American School of The Hague
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| The American School of The Hague | |
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Critical Inquiry, Creative Thinking, Clear Communication, Commitment to Others
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| Location | |
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| Wassenaar, South Holland, Netherlands | |
| Information | |
| Superintendent | Rick Spradling |
| Students | approx. 1,020 |
| Faculty | approx. 150 |
| Type | Private International School |
| Grades | pre-k through 12 |
| Athletics | Baseball, Basketball, Cross-country, Swimming, Softball, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball |
| Mascot | Trojans |
| Established | 1953 |
| Arts | Theater, Photography, Visual arts, music |
| Nationalities | |
| Languages taught | |
| Homepage | http://ash.nl |
The American School of The Hague (ASH) is an American school in Wassenaar, the Netherlands, located on the Rijksstraatweg. Children can go to the school for 13 years, from kindergarten to 12th grade. However, many students come and go because it is a very international school. It is one of the four international focus schools in the area, others are the International School of The Hague, The French School in the Hague and the British School in the Netherlands in Voorschoten. It is one of three high schools in the area. There are many other elementary and middle schools in the area.
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[edit] Overview
ASH was founded in 1953. Its purpose was to provide an American style education to children of international cooperation or the Government employees.[1] The board of trustees has eleven members who are elected by the parents. The school is accredited by the Middle School Association and by the European Council of International Schools.[1] The school has three divisions, elementary school, middle school and high school.[1] In 1989 a new campus was built, next to the Rijksstraatweg in Wassenaar which was opened by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and First Lady Barbara Bush.[2]
[edit] Admissions
Students can be accepted[clarify] to ASH if the program suits the applicants need. When the applicant reaches age 12, knowledge of Academic English is required. Children entering K-1 must turn age 4 before 1 October of that year. Race, nationality, or creed are not part of the admissions criteria. Class and grade level assignment is determined by looking at past records.[3]
[edit] Schools
[edit] Elementary school
Most classes in elementary school are self contained. However, the arts, Dutch, computer, library and PE are taught by specialists. Field trips are regular and are linked back to the curriculum.[4] More than 60 teachers work in the elementary school. The current elementary school principal is Tim Messick.
There is an art program called Art Masterpiece sponsored by the Parent Teacher Association (PTA). The program allows students to make connections between great works and their personal lives.[4]. Parents introduce the students to pieces of art from different time periods and different media. The students are expected to think about what they see, about techniques and they should form opinions.[4]
The elementary wing is located at the North East side of the school, closest to the parking lot of the school, on the others side of the Rijksstraatweg. It has its own atrium, cafeteria, library, playgrounds, gym, music and performance suites and technology labs.[4]
[edit] Middle school
Grades 5 through 8 are seen as middle school.[5] The middle school has its own library, yet shares the theater and other parts of the arts department with the high school. The middle school has two wings, one located South West, opposite of the central high school library and one next to the high school library (North). The current middle school principal is Mary Russman.
Students in middle school can choose, besides the curriculum, out of a variety of extracurricular activities. There is an art club, chess club, crafts and sewing club, the drama club who do a play in November, odyssey of the mind for people with lots of imagination, Boys Sing Too where boys sing at a festival in October, there is an Honor Band, Honor Choir, a spring musical, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.
[edit] High school
The High School has about 400 students. The wing is located between the two middle school wings (North West). The current interim high school principal is John Kruk, who came to ASH for one year from the American International School of Vienna.[6].
[edit] Curriculum
In order for students to receive a high school diploma at the end of year 12 they have to have a certain number of credits. Each credit counts for a year. The following credits are required: Four English credits 1 credit human understanding (Ex. philosophy) three credits social studies three credits in Mathematics three credits in Science* two credits in modern language** One IT credit Two credits in the Art Department 1.5 P.E. credits Half a credit of health class 3 credits in other electives, meaning anything that does not fit in the previous categories or any credit that is too much. Students can chose American High school classes, AP or IB
- At least three different types of science
- Level III must be reached in order to complete
[edit] IB and AP
Students can chose the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, Advanced Placement (AP) courses, regular high school, or a mix between any of the three. The only requirement is that the credits must be completed.
