Tribune News Network
Doha
Education City (EC) High School is transforming secondary education at Qatar Foundation by combining students from three Pre-University Education schools – Qatar Academy Doha, Qatar Academy Sidra, and Qatar Academy for Science and Technology – under one innovative and forward-thinking model.
Mehdi Benchaabane, executive director of QF International Baccalaureate (IB) Schools and director of Qatar Academy Doha (QAD) and Education City High School, highlights the school’s innovative model, its impact on students, and alignment with QF’s goals. He discusses the benefits of shared resources, diverse pathways, and an open campus ecosystem that extends beyond traditional classroom learning.
What was the motivation behind establishing Education City High School, and how does it align with Qatar Foundation’s vision for education?
The idea for Education City High School emerged three years ago as we looked at QF’s strategy and the concept of an open campus. At the time, we saw an opportunity to foster collaboration between QAD and Qatar Academy Sidra (QAS).
The aim was to pool our resources and create a more balanced educational experience. This model evolved further when Qatar Academy for Science and Technology (QAST) joined us, bringing the Advanced Placement (AP) programme with a focus on STEM education. The integration of these schools not only enriched the academic experience but also laid the foundation for Education City High School, which now operates with the core principles of resource-sharing, personalized pathways, and an open campus model.
Could you explain the academic pathways available at Education City High School and how they cater to students’ diverse needs?
Education City High School offers a range of academic pathways designed to accommodate students’ varied interests, strengths, and aspirations. When we combined students from different schools to share resources, our main goal was to broaden the range of choices and tailor the learning experience to each student’s needs.
We began by expanding subject options within the IB Diploma programme (IBDP), then introduced the IB Career-related Programme (IBCP), which was authorized last year. When QAST joined, we added the STEM High School Diploma programme with Advanced Placement (AP) courses , providing a third pathway for students.
Last year, we also introduced a fourth pathway through our collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, strengthening our high school diploma with external validation, to offer more flexibility for personalised learning. This ensures that graduates leave with a robust academic foundation, enhancing their future opportunities.
One of the key principles of Education City High School is the open campus model. How does this benefit students, and how do they engage with universities and research centers within Education City?
The open campus model is central to the vision of Education City High School. It allows our students to access the vast resources of Education City, including universities, research centers, and innovation hubs. This principle is built on the belief that learning should not be confined to a single school; instead, students should be immersed in an ecosystem where they can engage with higher education institutions, industry professionals, and cutting-edge research.
What challenges did you face when integrating students and teachers from different schools, and how did you overcome them?
Integrating students and teachers under one roof was not without its challenges. The biggest hurdle was school identity. However, we knew that fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose was essential for the success of this model. We worked closely with the teachers and students to model collaboration and emphasise the common goal of providing the best possible education for all students, regardless of which school they came from.
What life skills does the school teach to prepare students for university and beyond?
Preparing students for life beyond high school is one of our top priorities, and this extends beyond academics. We have embedded a life skills program within the school that focuses on equipping students with practical skills they will need in university and their future careers. This is to ensure that students are well-rounded and capable of handling real-world challenges and have all the tools they need to succeed so that nothing feels overwhelming or intimidating when they transition to university life, whether in Qatar or abroad.A new era of education begins with innovative pathways and an open campus model at Education City
