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Academics

What we teach

Our instructional continuum begins with a holistic approach to learning, based on Finnish pedagogy in the primary years, transitioning to project-based, experiential learning in the middle years.

Our high school program of study exposes students to rigorous, college preparatory courses with an opportunity for students to be challenged by the unique academic content of the International Baccalaureate Diploma, which connect directly to our 5Cs. At every level of instruction, Dar Essalam American School provides a comprehensive counseling and student support program, which allows for all students to learn through a variety of modalities.

Learning at Dar Essalam American School promotes students' skills in:

Creative and critical thinking

Problem-solving

Understanding different viewpoints

Ethical decision-making

Proactive and interactive goal-setting

Learning Spaces

Created by the world-renowned American architectural firm, FXCollaborative, in partnership with Omar Alaoui, Morocco’s preeminent architect, the school is designed with modular and agile spaces to offer total flexibility for learning activities.

State-of-the-art spaces include the Black Box Theater, where students will have the freedom to explore traditional and alternative performance techniques, express their art in different forms, and organize events; and the Makerspace, a universe dedicated to design, exploration, and experimentation, where learners will familiarize themselves with the latest technology equipment.

These specially designed environments for learning and growth provide a link between instruction and interests. Activities will be offered and promoted in the areas of athletics, visual arts, music, and theater. Students will also be encouraged to pursue new avenues such as community outreach services, student leadership, and mentoring. The intersection of curricular and co-curricular activities will be a central part of the extended community at Dar Essalam.

Our teachers

Relationships. Teachers. More often, research tells us that the relationship students develop with their teachers goes a long way to making a difference in their educational success.

This idea has guided us as we recruited our teachers for Dar Essalam American School. Our teaching staff this first year is made up of teachers with extensive international teaching practice. They have over 16 years, on average, of teaching experience.

Hailing from the UK, Australia, the US and Finland, we have gathered a strong group of educators who are ready to do their finest work here in Morocco. We are excited to introduce them to you! 

Jaana Errajia

ELEMENTARY TEACHER

Christopher Borges

VOCAL MUSIC AND CHOIR TEACHER

Satu Labigne

ELEMENTARY TEACHER

Ingrid Kopke Donado

SCIENCE TEACHER

Zineb Benmakhlouf

TEACHING ASSISTANT

Lodi Pertovt

ENGLISH TEACHER

Elisabeth Lefort

FRENCH COORDINATOR ET TEACHER

Gavin Hopwood

MATH TEACHER

Adam Benabbès

FRENCH LANGUAGE TEACHER

Alex Maros

ELEMENTARY TEACHER

William Watter

COLLEGE COUNSELOR

Sanna Aman

LIFE X-PERIENCE TEACHER

Shalin Guillen

PREK TEACHER

Alisha Brizicky

ENGLISH AS AN ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE TEACHER (EAL)

Chris Kelly

DRAMA ARTS TEACHER

Diaritza Diaz

TEACHING ASSISTANT

Annie Almekinder

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

Léo Lefort

VISUAL ARTS TEACHER

Adil El Megaless

ARABIC TEACHER

Michelena McPherson

ELEMENTARY TEACHER

John Ariail

SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER

Ali Bougrine

Health and Physical Education Teacher

Mohammed Omari

ARABIC TEACHER

Chantal Butzbach

ELEMENTARY TEACHER

Heather Purcell

SCHOOL LIBRARIAN

Megan Skaggs

ELEMENTARY TEACHER

Raija Perttunen

ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL

Kim Ariail

ENGLISH AS AN ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE TEACHER (EAL)

Meriem Bellamine

TEACHING ASSISTANT

Laurent Labigne

WELLNESS (PE) TEACHER

Andrew Thompson

ATHLETICS AND CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR

Tinja Heimo

LEARNING SUPPORT TEACHER

Bouchra Slaoui

LIBRARY ASSISTANT

Lyubov Borisova Waters

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL COUNSELOR

Benjamin Newton

MAKERSPACE TEACHER

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

We begin our early years program with four year olds. Along with our Kindergarten classes, they will be our youngest group to start their journey with many hands-on and active learning experiences with a teacher and assistant in each classroom.

Students in grades 1 to 5 will be assigned to a homeroom teacher and a grade level assistant. They will combine core subject lessons in math, science, social studies and English with supplemental learning in art, music, crafts and physical education. Their time is not limited to in class work, but also outdoor learning experiences with much time for recreation and movement activities. Students will be exposed to the Arabic and French languages from the early years program, through song, dance and storytelling. They will continue in subject classes for both languages with additional opportunities to practice the language during selected units for classes in art, music and other subjects.

Our Cultural and Entrepreneurial paths begin in these elementary years and provide students with true experiences in Moroccan culture as it relates to their learning objectives.

In the middle years of grades 6 to 8, students go through a transition that expects more independence and responsibility.

At this level, core classes are taught by a variety of teachers and students must move from room to room, with materials and supplies needed. Similar supplemental classes are offered, although there is more choice and unique opportunities. This is where our Makerspace curriculum will begin in earnest, as well as lessons on daily living skills through our Life X-perience course. Language learning continues for these years, with an emphasis on literacy and conversation in both Arabic and French.

During these 3 years of learning, students will continue on the cultural and entrepreneurial exploration of Morocco, with trips and experiences outside of the four walls of the school.

Our high school program begins in grade 9 and continues through grade 12. Students will be making more choices about their learning in these years, considering their preparation for the International Baccalaureate(IB).

This diploma program encompasses a set of rigorous courses that make students college-ready and puts them on the path toward success. Subjects of study include the traditional American curriculum courses in math, science and history with the international addition of language and cultural options.

We also incorporate some 21st century choices such as Robotics and Coding, as well as other elective classes. High school students will receive counseling support that builds their self-esteem and social development while also working on career planning and college selections.

During these final years of secondary schooling, students at Dar Essalam will be encouraged to find their voice and move toward their global calling.

Student Supports

We offer students learning support in the area of English language acquisition and overall academics. Our programs are inclusive and developed alongside classroom teachers and their instructional program.

Our English as an Additional Language program (EAL) provides supplemental teaching of skills that are essential to reading, writing and speaking English in the classroom. We use the teacher’s lessons to reinforce vocabulary, practice fluency and increase production in written tasks. Students will be monitored using the WIDA language assessment and will work towards a proficiency level to be independent in their core classroom learning.

Our Learning Differences program (LD) is designed to support students with mild to moderate learning needs. The services are provided to flexible groupings and are tailored to the students’ strengths and areas for development. We serve students inclusively with the classroom teacher and other staff working together to adapt lessons and create a variety of opportunities to show their learning.

Calendar

Our school year calendar has 180 instructional days, spread out over ten months. Students will be given the national Moroccan holidays, as well as breaks in the fall, winter and spring. The school year will be divided into two semesters with twice a year report cards and meetings with parents, teachers and students.

Download the 2023 full calendar
Download the 2024 full calendar

FAQ

This program is made through a synergistic collaboration of two world-class organizations. The students will experience English as their language of core instruction, French and Arabic language classes, and learner-centered academic and co-curricular activities with the focus on developing 21st-century skills. The unique features are individualized learning paths for our youngest learners, a model of innovation and practicality for global endeavors that include the skills for growing a child holistically.

Having more questions? Check out the FAQ page

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