It’s time to write about one of my favorite schools. Lahore American School is located in Lahore, Pakistan. Lahore is the second largest city in Pakistan (2006 government estimate is about 10,000,000 million population) and, in my opinion, the most beautiful. It is located about 20 minutes from the Pakistan-India border. I was employed at LAS for four years as a teacher and administrator, and I loved my time there even though they were very tense years for Pakistan and the world.
Lahore American School currently has over 410 students and has recovered nicely from the difficulties that it experienced during the aftermath of 9/11. During that period most of the international students left Pakistan to return to their home countries, and while LAS was still as wonderful place to work with great students, it did lose its international flavor during that period. LAS has been building its international student population since 2003 when I left to move to Indonesia. The majority of students at LAS are Pakistani along with a small expat population.
LAS is an independent, coeducational day, college preparatory school that provides educational services for students from Preschool to Grade 12. LAS was founded in 1956 and has a demanding academic environment.
Mission and Philosophy
The Lahore American School, in its pursuit of excellence, offers a comprehensive university preparatory education that challenges our students to be continual learners and responsible citizens with a clear understanding of our global society in an ever-changing world by utilizing an exemplary faculty, American principles of education, and a nurturing environment that optimizes students’ skills in decision making, communicating, and logical thinking.
Facilities
LAS has three traditional divisions: an elementary school, a middle school and a high school. Each is located in its own buildings on a four and one half acre property. Classrooms are air-conditioned, large and well lit. There are 2 music rooms, 2 art rooms, a cafeteria, 3
computer labs, 2 science labs, an EFL room, an infirmary, and a library with over 20,000 volumes. Sports facilities include a cover gym, a soccer field, and a heated swimming pool. The school also has a 350-seat theater.
Curriculum
The LAS curriculum is standards based and was developed in association with the Illinois State Board of Education. LAS has 30 Learner Goals that students must meet before they graduate. A sample goal given on their website is: “Read and understand literature representative from various societies, eras, and ideas. A standard for this is: “Can understand how literary elements and techniques are used to convey meaning.” Then there are performance indicators for various grade levels for this standard.
LAS offers a variety of student programs at all three levels: elementary, middle school and high school. Non-athletic programs include such activities as: Student Council, National Honor Society, Music, Yearbook, SAISA Math, Model United Nations, Debate, Community Service, and much more. I took part in many of these activities and had a great time with the students who are enthusiastic participants.
Extra-curricular Activities
LAS has an active sports program. The team name is the Buffaloes and its colors are Blue and Gold. LAS takes part in the SAISA Athletic Conference. Some of the SAISA sports are Basketball, Volleyball (the Middle School had great volleyball teams during my years there, and I still have a few volleyball team t-shirts), Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, and Soccer. The LAS boys also play cricket against teams from Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi. Additionally, LAS holds two weekend athletic conventions with students from the international schools in Islamabad and Karachi. LAS also has many after-school sports events for younger students.
Technology
LAS has 3 computer labs and most classrooms have at least one computer for teacher use. All computers have network and internet connections. The Middle School has a laptop lab. Technology is integrated throughout the curriculum. Most classrooms have smartboards.
Professional Development
LAS takes part in NESA. No other information is available, but I did find the professional development aspect of the school lacking.
Employment
The majority of teachers at LAS are from North America and Canada. The school is looking for teachers with certification, post graduate education, a minimum of two years experience, excellent recommendations and skills to lead or coach activities. LAS attends major recruiting fairs and may also do interviews via Skype. To apply, candidates need to include a CV, scanned copies of certification, a minimum of 2 references and 2 recent photos with the online application.
The school website doesn’t list salaries but notes that they are competitive. Benefits include: an air-conditioned, furnished house; a car with 100 litres of fuel per month; a tax-free salary of which 85% is paid in U.S. dollars; a settling-in allowance; shipping allowance; paid tuition for dependents; a mobile phone with charges paid by the school; retirement contribution; health care; renewal bonuses for each new contract; paid airfare to and from Lahore; battery packs in all houses.
About Lahore
Lahore is known at the City of Gardens because of the extensive gardens found around the city which is part of its heritage from the Mughal Empire. If you are a history buff or an amateur archaeologist, the city and the surrounding areas are a treasure. Despite the lack of upkeep on some of their historical buildings, there is plenty to explore in this fascinating city: the Lahore Fort, the Shalimar Gardens, the Diamond Market (the red light district), the tombs of Jehangir and Nur Jehan, the Bahshahi Mosque, and the Old City.
But, Lahore isn’t just history. The residents of Lahore (known as Lahoris) are famous for their love of eating, and Lahore is the home of an incredible diversity of eating establishments from the little roadside stands to the Western chains such as McDonalds, Pizza Hut, and Dunkin Donuts. One of my favorite places to eat was Coocoo’s which is a converted brothel and has incredible food and a very interesting clientele. During Ramadhan, the fasting month, the restaurants are packed as the fast ends around sunset.
If you’re looking for technology try Hafeez Center, one of my favorite haunts during my time in Lahore. It’s an old decrepit building (this was five years ago so it may have been renovated since then), but it’s filled with the latest technology with friendly and knowledgeable shopkeepers. And books…Lahore is known as the cultural center of Pakistan and there are many wonderful bookshops with the latest books, as well as some back alley places that sell some classics from pre-Partition times.
Lahore also has fine medical and dental facilities. I had a great dentist, Dr. Khan, who was trained in the UK and had the latest equipment. There are also some modern medical facilities as well. I had emergency surgery there and was very impressed with the doctors and the hospital.
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