Secondary School
November 17, 2024 2026-08-06 11:19Secondary School
Secondary School
Hugh Schoolman
"
Marhaba, Bonjour and a warm welcome to Rabat American School’s Secondary School!
I am proud and honored to join the RAS community as Interim Secondary School Principal. After decades in US-curriculum and IB international schools, I will become a Lion for the first time! As a longtime supporter of student sports, arts, clubs and service learning, I look forward to helping “unleash” a variety of RAS Lions activities in both the middle and high schools in 2026-27.
RAS is a tight-knit, supportive community offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program – widely regarded as the “gold standard” in secondary education worldwide. I have a particular appreciation for small schools such as RAS where student-teacher relationships thrive and education can be personalized in ways larger institutions often can’t match.
RAS’s mission – preparing students to become vibrant global citizens – comes to life in a few key ways:
- Real-world learning: Through programs like Week Without Walls, the Explore Svalbard environmental project, and international sports and arts experiences, the world becomes our students’ classroom. A dedicated faculty, counselors, and our IB CAS Coordinator support students through the rigors of the IB and beyond – including thoughtful conversations about how AI and technology fit into daily life.
- Empowering student action: Project-based learning, presentation skills, and critical thinking are woven throughout our classrooms. Programs like Model United Nations teach students to research, persuade, and collaborate, while service learning connects them to real needs both within and beyond RAS.
- Belonging and growth: RAS celebrates individual and cultural diversity, offers multiple pathways to success, and – thanks to our size – fosters real connection through advisory programs and counselors who know each student personally. Leadership opportunities abound through Student Council, National/Junior Honor Society, Athletic Council, and a growing roster of clubs.
Parent partnership remains central to our work. We will continue hosting cultural and educational events, along with parent coffees throughout the year led by our SEL counselor, college counselor, and Secondary School team.
This year marks RAS’s 65th anniversary, and we look forward to welcoming alumni back to celebrate. It’s shaping up to be a special year, and I am honored to serve this community. Go Lions!
Dr. Hugh Schoolman
"
Curriculum Overview
The secondary school years (Grades 6-12) are a time of excitement, growth and transformation. Our learners are changing physically, mentally and emotionally. Our faculty are dedicated to providing guidance and inspiration through these changes while we educate the whole child.
We have designed our academic curricular program to equip and empower our students with the knowledge, skills and beliefs essential to becoming global citizens in the twenty-first century. They will study and learn in the disciplines of literature and language, social sciences, mathematics, experimental sciences, world language, physical education and health, fine arts, and technology. RAS also offers a variety of co-curricular opportunities, such as clubs, student government, service learning and athletic activities.
Success in the middle grades lays the foundation for success in high school and beyond. The approaches to learning students establish will be with them as they go through Secondary School. Our goal is to help students develop strong, positive approaches to learning so that excellence becomes a habit.
We believe the middle grades should be a time of exploration and discovery. Your mindset should reflect this as you plan to develop both your approaches to learning and your academic skill and knowledge during these years. High school program planning impacts more than just your high school academics. During this planning time you should consider potential college programs that you may pursue. In doing so, you can plan your courses in a way that provides challenges and the foundation necessary to be successful at the university level.
Talk to your parents and ask for their guidance as to where you may be able to attend university. Talk to our secondary counselor as you map out your plan and determine which courses best meet your needs. Last but not least, talk to your teachers to find out why they are passionate about their subjects. What fascinates them about mathematics, economics, history, literature or science? RAS may be a small school, yet we offer much in the way of rigorous academic and rich co-curricular activities.
Academic Offerings
Our Secondary School program overview highlight our commitment to student-centered learning and intentional curriculum design for middle and high school students.
IBDP & Pathways to University
As students head into Grades 11 and 12, they step into the last two years of their secondary school life and the world of college preparation. While some students may know exactly what career path they would like to follow and then choose the right university and major, a great many students do not. How should they prepare for university, and have the right qualifications, taking into account their strengths as a student?
At RAS, we have three pathways to choose from that will get students into the college of their choice. All students that graduate from RAS earn a US Diploma and this forms the foundation for the qualifications needed to get into a university in the USA, Canada, Europe, or anywhere in the world.
The Grades 11 and 12 Three Pathways Approach at RAS is based on courses within the IB Diploma Program (IBDP), this being because it is felt that the combination of the academic rigor of the IBDP and the approaches to teaching and learning offered by the program best prepare RAS students for the life and learning that follows graduation. In short, the program encapsulates what is articulated in the school’s foundation documents – mission, vision, beliefs and the Profile of graduates. The fact that, time and again, those who have followed IBDP-based courses report that they appear so much better prepared for college courses than their contemporaries who did not take such courses, speaks volumes.
This approach means that all students in Grades 11 and 12 will share the common experience to:
- Continue a program of study that enables them to both earn the credits required and meet all other conditions to be awarded the RAS High School Diploma,
- Study within IBDP courses only,
- Take courses in all six DP subject groups,
- Take the ‘Core’ element of Theory of Knowledge (ToK), and
- Either undertake the full Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) ‘Core’ element or a modified Community Service (CS) version.
Find below the RAS G11-12 IBDP and three pathways approach at RAS:
University Counseling
We aim to offer our students the best opportunities.
Meet the Secondary Counselor!
Ms. Destinee Pray
College, University, & Career Counseling Services
In secondary school, beginning in grade 9 and continuing through grade 12, RAS students are supported in the planning, search, and application process to universities around the globe. RAS uses the online search and application platform, BridgeU.com to provide age-appropriate college counseling to each grade level, building up to final college selection and graduation. This program includes interest and strength inventories, career exploration, matching interests and majors, building a college shortlist, and essay writing.
Every year the College and University Counselor organizes Career Day in March. If you or someone you know would be interested in speaking with current RAS students please email info@ras.ma.
The College and University Counselor meets with students to deliver curriculum via Google Classroom each quarter of high school, for a total of 16 classes, as well as meeting individually and with parents in grades 11 and 12. The counselor provides Parent Academies to keep families informed about the university application process and organizes regular university visits on campus and virtually for students to learn about programs and speak with visiting representatives.
Is Your Family Moving to Rabat?
Get in touch with our office of admissions today!
Join RAS!
Discover Rabat's most prestigious school, and explore all what we have to offer!
