Dalat International School
Encyclopedia
Dalat International School is an international
day and boarding school in Penang
, Malaysia. Originally founded as a school for missionary kids, it has grown into an international school with a diverse student population. As of the beginning of the 2010-11 school year, there are 460 students representing 27 different countries. It is one of six international schools on the island and is the only one offering an American curriculum.
For the glory of God we will…
Never stop improving
Never stop inspiring
missionaries in Indo-China. Because of the Vietnam War, in 1965, the school moved from its original location to a temporary location in Bangkok, Thailand.
Eight months later, the school relocated to Tanah Rata in the Cameron Highlands
of Malaysia where it remained for six years.
In June 1971, Dalat moved into what used to be an army R&R
facility along the beaches of Tanjung Bunga in Penang, Malaysia where it has been ever since. In 1999, the C&MA, who had been running the school since its establishment, announced that Dalat School would be closed the following year after it was decided it was no longer feasible to run a school in Malaysia. A number of local expat families approached the school leadership and asked if they would consider keeping the school going as an independent school. After a bit of study of the community it was determined that the school would continue operating and would open its doors to the growing expat business community in Penang. The word "international" was added into the name in 2002 to reflect its student body. Although no longer run by the C&MA, Dalat continues many traditions of their Christian heritage.
Today, Dalat is a full-fledged non-denominational international school that is accredited by the WASC
and the ACSI
and is a member of EARCOS
. While it continues to serve children of missionaries in Asia, it also caters to the expatriate community as well as local Malaysian students.
The sea wall was damaged during the tsunami in 2004.
Plans are currently in place to expand and build a branch campus in Kuala Lumpur
.
As a Christian school, Dalat requires students to take Bible classes and attend chapel. Prayer, Bible study and actively living out the Christian life are key values. Student led prayer meetings are held every Wednesday night with student led worship services taking place throughout the school year. Chapel services are held weekly and Spiritual Emphasis Week and Missions Emphasis Week are special events each year.
In 2010 Dalat started an online high school called Dalat Online where students can attend high school at Dalat International School through online mediums that allow children to remain in locations around the world where there are no international schools available. Students also have the option to enroll in online courses through providers such as Virtual High School and Seven Star Academy.
Advanced Placement (AP) courses are offered for students wishing to earn college credit. English literature
and language
, psychology
, Chinese language
, art
, music theory
, environmental science
and calculus
are offered while other AP courses are made available through distance learning.
Dalat's athletic program regularly competes in soccer (football), basketball, volleyball, swimming, and track and field at state-level competitions with relatively successful records. There are varsity (under 18) and junior varsity (under 16) teams for both genders in each sport. The varsity boys' basketball team won the state championship in 2002 and 2006 and students participating in individual sports have broken a number of state records and regularly win medals.
Malaysia°N date=December 2010°W
International school
An International school is loosely defined as a school that promotes international education, in an international environment, either by adopting an international curriculum such as that of the International Baccalaureate or Cambridge International Examinations, or by following a national...
day and boarding school in Penang
Penang
Penang is a state in Malaysia and the name of its constituent island, located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia by the Strait of Malacca. It is bordered by Kedah in the north and east, and Perak in the south. Penang is the second smallest Malaysian state in area after Perlis, and the...
, Malaysia. Originally founded as a school for missionary kids, it has grown into an international school with a diverse student population. As of the beginning of the 2010-11 school year, there are 460 students representing 27 different countries. It is one of six international schools on the island and is the only one offering an American curriculum.
Mission and vision
Education for life founded on a biblical worldview.For the glory of God we will…
Never stop improving
Never stop inspiring
History
Dalat School was founded in 1929 as a private Christian boarding school in Dalat, Vietnam to provide a North American elementary and high school education for children of Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA)Christian and Missionary Alliance
The Christian and Missionary Alliance is an evangelical Protestant denomination within Christianity.Founded by Rev. Albert Benjamin Simpson in 1887, the Christian & Missionary Alliance did not start off as a denomination, but rather began as two distinct parachurch organizations: The Christian...
missionaries in Indo-China. Because of the Vietnam War, in 1965, the school moved from its original location to a temporary location in Bangkok, Thailand.
Eight months later, the school relocated to Tanah Rata in the Cameron Highlands
Cameron Highlands
The Cameron Highlands is one of Malaysia’s most extensive hill stations. It covers an area of .To the north, its boundary touches that of Kelantan; to the west, it shares part of its border with Perak....
of Malaysia where it remained for six years.
In June 1971, Dalat moved into what used to be an army R&R
R&R (military)
R&R, military slang for rest and recuperation , is a term used for the free time of a soldier in the US military or International UN staff serving in non-family duty stations. R&R includes various forms, including mail, sports, film screenings, using the services of prostitutes and leave time...
facility along the beaches of Tanjung Bunga in Penang, Malaysia where it has been ever since. In 1999, the C&MA, who had been running the school since its establishment, announced that Dalat School would be closed the following year after it was decided it was no longer feasible to run a school in Malaysia. A number of local expat families approached the school leadership and asked if they would consider keeping the school going as an independent school. After a bit of study of the community it was determined that the school would continue operating and would open its doors to the growing expat business community in Penang. The word "international" was added into the name in 2002 to reflect its student body. Although no longer run by the C&MA, Dalat continues many traditions of their Christian heritage.
Today, Dalat is a full-fledged non-denominational international school that is accredited by the WASC
Western Association of Schools and Colleges
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges is one of six official academic bodies responsible for the accreditation of public and private universities, colleges, secondary and elementary schools in the United States and foreign institutions of American origin. The Western Association of...
and the ACSI
Association of Christian Schools International
The Association of Christian Schools International is an association of evangelical Protestant Christian schools.-Purposes:ACSI, a protestant association for Christian schools, impacts nearly 23,000 schools and transforms the lives of more than 3.9 million students worldwide...
and is a member of EARCOS
East Asia Regional Council of Overseas Schools
The East Asia Regional Council of Overseas Schools is an association of some 100 international schools in East Asia which use English as the primary medium of instruction. Its members have over 53,000 students from pre-kindergarten to grade 12. EARCOS also has associate members including...
