School Profile

Located in the heart of the historical city of Damascus, DCS is a non-profit, independent, co-educational day school offering an American curriculum and instructional program from pre-school through grade 12 for students of all nationalities. The school serves American and expatriate students whose parents work in the diplomatic corps, the United Nations, the international business community as well as host-country students or others in long term residence in Damascus, Syria.

Founded in 1957, the school has expanded to include a comprehensive program from pre-kindergarten to a full college preparatory high school. About 40 different nationalities from all around the world are represented in the school population. 80% of the high school students are bilingual. All faculty members are certified teachers and 74% have masters' degrees.

DCS is accredited by both the Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges and the Commission on International Trans-Regional Accreditation.

Damascus Community School is located on U.S. Government property in the center of Damascus. The beautifully landscaped school campus is located within walking distance to major embassies and shopping areas. The school's eleven buildings house 39 classrooms and administrative offices. The school facilities include:

- A full library
- Two science laboratories
- Three computer laboratories
- Administrative and counselor offices
- A gymnasium and athletic field
- Basketball and tennis courts
- Two large toy playgrounds
- A multipurpose building
- Art and music rooms
- A cafeteria serving nutritionally balaced hot meals
- A wellness center for students, staff and parents

The school implements a college preparatory American curriculum, taught exclusively in English. Educational diagnosis and limited English as a Second Language (ESL) assistance are available for students when necessary. With the expansion of DCS into a full high school program and an incremental strengthening of the academic program, Advanced Placement (AP) courses in Chemistry, Calculus, Biology, English, U.S. History, French, Human Geography and Computer Science are now offered and others will be added as demand and staffing dictate. All high school students have seven classes per day with no free periods.

DCS graduated its first senior class in June of 1994. Nearly one hundred percent of DCS graduates are now attending, or have graduated from, colleges or universities around the world.