Eastwood College

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP)

The IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) is an internationally recognized, academically rigorous program that equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary for the 21st century. Eastwood Schools high standards, goals and professional approaches are strongly aligned with the IB vision and mission which creates a natural partnership. Together we will shape the movers and shakers – students with the knowledge, creativity, and confidence to initiate change and positively impact the world.

Founded in 1968, the International Baccalaureate (IB) is a non-profit educational foundation offering four programs of international education that develop the intellectual, personal, emotional and social skills needed to live, learn and work in a rapidly globalizing world. Schools must be authorized, by the IB organization, to offer any of the programs. Its main aim of catering for students with different cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds resonates very well with the mission of Eastwood Schools.

American-based International Program

The American-based International Program (for students with the legal exemption from advanced studies in Arabic) leads to a High School Diploma accredited by the Lebanese Ministry of Education on completion of Grade 12. The language of instruction is English; Arabic and French are taught as second languages. Support is offered for students sitting internationally recognized external exams such as the SAT, SAT II, and TOEFL. Advanced Placement (AP) courses are offered to able and motivated students who wish to pursue college-level studies while still at school. All students explore a subject in depth, develop analytical reasoning skills, and form disciplined study habits which contribute to continued academic success.

Lebanese Program

The Lebanese Program prepares students for the national official examinations, Lebanese Brevet and the Baccalaureate in General Sciences, Life-Sciences, Sociology and Economics, or Literature and Humanities.

The language of instruction is English except for courses in social studies, philosophy and Arabic literature which are taught in Arabic.

French is introduced in nursery class as a third language.

English as a Foreign Language Program

The English as a Foreign Language Program (EFL), established in 1990, is offered to those students whose mother tongue is not English. As a result of its diverse student population, approximately 35 different nationalities may be represented at Eastwood Schools at any given time. Consequently, some students arrive at Eastwood Schools with little or no knowledge of the English language. Students in the EFL program are provided with individualized pull-out sessions in groups of four students. Every student has an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) and works towards student specific goals.

Beginners focus on verbal communication skills and applying oral lessons in reading and writing activities. Vocabulary comprehension, proficiency, and reading and writing abilities are developed as the student progresses and fluency is acquired. Depending on the student, full integration into mainstream classes ensues after a length of time in the EFL Department.

Arabic as a Second Language Program

The Arabic department offers a special Arabic program to students with little or no knowledge of the Arabic language. The four basic skills; listening, speaking, reading, and writing are taught at many levels within the department to enable students to gain a working knowledge of the language. The curriculum is enhanced by having students of different nationalities and backgrounds within the school. ASL outings and school trips to retail outlets, shopping malls, cultural heritage sites, and places of environmental interest all reinforce the curriculum. Students gain confidence, self-respect, and general knowledge of the Arabic language.

Special Needs Program

The Special Needs Program caters to students with mild learning difficulties. Each student in the Program receives an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) with specific goals directed to his or her educational, social, and emotional needs. Students in a special needs pull-out program are grouped with a maximum of four other students for specialized instruction using strategies catered to each student’s needs and IEP.

Role of technology

Through the use of iPads and with an effort to enhance the academic experience of each individual learner, all students in Grades 5 through 12 use scholastic applications that have been developed by educational publishers, such as WhatsDue, as well as in-house application developers.^[3]

With the growing numbers of educational applications, interactive textbooks and digital information available online, Eastwood Schools is introducing the iPad to enhance classroom learning.

Eastwood Schools believes that various audio-visual media engages students and expands opportunities for individualized learning and research, and facilitates collaboration and interactive activities within the school’s learning environment.

By using their iPads for various coursework, students will be able to maintain digital portfolios of all their work throughout middle and high school that they can use to track their development.

Mansourieh Campus

The Mansourieh campus is situated in the Metn area on the outskirts of Beirut. The 3,600 square meter campus sits on a mountain with views of the capital.

The Mansourieh campus is called the Think Tank campus. Eastwood College Mansourieh serves a maximum of 350 students at any given time.

Kafarshima Campus

The Kafarshima campus is the first established Eastwood College campus. The Kafarshima campus is situated in the heart of the Greater Beirut District. The 9,800 sq meter campus serves approximately 600 full-time students and close to 80 faculty members. It includes faculty housing for expatriate teachers and easy access to Beirut and the entire region.

The Kafarshima campus serves students in the same capacity as the Mansourieh campus and includes more sections of the same grade level. With a spacious facility, Eastwood College hosts a wide range of national sports championships such as kickboxing, karate, and basketball.