International College, Beirut

Infobox Private School
background = #f0f6fa
border = #ccd2d9
name = International College


established = 1891
type = Independent
religion = Non-sectarian
head_name = Head of school
head = John K. Johnson
city = Beirut
country = Lebanon
enrollment = over 3400
class = 24 students
colors = Green and White
mascot = Cougar
homepage = [http://www.ic.edu.lb/ www.ic.edu.lb]

International College is a private co-educational preparatory school to the American University of Beirut mainly, as well as American Ivy League universities. It is located in Beirut, Lebanon.Its students come from all over Lebanon, as well as the Middle-East and around the world.The U.S. Agency for International Development, among others, considers International College one of the finest educational institutions in the world [ [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,855428,00.html] "Where East is West" Time Magazine Sept. 9 1946] [ [http://lebanon.usaid.gov/(p3jajj55ykn2qqqmxge4k3qj)/files/news2005.aspx] "International College Board of Trustees Gather in Beirut" Oct. 13, 2005] [ [http://www.harvardarabalumni.org/openconference22.php] "Harvard Arab Alumni"] [ [http://arabworld.nitle.org/texts.php?module_id=6&reading_id=57&sequence=4] "The Tragedy of Lebanon", Kenneth Cragg] .

History

The International College was founded in İzmir, Turkey in 1891, by Alexander MacLachlan, a Canadian educator, as the American Boys’ School. The first class of five students graduated in 1895, and it was renamed the American Collegiate Institute for Boys.

In 1913, IC opened an elementary school, and added the French language Section Secondaire in 1926.

In 1936, Dr. Bayard Dodge of the American University of Beirut invited IC to come to Beirut and affiliate with AUB as its preparatory school. As a result, IC was known for many years as "The Prep." During its first year in Beirut, IC welcomed 901 students from 37 countries representing 16 religious sects. IC was a truly international school, welcoming students from all over the Middle East, who came as boarders living in Thomson and Sage Halls.

IC separated from AUB in the 1960s, naming a separate board of trustees and admitted women to become a co-educational institution.

During the Lebanese Civil War under the leadership of Dr. Alton Reynolds, IC remained a beacon of tolerance for the whole of Lebanese society. Students and teachers of all religious sects continued to attend classes in Ras Beirut.

In 1988, a satellite campus was constructed in Ain A’ar, far from Beirut, to accommodate the children of alumni in that area. The Ain A’ar campus continues to serve students from pre-school through middle school.

In 1997, IC achieved dual accreditation by the European Council of International Schools and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

Academic programs

The Pre-School is a three-year cycle consisting of English and French programs with Arabic taught as an integral part of both programs.Its curriculum includes languages (English/French and Arabic), creative arts, sciences, mathematics, social studies and physical education.

The Elementary School (ES) covers grades one through five (ages six to eleven). The medium of instruction is either English or French, although Arabic is mandatory for all students. A special Arabic program is made available in IC to students who have lived abroad and qualify for exemption from the regular programs. The curriculum aims to "develop and consolidate a range of learning skills with the emphasis on the acquisition of new concepts through deduction and generalizations, using critical thinking as well as hand-on experiences."

The Middle School is a four-year cycle covering grades 6 through 9. It offers three different programs: the Lebanese Program prepares students for the official "Lebanese Brevet" examination; the College Preparatory Program is an English medium non-Brevet program; and the French Program is non-Brevet program taught in French that prepares the student for the official French Baccalaureate examination. All programs require the teaching of Arabic, English, French, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Physical Education, Arts, Information Technology (IT) and Music. Grades 6,7, and 8 also receive Technology instruction. [http://ic.edu.lb/academics/middle.htm 1]

Secondary School programs

The Secondary School is a three-year cycle made up of three separate programs:

The Lebanese Baccalaureate Program, which follows a curriculum set by the Lebanese Ministry of Education, is available to all students in either an English or French track for core subjects including math and sciences. In the French track, English is taught as a third language and vice versa. In both tracks, Social Studies, History, Geography, Civics, Sociology and Economics, are taught in Arabic with the study of Arabic literature and language mandatory. In the second year, students chose a focus in humanities or sciences, and specialize more specifically in the third year.

The French Baccalaureate Program, which follows a curriculum set by the French Ministry of Education, is designed to meet the needs of foreign and Lebanese students who wish to pursue the French Baccalaureate. All core subjects are taught in French. Upon successful completion of the Lebanese or French Baccalaureate program, students are eligible to enter at the level in all Lebanese and many European and North American universities. It should be mentioned that some students pursue both the Lebanese and French Baccalaureate simultaneously."See Secondary education in France".

The International Baccalaureate Program is a two-year curriculum with an assessment component. The IB diploma is recognized by universities around the world. Students admitted to the IB program must hold a second nationality in addition to Lebanese, or must obtain an exemption from the Lebanese official program allowing them to engage in a non-Lebanese program. A good knowledge of English is a prerequisite as it is the language of instruction.

Community Service Program

Participation in the Community Service Program is mandatory for all IC Secondary School students. Students select two community projects per year, ranging from helping to raise awareness of environmental issues, volunteer at orphanages, and centers for the aged, infirmed and disabled.

Present day

IC graduates, who number in the thousands, occupy leading positions in medicine, banking, engineering, commerce and other professions in the Middle East and around the world. Most graduates are trilingual, fluent in Arabic, French and English.

According to its mission statement, IC wants to "educate compassionate and self reliant young men and women capable of initiative and critical thinking, who will serve as role models in society. I.C.'s curriculum aims for excellence at all levels and embraces the education of the whole person. Graduates of I.C. will have developed self-discipline, an awareness of the interdependence of nations and a set of values leading to respect for others."

Its also aims to promote the development of its students:

"Academically", through a balanced program, in three languages, that aims for excellence in the Lebanese Baccalaureate, the French Baccalaureate, the American College Preparatory Program and the International Baccalaureate;"

"Ethically", through the promotion of the higher ideals of integrity, tolerance, and respect for individual differences;"

"Socially", through extracurricular activities, community service, and opportunities to develop civic awareness and responsibility, team spirit, and respect for the environment;"

"Aesthetically", through a comprehensive fine arts program; and,"

"Physically", through a comprehensive health, physical education and athletics program."

The institution believes these programs aim to "develop personal qualities and skills leading to effective communication, creative expression, intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, self-discipline and self-confidence."

Notable alumni

* Constantin Zureiq, "father" of Arab nationalism;
* Ghassan Tueni, Lebanese MP;
* His son, assassinated politician and journalist Gebran Tueni;
* Basil Fuleihan, assassinated Lebanese Minister of Economy;
* Druze leader Walid Jumblatt;
* Adil Osseiran, prominent Lebanese independence figure and parliament speaker;
* Salim Hoss, former prime minister of Lebanon;
* Saeb Salam, former prime minister.

Notes

References

*With Youth on Phoenician Shores, Leslie W. Leavitt, Wellesley, Massachusetts, 1968
*Seeing Arabs Through An American School, Robert F. Ober Jr., Philadelphia, 2003.

External links

* [http://ic.edu.lb International College website]
* [http://ic.edu.lb/aboutic/campustour/index.htm IC Campus tour]