American
Curriculum
Policies
At A’TAKAMUL International School (ATIS), we are committed to maintaining a learning environment that is safe, inclusive, and academically rigorous. Our policies serve as a foundation for this commitment, outlining clear expectations and standards that guide our students, staff, and wider school community. These policies are designed not only to support day-to-day operations but also to promote fairness, respect, accountability, and the overall wellbeing of everyone at ATIS.
Our commitment to transparency, integrity, and excellence
At A’TAKAMUL International School (ATIS), we are committed to maintaining a learning environment that is safe, inclusive, and academically rigorous. Our policies serve as a foundation for this commitment, outlining clear expectations and standards that guide our students, staff, and wider school community. These policies are designed not only to support day-to-day operations but also to promote fairness, respect, accountability, and the overall wellbeing of everyone at ATIS.
We believe that transparency and open communication are vital in building trust and consistency across all aspects of school life. Whether it concerns academic performance, student behaviour, safeguarding, attendance, or digital responsibility, our policies aim to ensure that all members of the ATIS community understand their roles and responsibilities.
On this page, you will find downloadable PDF documents detailing our core policies. These documents are regularly reviewed and updated to remain in line with international best practices and the evolving needs of our students and families. We encourage parents, students, and staff to familiarise themselves with these policies to support a collaborative and respectful school culture.
Should you have any questions or require further clarification, our school administration is always available to assist you.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL POLICIES
English Language
In the Elementary School we follow the Common Core standards in the core subject areas. All teaching resources for English, Math and Science are U.S. schemes. We are incorporating activity based interactive learning to our curriculum.
Writing
Writing begins with the student’s initial school experience. The use of the writing process (brainstorming, pre-writing, drafting, revising, conferencing, editing and publishing) and the 6 Traits plus 1 analytical writing approach continues throughout the grades.
Reading
It is the policy of ATIS that students are taught to read well. We believe that reading is one of the keys of the whole curriculum. It is, therefore, important that an interest in literature is fostered in the classroom from an early age.
Purpose
The purpose of the Discipline Policy is to help children learn appropriate behavior. We believe that appropriate behavior needs to be taught, modeled, monitored, and re-taught. This is a continuous learning process that children develop and refine over a lifetime.
Student Responsibilities
- To laugh with, not at others
- To speak to others in a kind and respectful way
- To respect others and treat them with dignity and worth
- To respect their own and others’ personal space
- To not hurt others through words or actions
Disciplinary Actions
Possible disciplinary actions include verbal reprimands, written work of self-reflection, seating changes, isolation within classroom, detention, parent conferences, and in serious cases, suspension.
Daily Attendance
All students are expected to attend school every day unless prevented by illness or other legitimate reasons. The school day begins at 7:30 AM, and students must be present for the full instructional day.
Reporting Absences
Parents/guardians must notify the school within one school day of their child’s absence via phone call, email, or written note upon return to school.
Tardiness Policy
Students arriving after the official start time are considered tardy. Three unexcused tardies equal one unexcused absence.
Consequences for Excessive Absences
As per the Kuwait Ministry of Education, students who exceed the maximum allowable absence limit (20%) may be restricted from sitting for semester exams or required to repeat the grade level.
Elementary Girls
- Navy trousers or skirts
- Long or short sleeve white polo shirts, school sweater
- Black shoes and black sneakers for PE
Elementary Boys
- Long or short sleeve white polo shirts
- Navy pants or ¾ shorts with school logo
- Black shoes and black sneakers for PE
Grooming Guidelines
Girls may only wear one stud per ear. Boys are not permitted to wear earrings. Hair must be neat and conservative. No nail polish may be worn.
KINDERGARTEN POLICIES
Project Based Learning
Project Based Learning (PBL) is an instructional method where students collaborate with others and “learn by doing.” PBL provides important benefits, it prepares students with life skills that set them up for future success.
English Language
The transformation that KG students make in their 2 years with us is significant. When they start KG1 they are learning how to hold a pencil and trace lines. By the time students complete KG2 students should be able to write their own sentences.
Mathematics
The Mathematics curriculum is based on a set of clearly defined learning objectives following the Mathematics Common Core Standards.
Positive Discipline
The KG department believes firmly in positive discipline systems which encourage students to follow rules and procedures through positive reinforcement and behavior narration.
Student of the Week
Classroom teachers award students with the “Student of the Week” when they have performed their best in the classroom.
Disciplinary Actions
- Orally redirect student
- Move seating position within the classroom
- Move student to the calm area for reflection
- Contact parents via Seesaw or email
MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL POLICIES
Grading Policy
Academic grades reflect a student’s overall body of work within the classroom. The determination of the specific grade a student receives is based on the teacher’s professional judgment after careful consideration of all aspects of student’s performance during a grading period.
Homework Policy
It is the belief of ATIS that homework forms an integral part of teaching, and that if used effectively homework is a valuable teaching aid.
Late Work Policy
Late assignments (without an approved excuse) will not receive full credit. Late assignments will lose 10% for each day an assignment is late after the due date.
Credit Requirements
A minimum of 28 credits are required for graduation from high school.
Core Courses
- English: 4 credits
- Mathematics: 4 credits
- Science: 4 credits
- Social Studies: 4 credits
- Arabic: 4 credits
- Islamic Studies: 4 credits
Required Electives
- Fine Arts: 1 credit
- Information Technology: 1 credit
- World Languages: 1 credit
- Physical Education: 1 credit
Prohibited Behavior
Students attending ATIS are prohibited from engaging in the following behaviors:
- Physical abuse against a student
- Verbal abuse against a student
- Psychological abuse against a student
- Bullying and cyberbullying
- Cheating and plagiarism
- Drug possession or use
- Fighting and use of profanity
- Theft and vandalism
Consequences
Consequences for misconduct may include detention, suspension, loss of privileges, parent conferences, and in severe cases, expulsion.
