Although the mother school started in 1886 in Lebanon, the first branch of The International Schools of Choueifat (members of the SABIS® School Network) in the Gulf started in 1975-6. Now, there are nine schools located in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Al-Ain, Ras Al-Khaimah, Ruwais, Um Al-Qiwain, Doha and Muscat. Courses in all the schools are followed at the same rate. Through the use of videoconferencing, for both teaching and weekly administrative meetings, these nine schools run practically as one. Accordingly, students who transfer from one SABIS® School to another will continue in the new school at exactly the same point at which they left. Transfers can be made at any time during the year, subject to availability of places. This feature gives a definite advantage to parents who may move from one city to another on a temporary or a permanent basis.