ASH offers thirteen AP subjects in Biology, Chemistry, Economics, English Literature, French Language, German Language, Human Geography, Math (AB), Math (BC), Music Theory, Physics B, Spanish Language, and U.S. History.[7]
The following IB subjects can be chosen:
20th History SL, Art SL/HL Biology SL/HL, Chemistry HL, Dutch A2 SL/HL, Dutch B SL/HL, Computer Science SL, Economics SL/HL, European History HL, English A1 SL/HL, English A2 SL/HL, Environmental Systems SL, French B SL/HL, German A2 HL, German B SL/HL, German AB initio, Information Technology in a Global Society (on year course) SL, Math SL/HL, Math Studies SL, Music SL/HL Psychology SL/HL, Spanish B SL/HL, Spanish AB initio, Theatre Arts SL/HL. [8]
Note: other languages can be taken as a tutorial depending on availability. All IB full IB diploma program students also take a two year course of TOK and CAS
[edit] Extracurricular activities
[edit] Sport
ASH offers a variety of sports, most at Varsity and Junior Varsity. The following sports are offered at ASH: Baseball, Basketball, Cross-country, Swimming, Softball, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball.[9] At the varsity level students participate in the International Schools Sports Tournament playing teams from Paris, London, Brussels, Frankfurt, Munich, and other places.[9]
[edit] Model United Nations
ASH's Model United Nations team has participated The Hague International Model United Nations (THIMUN) for almost 40 years. It brings more than 3,000 students together from 125 schools during the last week in January. Students from ASH can become delegation members, administrative staff, or an officer.[9]
[edit] National Honor Society
The ASH National Honor Society is an exclusive group for students who are selected based on their service, character, leadership, and scholarship. Students participate in projects at the school.[9]
[edit] Other activities
The newspaper (ASH T.R.A.S.H, or Today's Realities And Student Happenings).[9] Peer Support Program. Peer Support Trainees help their peers and facilitate discussion groups and learn to help Kindergarten through grade 12 students in advisory on various subjects.[9] Students can chose to become a student ambassador, taking on the responsibility of welcoming new students. The Student Senate helps fellow classmates enjoy their school year by organising dances and by advocating student issues including better lunch service.[9]
[edit] Performing Arts
Students can audition for the dance team in September.[9] Every year, in December the High school musical takes place. In the past musicals like Blood Brothers (2007), Children of Eden (2006), Into the Woods (2005) and Les Misérables (2004). Auditions are necessary.[9] In Spring there is High school play.[9] There is a choir and band that students can join.[9] Lastly, students can choose to participate in the Speech and Debate Tournaments where students from various International School meet to debate.[9]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c The American School of The Hague - A Brief Overview of ASH. Retrieved on 2008-02-14.
- ^ Radcliffe, Donnie. "Friendship and the First Lady", The Washington Post, 1989-07-18. Retrieved on 2008-02-14. "With Barbara Bush it's unveiling plaques or cornerstones. Yesterday she assisted at the latter for the American School of the Hague at nearby Wassenaar"
- ^ The American School of The Hague - Welcome to Admissions
- ^ a b c d The American School of The Hague - Elementary School Welcome. Retrieved on 2008-02-14.
- ^ The American School of The Hague - Middle School Welcome
- ^ The American School of The Hague - High School Welcome
- ^ The American School of The Hague - Advanced Placement (AP). Retrieved on 2008-02-14.
- ^ The American School of The Hague - International Baccalaureate (IB). Retrieved on 2008-02-14.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l High School Handbook (pdf) (English) 38-43. The American School of The Hague (2007-2008 edition). Retrieved on 2008-02-14.
