Unleashing Potential, Championing Strengths AISD’s Next Evolution as a Leading American International School
From the Head of School
As the American International School Dhaka embarks on an exciting period of growth and renewal, I want to highlight several bold initiatives to enable us to strategically prepare for a strong future and nurture empowered, ethical graduates ready to uplift their communities. Aligned with our vision to prepare students as stewards of a just and sustainable world, we are taking key actions to elevate our capacity, enhancing our connectedness and sense of belonging through the development of supportive learning ecosystems. These projects will evolve and be implemented in phases over the next eighteen months.
I hope you enjoy reading about this exciting future for our School.
In service and stewardship, John Smithies
January 2024
Strategic Initiatives Spotlight
Serving students with diverse profiles.
Intentionally Inclusive
AISD will launch an Inclusionary Learning Center to provide therapeutic support for students with neurodiverse, cognitive, sensory, and other exceptional profiles. This pioneering hub offers personalized interventions tailored to children’s academic, regulatory, and communication needs - fostering strengths and remediating challenges.
We aim to partner with the broader Dhaka community to make these services accessible to non-enrolled students, building capacity over three years. Our vision is to nurture all students to meet their full potential.
Transformed Pre-K spaces for play and
learning, inspiring lifelong growth.
Reimagined Pre-K
AISD’s PreKindergarten space is now open and buzzing with energy! It features a light-filled, engaging environment, an indoor sandbox, indoor climbing equipment, and flexible learning areas.
Our youngest learners are already thriving, exploring, and shaping the space to fit their needs. Designed for self-directed play and creativity, this dynamic setting fosters curiosity, inquiry, and growth, setting the stage for a lifelong love of learning.
Coaching for Excellence
Adding
two teacher coaching roles to elevate instructional practices.
AISD will add two teacher-coaching roles in August 2024 to work side-by-side with our students and teachers to elevate instructional practices. With responsibilities to ensure optimal, personalized, and rigorous student learning across all domains and grades, these two people will be in classrooms, alongside teachers and learners, enriching teaching quality to unlock student potential.
Integrating AI to enhance collaboration, learning, and operations through the ethical use of technology.
On the Forefront of AI
AISD is taking a leading role in ethically integrating artificial intelligence to enrich student learning. Through a partnership with a world-renowned education organization, we will empower educators to amplify creativity, personalize assessments, and incorporate data-driven decisions. This carefully measured integration will automate operations to allow more human connections. With tailored support, our educators will nurture deeper learning and uphold the joy of teaching.
Revitalizing the Performing Arts Center with advanced sound and lighting.
Upgraded Anita and Samson H. Chowdhury Performing Arts Centre
The Anita and Samson H. Chowdhury Performing Arts Centre will be renewed with state-of-the-art sound and lighting to showcase our community’s creative gifts.
Due for completion in January 2025, our status as a performing arts hub will be matched by facilities enabling relevant student skill development. The venue will amplify student productions and model possibilities with cutting-edge creative programming.
Enhanced the swimming pool with improvements for swimmers and spectators.
Swimming Pool Phase 2
The newly renovated swimming pool is now open. It features expanded seating capacity, a premium viewing deck, and floor-to-ceiling glass panels that bring in natural light while shielding against the elements. This offers a world-class experience, no matter the weather.
Investing in our campus today to
shape possibilities for our students' futures.
Facilities
Development
AISD will resume work on the partially finished construction project on the UN Road side of our campus, adjusting its purpose to meet current needs.
This multi-year project will consolidate critical campus infrastructure and utilities, update electrical systems, provide opportunities for sustainable action through the use of solar panels, and create open gathering spaces for students, including an accessible forest environment.
Additional Strategic Moves
Revitalized alumni community engagement through outreach, celebration, and publication
Offices and services will be relocated to facilitate stronger communication, service, and belonging
Bringing an intentional focus to sustainable action
Refocussing Service Learning
Gymnasium renovation projects enabling AISD’s continued ability to support mission-critical programs.
These key investments, combined with our outstanding people, will empower AISD to stride boldly toward an even brighter future. One where our students and teachers uplift communities worldwide.
We welcome your ideas and input to enrich this work.
There will be opportunities for community engagement and information sharing in the coming months.
Mission Statement
AISD creates an academic and social environment based on American educational principles. We challenge students from an international community to achieve their potential, become life-long learners, and contribute to a changing global society.
Explore our redesigned and upgraded website for an improved user experience. www.aisdhaka.org