Together with our partners ISS and Lumo, Dar Essalam American School instills in every child the desire and the drive to become lifelong learners.

Schedule a virtual or in-person appointment with a member of our admissions team.

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Dar Essalam American School

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