Our older daughter, now 35, attended Dhahran Academy (SAIS) in the Eastern Region from 1981-85 and then the SAIS-A-Riyadh from 1985-89, while the younger, 29 now, attended the British School in Riyadh from 1985-89.
In our view the system of education delivered by the American School is certainly much more rounded, has added value, and also instills a great amount of independence, confidence, and strength into the hearts and minds of the student. The British School, on the other hand, while extremely strict in terms of discipline, concentrates on specific academic achievements to a greater degree.
Both schools provided ample opportunity for sports, recreation, arts, drama, field trips etc.
Bullying is not specific to any particular school. It prevails in the hearts and minds of the students in the school.
Over here, we have a mixed bag of square pegs in round holes, so to speak of expat families, some from their home nations, some who are migrants in western nations. While most of these parents are holding top positions in various private sector and public organizations, enjoying fabulous financial and other perks, they may not all be properly situated in their homes from a psychological, social, ethical, practical and disciplined manner.
If you simply look at the way many of these nattily dressed, three piece-suit, types drop their kids off at school in the mornings, violating every single rule in the highway code, you will understand what I mean.
While both our gals have been very successful in their professional careers, today, our personal choice would be the American System of education based on our own experiences, here.
Discipline can never be enforced from only within a school if it is lacking in the home.
You cant prevent a young man from smoking if his father is puffing away at home, in the car and at work, 24 X 7...
You cant expect the chap to refrain from using F#$% words when he hears it morning, noon and night, freely expressed within the home....
You cant expect him to treat other people with kindness, sincerety, truth, and honesty, when his Dad and Mum violate every ethical code in the book in his presence....
Charity, still begins at home!