School profile

At Rise International School Erbil, a strong and diverse community is essential for providing our students with a rich and meaningful educational experience. Founded in 2017 and graduating our first cohort in 2019, our school has quickly become known for its commitment to academic excellence, personalized learning, and fostering a vibrant and inclusive community.

Our graduates have gone on to attend a wide range of universities in Kurdistan and abroad, including some of the most prestigious institutions in the world. We take great pride in our alumni making a positive impact in their communities and beyond, largely thanks to the rigorous and supportive education they received at Rise International School Erbil.

One of the defining characteristics of our community is its diversity. We welcome students from all backgrounds, cultures, and nationalities, and our student body comprises young people from 10 different countries. More than half of our students come from outside Iraq each year, creating a truly global learning environment that fosters empathy, cultural awareness, and a deep appreciation for the world around us.

At Rise International School Erbil, we are proud to be a part of a community that values diversity, academic excellence, and a commitment to positively impacting the world. We invite you to join us and become a part of our vibrant and supportive community.

Rise International School-Erbil (RISE) offers students American and International educational traditions, as well as the benefits of access to the rich culture and heritage of Kurdistan, and Iraq.

RISE offers a mix of curricular and co-curricular activities, with a wide variety of programs that meet the needs and interest of its students.

The school has collaboratively developed and continues to implement an international curriculum based on clear measurable learning goals. The curriculum for the core subjects is aligned to the American Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards and benchmarks. Curriculum guides contain learning objectives that are aligned to the standards and teachers use them to plan their daily instruction in the classroom. The curriculum is endorsed with rich and various online resources and materials in technologically equipped classrooms and laboratories. 

RISE offers a rigorous, well-balanced course of study. Educational materials used are selected for their viability in the American curriculum and adaptability to the local environment. The curriculum is also designed to prepare the students for the College Board Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) General Test with content and skills for the tests well-integrated in the curriculum. Thus, the SAT program is implemented at RISE. A minimum 800/1600 (not less than 400 in each section) must be achieved for graduation. 

Rise International School-Erbil (RISE) offers a variety of Advanced Placement (AP) courses to challenge and engage students. The following AP courses are currently offered: Calculus AB, Biology, Chemistry, Physics C: Mechanics, Human Geography, Psychology, Computer Science A. 

The AP courses provide students with the opportunity to earn college credits and to demonstrate mastery of advanced academic skills and knowledge. Students taking AP courses are expected to complete extensive coursework, engage in independent research projects, and participate in discussions and group activities.

Rise International School-Erbil (RISE) has had its International Education Programmes accredited by City & Guilds as meeting its quality assurance criteria. From 20th July 2022 to 20th July 2025. Centre Number: 847289G 

Grade Point Average is calculated by dividing the total number of grade points earned to the total number of credit hours attempted. Students earn full credit (or more: 1.25 credits) per year for successful completion of a course of 5 hours per week. Beginning with grade nine, all subjects passed are included in the computation. A minimum of 24 credits is required for graduation.

2022 SAT-1 Results:  Students scored between 400 and 650 in English, and between 390 and 790 in Math. The total SAT-1 scores range from 830 to 1430, with the highest individual English score being 650 and the highest individual Math score being 790. The average English score for the students is 504, and the average Math score is 588, with an average SAT-1 total score of 1092.

2022 AP Results: A total of 42 students took the AP tests, with 10 out of 14 (71.4%) students achieving a score of 3 or higher in AP Calculus, 9 out of 14 (64.3%) students achieving a score of 3 or higher in AP Chemistry, 8 out of 12 (66.7%) students achieving a score of 3 or higher in AP Biology, and 2 out of 2 (100%) students achieving a score of 3 or higher in AP Physics. The average percentage of students who achieved a score of 3 or higher across all subjects is 67.3%. 

2022 Placement: Medicine 40%, Engineering 15%, Education 15%, IT & Computer Science 15% , Business & Marketing 10%, Psychology 5%. 

RISE is a vibrant academic community consisting of 38 staff, 5 administrative staff, and a diverse student body. Our faculty is composed of highly qualified teachers, with 20 holding degrees in education and 8 holding master's degrees. 

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