Ras Al-Khaimah American School,’ the first American International Expatriate Curriculum School in the northern emirates, threw open its doors on Sunday.

The school, an initiative of Khoie Education, a member of the Khoie Group of Companies, has been built at a cost of Dh20 million ($5.4 million) on a 2,500 sq m plot near the RAK Hospital.

RAK crown prince and deputy ruler Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi inaugurated
the institution in the presence of senior officials from Khoie Group including CEO Frank Khoie; Dan E. Young, CEO/education projects director, Khoie Education and Larry Audet, principal, Ras Al-Khaimah American School.

The school has been approved by the UAE ministry of education as the only comprehensive English language American-based curriculum school in Ras Al Khaimah and can accommodate up to 300 students.

The school is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, cutting-edge technology, research-based programs and materials, and new methods for teaching and learning.

"Offering expatriate international qualifications from around the world, the new institute includes classes from kindergarten all the way up to the fifth grade, and provides unique facilities and services such as special learning centre rooms for science lab, music and drama hall, full age-appropriate elementary level library, and computer room," Dan E. Young said.

"Other facilities include a gymnasium hall, cafeteria, Early Childhood Exploration Center, Teacher Resource/Supply Room, English Language Learners (ELL) Program, Arabic Language and Culture Center, a swimming pool, a fully covered playground and sand areas, and 24-hour security," he explained.

"The opening of this new learning institute ushers in another exciting phase in the continued development of Ras Al Khaimah's education sector."

"The formative years are the most critical in a child's growth and proper education is definitely one of the factors that has a significant impact on this process."

"The school will offer a learning environment that promotes the development of children and will inculcate essential values that allow them to fully appreciate the highly multicultural community in which they live," Young observed.

The school is a purpose built international expatriate school that adheres to the best practices and curriculum standards of the US.

The school follows a K-12 program, and provides a standard and IB diploma option following the completion of the accreditation process.

At present, the school has been accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), the oldest (1885) of the six regional accrediting agencies in the US, and by the Council of International Schools (CIS), an independent, non-profit membership organisation of over 520 schools across 110 countries throughout the world.

"The realization of this project has motivated us further to conduct more initiatives that will help enhance the education sector, particularly through projects that cater to the expatriate community," Frank Khoie, said.

"Khoie Education will also work hand in hand with the local authorities and our international affiliates to explore innovative ways to boost our learning tools and resources. Furthermore, we plan to unveil new strategies to expand our premium educational facilities not just in Ras Al Khaimah but across the UAE," he added.

Khoie Education and the ‘Ras Al-Khaimah American School’ have been launched as part of Khoie Group's greater initiative to provide the RAK expatriate community a wider range of amenities that cater to their cultural requirements and specific needs.

Other parallel developments that are being undertaken include residential and commercial facilities such as Khoie Properties’ flagship project - La Hoya Bay - on the Al Marjan Islands in Ras Al Khaimah.

In co-operation with the Ministry of Education