Classical School of the Medes

CSM began in response to requests from local church and government authorities to establish a school with English-based curriculum and international training support. The first CSM opened in The City Of Slemani in January 2001 and now enrolls 1000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade. A second CSM opened in Dohuk, Iraqi Kurdistan in the fall of 2002 and now enrolls 600 students (K1-G12). In September 2003, a third CSM campus opened in Hawler which enrolls 1400 students (K-1-G12 ).

Over 95 percent of the students come from Kurdish Muslim families, with the remainder from Catholic Christians, Orthodox Christians, Evangelical Protestants, and other backgrounds. Many students are children of local government officials and community leaders.

CSM schools draw from the classical educational model and use English-based curriculum for most subjects; supplemental classes are taught in Kurdish and Arabic. The students take general SAT test during their high school years and AP Exams as of 2020 The passing grade for AP tests is 3 and for the SAT general is 400.

American staff typically teach one or two courses per semester, with the balance of their time spent in relationships with students, their families, and community contacts. All curriculum development, international staffing, and training is coordinated through Servant Group International, a US-based non-profit Christian organization.

Educators in America compile the program curriculum. Curriculum and supplies are shipped from America to Iraq each summer.

Core subjects include:

• English language
• Kurdish language
• Arabic language
• Mathematics
• Science (usually branch per school year)
• Humanities (emphasis on Ancient Mesopotamian, Roman and Greek history)
• Geography (for students of Grades 3, 4, and 5)
• Maps (for students of Grades 1, 2, and 6)
• Fairness (for students of K-G 2 and Grades 1, 2, 3, 4 )
• French and Spanish for Grades 9 and 10
• Linguistics (Grade 11)
• Mathematics level 2 (Senior year)

• Dress Up Party (October 30 or 31)
• Thanksgiving (last Thursday of November)
• Valentine (February 12 or 14)
• Newroz Party (March 8)
• Spring Picnic (leaving April)
• Christmas Party (December 25th)
• Easter Party

The Median Ink is the second English newspaper and the first school newspaper in Kurdistan, run by the high-schoolers and sold to everyone. An issue comes out every month and talks about in-school happenings and famous events outside school. The price of each issue is about 1000 IQD.

• Medes School