Khartoum American School (Sudan)
seeks a new
Whole School Principal
For school year commencing August 2022 OR August 2023
Candidates interested in a one-year interim position will also be considered.
Khartoum American School (KAS) provides an exceptional international education for expatriates, as well as Sudanese families looking for an American style education. Khartoum American School seeks an educator with the creativity, resilience and commitment to assist the Superintendent in leading the school in continued academic excellence, offering a student-centred, inclusive program and strong community involvement.
Mission Statement: The Khartoum American School provides an outstanding learning environment to promote an open, inclusive, and student centered program. We are devoted to fostering educational growth and development for our internationally diverse student body.
The Mission is supported through the KAS Vision of building the 4 Cs of:
Character: By helping students develop self-discipline and a positive self-image, Khartoum American School encourages students to explore their potential and to develop a rich and broad understanding of today’s world. Khartoum American School fosters in student a strong sense of personal commitment and dedication to their own learning.
Curriculum: Khartoum American School follows an American Curriculum based around internationally recognized standards. Our student-centered program offers a technology-rich and inquiry-based approach. Khartoum American School offers a program of study that allows all students to reach their potential.
Community: Khartoum American School actively pursues a sense of community characterized by students who are cooperative, communicative, productive and responsible. Students are encouraged to view themselves and their school as integral parts of the global community. Our community is a partnership of stakeholders who are actively engaged in the school and collectively shape its direction and ethos.
Citizenship: We promote global citizenship and the expectation of our students is to reflect upon their own world and the world around them and to develop the skills required to make positive changes worldwide. We encourage students to embrace the diversity present at Khartoum American School and to celebrate the fact that it makes us a richer school community.
The School & Curriculum
Khartoum American School (KAS) was founded in 1957 under the auspices of the US Department of State in order to provide education for the children of US diplomats serving in Khartoum. KAS has continued in its mission to offer a US-style education to expatriates and Sudanese students. Today, the school serves 220 students from around 30 different countries. Some of these students come from the diplomatic community; others come from the many developmental and non-governmental organizations currently operating in Sudan, while others come from the business sector.
KAS is committed to being an inclusive school. Faculty have been engaged in professional development to develop their skills in this area. With such a highly diverse ethnic and national profile, KAS serves a vast number of English as Additional Language learners.
The Early Childhood division (Pre School-PreK) carefully reflects a strong developmental emphasis. The Elementary division (K-5) employs Readers and Writers Workshop, a conceptual mathematics program and an inquiry driven approach to Social Studies and Science. The Middle School division (6-8) is based on a strong philosophy that understands and recognizes the unique needs of early adolescents in the learning process. All students have the opportunity to engage with The Arts, World Languages and Physical Education.
The High School curriculum has been standardized around a traditional US model and Advanced Placement (AP) courses currently offers seven AP classes. KAS offers the AP Capstone Program, including AP Seminar and Research. KAS graduates have been accepted into excellent colleges and universities in the USA, Canada, and the UK as well as in the Middle East and Asia.
KAS has a reputation as a community oriented school that fosters a shared responsibility for learning.
Governance and Administration
By constitution and throughout its history, KAS has encouraged active parental involvement in the work of the school. The KAS board is comprised of eight parents and one US Embassy representative. These parents are elected for 2-year terms at the Annual General Meeting of the parents each spring. The school receives support from the Office of Overseas Schools of the US Department of State.
Faculty
The faculty is currently comprised of 34 teachers, 12 teaching assistants, 6 administration and many support personnel. Most of the teachers are recruited from the USA and Canada as well as from the UK, South Africa, France, Namibia, Philippines, Egypt, and Sudan.
Professional development opportunities for the faculty focus on helping faculty achieve professional goals while furthering specific school initiatives. Faculty have been supported to attend seminars and training opportunities; outside experts have been funded to present workshops and training sessions on campus; summer courses or graduate level courses and professional coaching have also received support.
In addition to the Superintendent and the Whole School Principal, the school has a Student Support Services Coordinator, a Technology Coordinator, two Counsellors and a part-time Curriculum Coordinator.
Campus and Facilities
The school’s campus is on the south side of Khartoum. The school’s thirteen-building campus is built to US standards. There are 33 air-conditioned classrooms, a science laboratory, art room, music room, full size soccer field, basketball court, volleyball court, a covered area for PE classes, weight-training room, and an Olympic-size swimming pool. Classroom areas are also provided for special programs in EAL (English as an Additional Language), student support services, Arabic, and French. There is a well-resourced library. There is high-speed Internet throughout the campus. There is a small playing field as well as a regulation-sized soccer pitch. All around the campus, there are many grassy, tree-shaded areas with tables and benches, which families use on weekends and evenings. See images of the campus here.
Accreditation and Affiliations
KAS is accredited by the Middle States Association and the Council of International Schools (CIS). KAS is also a member of the Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA).
Living in Khartoum
Khartoum, the capital city of Sudan, is located on the confluence of the Blue Nile and the White Nile. Sudan is an Islamic country and this is reflected in the laws and expectations within the country. People dress modestly and there is a ban on the consumption of alcohol.
There has been political instability in Sudan in recent years. There is ongoing tension between military and civilian leaders and political protests have become quite common. These protests are scheduled and are not targeted at foreigners, but expats need to avoid being caught up in these. KAS has a close relationship with the US embassy Regional Security Officer and also security personnel working for a variety of UN agencies who give security advice and support to the school.
Faculty in Khartoum tend to get together to make their own fun. There are also opportunities to meet expats from other organizations and socialize with them. Teachers can run, walk, play ultimate frisbee and swim in their spare time. The community is close and supportive of each other.
While the cost of living has been increasing in Khartoum in recent times, it is still relatively low and there is a good savings potential with the school covering most expenses. This cost of living comparator tool may be helpful to compare the cost of living to your current location.
There are some travel opportunities within Sudan. In particular, the ancient Meroe Pyramids and Port Sudan to go diving in the Red Sea. There are travel opportunities in the region with direct flights to and from Khartoum to Cairo, Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Dubai, Istanbul and Doha.
