Category: General FAQs

I cannot reach the school, all landlines are down. what do I do?

In the event that our landlines are down for any reason, please call the below departments on mobile lines which are only working if the landlines are down:

 

01001617746 Mrs Hala Hosny British Early Years and Primary

01001617747 Mrs Ola Omar American Early Childhood and Elementary

01065524260 / 01281212729 Clinic

01281212342 Fees

01271155233 Admissions

01271155229 Telephone Operators

01068811088 Bus Control

01281212637 British Secondary Office – Heba Haridy

Please use emails or call Operator for the American Senior Office – Dina Omran domran@alsson.com

 

Why should I download the El Alsson Parent App?

Stay Connected Like Never Before!
With our app, you’ll have access to:

  • Bus Tracking: Know exactly when your child will arrive home safely.
  • School Fees: Easily view fees for now and manage payments in the future.
  • Important Announcements: Receive real-time push notifications directly to your device.
  • Clinic Updates: Stay informed about any updates from the school clinic and manage your child’s medical information conveniently.
  • Uniform: Familiarize yourself with all uniform options, call the shop to make an order for pick up or to check if items are available or not.
  • Sending Notes:
    Need to communicate with the school clinic, transportation or having a technical issue in the app? Sending notes has never been easier! Whether it’s a quick question or an important message, you can reach out directly through the app, making sure nothing slips through the cracks.
  • And the all new Pickup Feature (coming soon): Parents and Authorized family members or drivers can now only pick up car children using bar codes on the app.  Multiple pickups can also happen only via the app after adding additional authorized adults to pick up the children. The adult will need to show the code to the staff member to be allowed to leave with the child. This ensures a secure and efficient process for pick-up.
  • We encourage all parents to activate push notifications to ensure you stay up to date with school announcements. Please note that while our bulk email system is helpful, it has its flaws, and many emails can end up in the junk folder, leading to missed important information. With our new app, you won’t miss a thing!

    If you encounter any technical issues, please reach out to us at parentsappsupport@alsson.com. We’re here to assist you the best way we can.

How do I get the password and username for El Alsson Parent App?

For your login information, use your school-registered email address as your username. Your password will be the first part of your email before the ‘@’ symbol, followed by 159. And remember to change your password after your initial login for security purposes!

What is the difference between the British, American and IB systems?

The British education system and various American diploma options (including AP and IB programs) differ significantly in structure, curriculum, and assessment methods. Here’s a breakdown of the key differences:

British Education System

  • Structure: Typically involves a two-stage system: GCSEs (General Certificate of Secondary Education) (Years 9, 10 and 11) , followed by A-levels (Advanced Level) taken at Years 12 and 13.
  • Curriculum: Students usually specialize in 3-4 subjects for A-levels, allowing deeper study in specific areas.
  • Assessment: A-levels are predominantly assessed through final exams, with some subjects including coursework.

American Diploma

  • Structure: High school diploma awarded upon completion credit-based graduation requirements between grades 9-12 (ages 14-18).
  • Curriculum: A broad range of subjects is studied, including English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and electives. Students typically take a mix of core and elective courses.
  • Assessment: Assessment is continuous, with grades based on a combination of assignments, tests, and projects throughout the year.

American Diploma with AP Subjects

  • Structure: Similar to the American diploma but includes Advanced Placement (AP) courses.
  • Curriculum: AP courses are college-level classes in various subjects. Students may earn college credit based on their performance on AP exams.
  • Assessment: In addition to regular assessments, students take AP exams at the end of the course, which are scored on a scale of 1-5. Students receive a school-based course grade and an AP Exam grade.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma

  • Structure: A two-year program typically taken in the last two years of high school (ages 16-18).
  • Curriculum: The IB diploma program includes six subjects across different disciplines, along with IB core components: Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Extended Essay (EE), and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS).
  • Assessment: Assessment includes internal and external evaluations, with exams at the end of the program and a focus on critical thinking and research skills.

Summary of Key Differences

  • Specialization: British A-levels allow for deeper specialization compared to the broader American high school curriculum.
  • Advanced Courses: AP courses offer advanced study opportunities within the American system, while the IB program integrates advanced courses within a holistic approach incorporating the IB core components.
  • Assessment Methodologies: British A-levels focus heavily on final exams, whereas American diplomas (with or without AP) use continuous assessment, and the IB combines various assessment methods, including internal and external assessment.

Each system has its strengths, and the best choice often depends on a student’s individual goals and learning style.

What are A-Level Courses?

The A Level (Advanced Level) is a subject-based qualification conferred as part of the General Certificate of Education, as well as a school leaving qualification offered by the educational bodies in the United Kingdom to students completing secondary or pre-university education. Obtaining an A Level, or equivalent qualifications, is generally required for university entrance, with universities granting offers based on grades achieved.

A Levels are generally worked towards over two years. Normally, students take between 3 and 5 A Levels in their first year of sixth form, and most cut back to 3 in their second year

What are AP subjects?

AP subjects are advanced placement courses which are university level courses given to students in American High School.

When does my child need the school sports uniform?

The School sports uniform is required as of Grade 2 in the American Elementary School and Year 3 in the British Primary School. Before that, it is not required.

The Sports Uniform is comprised of navy blue shorts or navy blue pants, and a white  short sleeved t shirt or white long sleeved t shirt.