Across large studies, students who take part in organized activities tend to concentrate better, behave better and engage more with school, and none of the major studies found that this time hurts their grades. At One World International School (OWIS) Riyadh, these activities make up a program called ASA: Art, Sports and Activities.
How does ASA work at OWIS Riyadh?
From kindergarten to high school, ASA at OWIS Riyadh evolves with each student, moving from discovery and play to commitment and leadership.
Kindergarten
In kindergarten, the year runs in three ASA sessions of 7 to 10 weeks each, with new options every session. Children move between sport, dance, drama and early robotics, building coordination, confidence and friendships without any pressure to specialize.
Primary Grades
Students keep the three-session rotation, with activities that build thinking alongside fun. In Challenge Me, for example, students tackle board games and team puzzles that develop reasoning, communication and fair play. Others choose sport, art or robotics in the ZeroOne Hub, the school’s STEM makerspace.
Middle School
In middle school, ASA becomes part of the weekly timetable, running in the first period on Sundays and Mondays. STEM ASA sets real design challenges, and students begin to lead. They take part in the National Junior Honor Society, debate global issues at Model UN, and pitch ideas in Shark Tank-style business competitions.
High School
High school students commit to one activity for a full term, giving them time to build genuine skill. Many plan and lead sessions, mentor younger students, and help organize school events. This kind of sustained involvement is what universities look for.
What activities are part of ASA?
Students choose from five main areas, each with dedicated spaces on campus:
- Coding and robotics in the ZeroOne Hub
- Sports, including basketball, badminton, table tennis and athletics
- Visual and performing arts in the Performing Arts Studio, Art Room, Music Room and Black Box theater
- Culinary studies, focused on cooking and nutrition
- Photography in the Nikon Lab, with workshops led by professionals
Practice gains meaning when there’s an audience or a challenge at the end of it. OWIS Riyadh hosts:
- Ru’ya: an inter-school innovation exhibition and conference, where students from schools across Riyadh present robotics, AI and sustainability projects to judges, industry experts and university professors.
- M.A.D. Festival (Music, Art and Dance): an inter-school event where students perform and compete.
- Model UN and Shark Tank-style competitions, which build research, debate and public speaking skills.
- Science and Business Fairs, Talent Shows, concerts, TEDx and Sports Day, giving every student a chance to perform.
Why it matters for families in Riyadh
Education in Saudi Arabia is evolving quickly, and Vision 2030 places strong value on sport, culture and the arts as part of everyday life. For families comparing international schools in Riyadh, the question is no longer whether a school offers extracurricular activities, but whether those activities are structured to build real skills over time.
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