The history and development of IIS-Dammam can be the subject of a case study for any management guru or institution as an example of a successful community establishment without profit motive and private interests. It was the vision and initiative of philanthropists that helped start such an institution under the community umbrella 30 years ago. From a humble beginning with 200 students and 15 teachers in 1982, the school has now flourished to become the largest educational institution affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) in New Delhi with over 16,000 students, 800 teachers and 200 administrative and support staff. This institution is taking care of the primary and secondary educational needs of Indian expatriate students in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. The motto of the school is “In Quest of Excellence”. The school along with its staff and management is striving to shape the students as excellent individuals who are capable of facing the challenges of tomorrow. In spite of the large number of students and the universal admission policy of the school, the academic excellence is being maintained at all levels, especially in class X and XII board examinations for many years. The academic performance of the school is comparable with any of the top class institutions back in India or in the Middle East. In 2012 class X CBSE exams, the school had 100% results with 120 A1 grades with 10 CGPA in all five subjects which is the highest number in the Gulf. In class XII exams too the result was excellent. Ms Aishwarya Shashidharan scored 96.8% and stood first in the Kingdom. Ten IISD students were among the top .1% ranks on the basis of overall results of class XII in India and abroad. They were awarded the scholarship for higher education under the MHRD of the Indian government. The school is proud to have world class infrastructure facilities that make learning an enjoyable experience. The students can use the school's massive multipurpose halls for indoor games. Other facilities like fully equipped gymnasiums, advanced labs for Computer Science, Biotechnology, IT and all other conventional science subjects make studying easy. Libraries with thousands of books provide the students and teachers alike sufficient reading and reference materials. The libraries are also stocked with educational CDs, which can be utilized for teaching and learning activities during class hours. Libraries and reading rooms are supplied enough copies of newspapers, journals and magazines. The school is committed to community services. It has a Special Care Section to groom children suffering from various difficulties under the care of teachers trained to bring up differently-abled children. Academics is the priority and the school gives it due importance. Special coaching programs are organized for low achievers during afternoon hours to help them stay level with other students. It also takes care in sharpening and improving the performance of high achievers in all classes. The Annual Career Fair is a regular feature of the school. The Career Guidance Cell makes available brochures, booklets and posters from various institutions and universities in the career corner in both the girls and boys sections. Seminars and career counselling are organized from time to time. The school counselor is available to help and guide the children facing learning problems. Parents are also called and sometimes counseled along with the children. Educational exhibition is conducted every year in order to provide ample opportunities for the students to showcase their innovative talents, creativity and scientific achievements. Thousands of students participate in the science exhibition with many innovative projects and experiments. As an extra curricular activity boy scouts and girl guides activity has been introduced in the school since 2007. Club activities like Arts Club, Science Club, Literary Club, Math Club and Health and Wellness Club give ample opportunities to children to show their multifarious talents and interests. The CCA activities organized in the school on a regular basis provide opportunities for children to show their creative, cultural and literary talents. The Talent Search Exam the school conducts every year helps to identify the talented children and motivate them to work hard and to improve their skills and ability. The school band and choir group lend color to many of the school activities. In sports the performance of the school is outstanding and commendable. IISD was the overall champion in the Inter-School Cluster Meet for the CBSE affiliated schools for five years, ending up as first runner-up in 2010. IISD students have topped in inter-school debate competition and inter-school quiz competition conducted for the CBSE affiliated schools in the Kingdom. The school is continuing its mission of imparting the best education without compromising on values and ethics of the motherland as well as the host country. Two of IISD teachers are the recipients of the prestigious National Best Teachers Awards, Ms Mariyu Sageer, Headmistress, Boys Middle Section, received the Best Teacher Award from the CBSE in the year 2000 and Dr. E.K. Mohammed Shaffe, Principal, received the National Best Teacher Award from the President of India in 2010.
