Profile of the Class of 2008

KARACHI AMERICAN SCHOOL

(Founded in 1953)

Karachi American School is a selective co-educational day school, which offers an instructional program from Pre-Nursery through Grade 12.  Karachi American School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national or ethnic origin in administrations of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship, and loan policies, athletic and other school administered programs.  Founded to serve American and other expatriates’ children, 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,  studios, health facilities and snack bar.

ADMISSION

Admission to Karachi American School is highly selective and competitive.  Qualified students capable of completing a demanding college preparatory program with a strong AP program are admitted. AP ID is offered through AP coursework.  Admission is based on prior academic record, standardized test scores, three letters of recommendation, graded writing sample and, an admission interview for parent and applicant.   The school makes a conscious effort to preserve size, ethnicity and gender in each grade level.

ENROLLMENT

Currently there are 340 students in pre-school through grade 12 representing 17 nationalities: 62 U.S. citizens, 192 Pakistanis, and 86 from other countries.  In the high school, there are 111 students: 28 seniors, 29 juniors, 31 sophomores and 23 freshmen.

ACCREDITATION

The school has been fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools since 1968. .

FACULTY

There are 39 full-time and 1 part-time faculty members including 17 U.S. citizens, 14 host country nationals, and 9 persons of other nationalities.  Student/teacher ratio in the elementary school is 6:1 in the secondary school the ratio is 7:1.  Twenty one teachers and administrators comprise the overseas teaching staff.  All overseas hires are certified and hold degrees from US universities with majority of the faculty holding fifth year or post-graduate degrees.  KAS actively and financially supports teacher training and continuing education for its staff.  In 2007-2008 fifty percent of all KAS faculty members attended university courses, AP workshops and/or institutes.

CALENDAR

A two-semester system is employed at KAS: the first semester is from August 6 to December 19; the second semester runs from January 8 to May 25.  Grades are published quarterly.  Classes are held Monday through Friday, with Saturday and Sunday as the weekend.  Scheduled in the secondary school, Monday through Thursday, are six 55-minute periods beginning at 8:00 a.m. and concluding at 2:55 p.m. On Fridays, there are four 55-minute periods with the day beginning at 8:00 a.m. and ending at 12:30 p.m.

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

CLASS RANK

Because of the relatively small size and strong quality of our graduating classes, we have chosen not to rank our students. Historically, our strength is such that all of our students have a solid academic foundation and have performed well at competitive colleges

GRADING SYSTEM

G.P.A.'s are weighted by calculating a multiple of 1.2 quality points for grades in Advanced Placement (AP) courses.  Courses which are not designated AP are not weighted

CURRICULUM

Courses at Karachi American School are college preparatory level courses.  Students must complete 26.0 credits for graduation.  (Note: one credit is given for one year of successful study in any subject, which meets 220 minutes per week.)  Minimum requirements are:

Subject                                                                   Credits                   Subject                                 Credits

English                                                                        4.0                       Science                                      4.0

Mathematics                                                               4.0                       Speech/Writing                          1.0

Foreign Language                                                        3.0                       Physical Ed/Health                   2.0

Social Studies                                                              4.0                       Technology                               1.0

                                                                                                                Visual/Performing Art               3.0

COURSE OFFERINGS

English                                   Mathematics                         Science                                                  Social Studies

English 9                                 Algebra I                                 Physics                                                   World History I

English 10                               Geometry                                Biology                                                   World History II

English 11                               Algebra II                                Chemistry                                               U.S. History

English 12                               Pre-Calculus                            AP Physics B                                         AP Psychology

AP English Language              Advanced or Discreet Math   AP Chemistry                                         AP European History

AP English Literature             AP Calculus AB, BC                                                                              AP Economics (Micro & Macro)

Speech/Writing                        AP Statistics

Journalism                              

Foreign Language                Fine Arts                                Computer                                              Physical Education

French I, II, III, IV,                 Vocal Music                            Computer Applications                          P.E. 9-12 (with Health)

Spanish I, II, III, IV                Studio Art                               Desktop Publishing/Yearbook

Urdu, (Beg. Int. Adv.)            Photography

AP French Language               Ceramics

AP Spanish Language             Concert Band

                                                Drawing/Graphic Design

                GRADE DISTRIBUTION – 2007-2008 Academic Year

ADVANCED PLACEMENT

The Advanced Placement (AP) program plays an integral part in the curriculum of Karachi American School.  Admission to an AP class is based on teacher recommendations, PSAT scores, and past academic achievement, including a minimum grade of B in all prerequisite courses.  Any student taking an AP course is required to take the AP exam in that course.  In May 2008, students took 83 AP exams with just over twenty-six percent of scores four or better, and fifty four  percent of scores three or higher

                                       ADVANCED PLACEMENT SCORES 2008        

COLLEGE COUNSELING DEPARTMENT STATEMENT

The academic environment at Karachi American School is demanding, rigorous and competitive.  All courses are taught at a college preparatory level.  The typical student spends an average of at least three hours per night on homework and course preparation.

The college counseling office recommends applying to no more than ten colleges and will compile and send no more than ten application packets per student as a service.  As a part of its academic policy, Karachi American School does not offer SAT I, SAT II or other college entrance examination preparation courses on campus

 STANDARDIZED TESTS*

 SAT I - Score average and ranges for members of the Class of 2008:

 SAT II - The SAT II (Subject Tests) score averages and ranges for students taking the tests in 2007-08 academic year

* Karachi American School does not eliminate non-native English speakers from its statistical representation. 

Reported on : November, 2008