. While it continues to serve children of missionaries in Asia, it also caters to the expatriate community as well as local Malaysian students.
The sea wall was damaged during the tsunami in 2004.
Plans are currently in place to expand and build a branch campus in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
.
Curriculum
Dalat International School uses United States standards of education that have been compiled by two organizations: 1. McREL Compendium of Standards and Benchmarks and; 2. the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) for K-12 education. Dalat also uses Expected School-wide Learning Results (ESLRs) employing teaching methods that focus on cooperative learning and activity-based content learning.As a Christian school, Dalat requires students to take Bible classes and attend chapel. Prayer, Bible study and actively living out the Christian life are key values. Student led prayer meetings are held every Wednesday night with student led worship services taking place throughout the school year. Chapel services are held weekly and Spiritual Emphasis Week and Missions Emphasis Week are special events each year.
In 2010 Dalat started an online high school called Dalat Online where students can attend high school at Dalat International School through online mediums that allow children to remain in locations around the world where there are no international schools available. Students also have the option to enroll in online courses through providers such as Virtual High School and Seven Star Academy.
Advanced Placement (AP) courses are offered for students wishing to earn college credit. English literature
AP English Literature and Composition
Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition is a course and examination offered by the College Board as part of the Advanced Placement Program.-The Course:This course is designated for motivated students with a command of standard English, an...
and language
AP English Language and Composition
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition is a course and examination offered by the College Board as part of the Advanced Placement Program....
, psychology
AP Psychology
The Advanced Placement Psychology course and corresponding exam is part of the College Board's Advanced Placement Program. This course is tailored for students interested in the field of psychology and as an opportunity to earn placement credit or exemption from a college-level psychology course...
, Chinese language
AP Chinese Language and Culture
Advanced Placement Chinese Language and Culture is a course offered by the College Board as a part of the Advanced Placement Program...
, art
AP Studio Art
AP Studio Art is a series of Advanced Placement Courses divided into three different categories: AP Studio Art Drawing, AP Studio Art 2D, and AP Studio Art 3D.-The portfolio:...
, music theory
AP Music Theory
Advanced Placement Music Theory is a course and examination offered in the United States by the College Board as part of the Advanced Placement Program to high school students who wish to earn credit for a college level music theory course.-The course:Some of the material covered in the course...
, environmental science
AP Environmental Science
Advanced Placement Environmental Science is a course offered by the College Board as part of the Advanced Placement Program to high school students interested in the environmental and natural sciences...
and calculus
AP Calculus
Advanced Placement Calculus is used to indicate one of two distinct Advanced Placement courses and examinations offered by the College Board, AP Calculus AB and AP Calculus BC....
are offered while other AP courses are made available through distance learning.
DIScovery program
Dalat offers an overseas study exchange program called DIScovery for foreign students to enjoy the "Asian experience". DIScovery students will take part in all school activities and receive all the privileges of being a Dalat student. In addition, they will take part in planned cultural outreach and exposure trips to nearby countries and other regions of Malaysia. The purpose is to let students see the peoples, cultures and social needs around them. These trips may include visits to missionaries working in the field, meeting needs in the local community, and helping a country school or providing food and basic resources to a deprived area.Extra-curricular activities
For students who do not wish to take part in team sports, activities such as computer skills, photography, origami, knitting and language skills are offered at the end of the school day. Students are required to participate in these activities as part of Dalat's holistic educational program. In addition to expanding their interests and providing an opportunity to interact with fellow students and make new friends, students can gain skills that may develop into lifelong leisure pursuits.Dalat's athletic program regularly competes in soccer (football), basketball, volleyball, swimming, and track and field at state-level competitions with relatively successful records. There are varsity (under 18) and junior varsity (under 16) teams for both genders in each sport. The varsity boys' basketball team won the state championship in 2002 and 2006 and students participating in individual sports have broken a number of state records and regularly win medals.
Statistics
- The student/teacher ratio is 8 to 1.
- On the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP), Dalat's standardized test for Grades K to 9, 77% of Dalat students scored at or above grade level in math, reading, and language.
- Students scored 10% higher than the US national average on the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test which determines acceptance into US colleges and universities). The US national average is a score of 1509 (501 verbal, 516 math, and 492 writing). In 2010 Dalat students had an average score of 1718 (543 verbal, 612 math, and 563 writing).
- 98% of Dalat students go to a four-year college.
- Graduates have been accepted to colleges and universities including Stanford UniversityStanford UniversityThe Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
, Harvard UniversityHarvard UniversityHarvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
, Johns Hopkins UniversityJohns Hopkins UniversityThe Johns Hopkins University, commonly referred to as Johns Hopkins, JHU, or simply Hopkins, is a private research university based in Baltimore, Maryland, United States...
, University of British ColumbiaUniversity of British ColumbiaThe University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
, National University of SingaporeNational University of SingaporeThe National University of Singapore is Singapore's oldest university. It is the largest university in the country in terms of student enrollment and curriculum offered....
, Cornell UniversityCornell UniversityCornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
, The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina. - Most of Dalat's 60 teaching staff have been educated in North America and a majority of them hold advanced degrees in their academic fields of study.
- The average Dalat teacher has 4 years of Dalat experience and 12 years of experience in education.
External links
- Dalat International School
- Dalat Alumni Official website
- Dalat Online School Official website
- Dalat DIScovery Overseas study
Malaysia°N date=December 2010°W