Karachi American School

The Karachi American School is located in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.

Introduction

The Karachi American School is a selective co-educational day school, which offers an instructional program from Pre-Nursery through Grade 12. Founded to serve American and other expatriates’ children, the Karachi American School has developed into a premier learning institution following an American college preparatory curriculum. While students of all nationalities are enrolled, the school seeks to accommodate primarily those transient students from the expatriate business and diplomatic communities whose academic careers are best served by an American educational system. The school is housed in a modern plant on approximately twelve acres of land. Included are elementary and secondary libraries, art, science and computer laboratories, a gymnasium, an auditorium, squash and tennis courts, playing fields, auditorium, cafeteria and a swimming pool.

Mission Statement

The stated mission of the Karachi American School is "...to deliver an American curriculum to ensure that all members of a culturally diverse student body are prepared for international institution of higher learning and become responsible global citizens"

History

Although many people who attend the school have no knowledge of the school's history, the Karachi American School was originally set up in 1953 to provide an education to the children of five American families who worked for the US consulate, which was then actually the Embassy as Karachi was then the federal capital of Pakistan. Starting originally in a small house, the school eventually started to grow as more international consular families started sending their children there in hope of providing them with an education that was vastly superior to any that they would have received from government run schools. As the school started to grow, it gained more recognition, even amongst the local upper-class and eventually needed to move to a larger campus, which it still uses to this day. In 1968 the school was accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, and still remains so to this date.

Activities

Extra and co-curricular activities are a part of each student and teacher's commitment to Karachi American School. The school serves as a community activity center for Americans and other expatriates in Karachi. Sporting events, field trips, music organizations, cultural programs, student government, drama productions, The International Model United Nations, and numerous clubs provide activities for students, parents, and teachers. KAS has chapters of the National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society, and French and Spanish Honor Societies. Through its membership in the South Asia Inter-School Association (SAISA), KAS offers students in middle school and high school opportunities to interact with students of other American international schools in varsity athletics, academic, music, and cultural exchanges at least four times a year. Participation in activities is contingent upon maintaining a 2.0 grade point average or above.

Effects of 9/11

After the September 11th attacks in 2001, international schools located throughout muslim countries were affected and many U.S. citizens were scared for their lives. Although there was no immediate reaction to the bombings, once the United States dropped the first bombs on top of Kabul, an evacuation plan was established for all foreign citizens to be accommodated in Bangkok until the region became less volatile. During this period, classes were taught by locally hired teachers, and the name of the school was changed from "The Karachi American School" to "The International School of Karachi" thereby omitting the word "American" from the name. Many other changes also took place, and security was increasingly tightened in the area around the campus. Gates were established around the perimeter, and cars were not allowed to enter through the campus unless they belonged to the school, or to students with disabilities. All other students were allowed to drive up near the gates and were rushed in through one of three main doors surrounded by guard. Cameras and metal detectors were set up to ensure the safety of students and visitors on campus.

External links

* [http://www.kas.edu.pk/ Official Site]
* [http://www.chandoo.com/yeoldeknights/ Knights Alumni Society]
* [http://www.karachiamericanschool.com/ '57-'67 Alumni Group]