principal's welcome

 Dear Parents, Guardians, and Students, 

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to Rise International School – Erbil (RISE) 

Since opening our doors in 2017, RISE has been committed to shaping globally minded, ambitious, and compassionate young leaders. Our graduates, starting from 2019, have gone on to pursue higher education both locally and internationally, continuing to make us proud through their achievements. 

At RISE, we provide a rigorous international curriculum aligned with American Common Core Standards, Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), and College Board SAT & AP pathways. We are accredited by ASIC (Premier Status) and City & Guilds UK, and currently carry out Cognia accreditation process ensuring the quality of education we deliver stands on solid international benchmarks. 

We are proud to share that: 

• 52% of our graduates have secured university placements abroad, while 48% are pursuing studies in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. 

• Our graduates’ academic choices reflect both ambition and diversity: 

◦ Medicine: 40% 

◦ Engineering: 15% 

◦ Education: 15% 

◦ IT & Computer Science: 15% 

◦ Business & Marketing: 10% 

◦ Psychology: 5% 

This success reflects not only the strength of our curriculum but also the dedication of our teachers and the supportive learning environment that defines RISE. 

Our vision goes beyond academics—we aim to nurture caring, open-minded individuals who embrace both international and traditional values, equipping them to thrive in a rapidly changing world. 

As the principal of RISE, I am honored to lead this incredible community and continue building on its strong foundation. Together with our students, parents, and staff, we will carry forward the mission of preparing future leaders who will shape a better tomorrow. 

We warmly welcome you to join us on this journey toward excellence and success. 

Sincerely, 

Hakan Arslan (Kevin)

Principal 

Rise International School – Erbil