KING’S ACADEMY
“We must recognize that some kinds of tasks feel more real and authentic to students than others; that some are more effective than others; that some capture the attention and stoke the curiosity of students more than others; that some excite deep learning better than others. Our challenge as a school is to keep moving along this spectrum, to increase the number and frequency of deep learning opportunities and experiences.� – John Austin Headmaster
Who We Are Established August 2007 Headmaster Dr. John Austin BA, Williams College; MA, Middlebury College; MPhil and PhD, Columbia University Location 32 kilometers southwest of Amman, Jordan and five kilometers from the historic town of Madaba Enrollment 660 girls and boys, in grades 7 through 12. About 70 percent of students are boarders Faculty Almost 100 experienced Jordanian and international teachers Financial aid Over 40 percent of students receive some form of financial aid Internationalism Students and faculty from over 40 countries. About 40 percent of students are international Average class size 13 students Student/teacher ratio 6:1 Boarding students/residential faculty ratio 5:1
Academics Discussion, debate and dialogue are the preferred methods of teaching at King’s Academy. Grounded in the liberal arts and sciences, the academic program provides opportunities for both breadth and depth of study and is recognized by colleges and universities worldwide. • • • • • • • • • • •
Curriculum based on the College Board’s QUEST framework Portfolio-based assessment Advanced Placement exams in 28 subjects In 2016, students sat for 588 AP Exams Opportunities for advanced research and independent study Individual university counseling Summer workshop to prepare for college application process Structured evening study hall Coaching in time management and study skills Language of instruction is English; all students also study Arabic Harkness tables and flexible seating allow for collaborative problem solving
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Co-Curricular Activities The co-curricular program at King’s Academy is designed to complement the academic offerings of the school and is an integral part of helping students explore and expand their interests. Co-curriculars are a required program of daily afterschool activities and include a wide range of offerings. The co-curricular program aims to build teamwork and leadership, improve fitness and wellness, and develop creativity and civic engagement.
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Signature Programs AP CAPSTONE™ PROGRAM Developed by leading universities in collaboration with the College Board, this innovative sequence of courses allows students to develop those habits and mindsets necessary for success in the 21st century. This includes the ability to frame and articulate questions; the habits of disciplined inquiry, research, and collaboration; the skills of analysis, interpretation, and argumentation; and the ability to write with power, speak with precision and effectively present. Working closely with faculty, students develop and design unique projects, learn the elements of research, (interviewing, academic research, fieldwork), explore the boundaries and connections between disciplines, and defend their written work before teachers, peers and experts in the field – much as they would in college or the workplace.
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HARKNESS DISCUSSION Discussion, dialogue and openness to different perspectives stand at the core of our academic program and values. For that reason, our students do not sit passively in neat rows. Instead, our classrooms have been designed to promote active forms of learning. In our “Harkness” seminars – 12-15 students sitting around large oval tables – students do more than simply cover content. They ask questions, listen actively, read deeply, and consider divergent points of view – and in that way they learn the essential skills of respectful discussion, collaboration, and intellectual leadership. This spirit of active inquiry extends well beyond our humanities classrooms – to math, science and computer science, where flexible, modular desks allow for collaborative problem-solving; to our daily sit-down lunches, where students sit at round tables with a teacher or their advisor; and in school-wide discussions following special presentations and speakers.
GLOBAL ONLINE ACADEMY (GOA) At the 2012 meeting of the National Association of Independent Schools, Bill Gates described Global Online Academy (GOA) as a leading innovator in the world of online education. King’s was one of the GOA’s 10 founding schools; the consortium now includes 64 schools in eight time zones, offering over 45 courses. These innovative and interdisciplinary courses are taught by experienced teachers from leading independent schools throughout the world; they are rigorous, engaging and global in perspective; and in almost all cases they fulfill King’s graduation requirements.
ROUND SQUARE King’s Academy is a global member of the Round Square network of schools, a worldwide association of 160 schools in 40 countries. The Round Square philosophy is a celebration of internationalism, democracy and leadership. Membership in Round Square offers King’s students numerous opportunities for growth and learning, both in Jordan and around the world through conference participation, community service and environmental projects. Round Square also offers students the opportunity for summer exchanges at leading independent high schools across the world. King’s students have enjoyed exchanges in North America, South Africa, India and Australia, among others.
The Arts
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The arts are not extras; they are essential, especially for a school like King’s and especially for our students – if we wish to prepare them well for college, career and most importantly a meaningful life. - Headmaster John Austin
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Living at King’s Academy The residential program at King’s is a powerful expression of the school’s mission and a defining element of its educational program. The campus includes nine Houses, each led by teams of experienced faculty living side by side with students and uniquely dedicated to their care and well-being. Each House has established its own traditions, character and sense of pride, but all are united by a common residential curriculum, emphasizing care for self, others and the environment, purposeful leadership, and community engagement. Students have the opportunity to develop life-long friendships with students from across the world and all walks of life, they work together with faculty in creating a strong sense of community, and they develop the necessary skills for the challenges of university life.
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Mentoring At King’s, learning happens not just in the classrooms, but on the playing fields, in the dining hall and in the dorms. Advising and coaching, individualized counseling and learning support, dorm parenting and sit-down lunches, small classes and commitment to discussion as a powerful way to teach – all are designed to enable faculty to develop powerful and individual relationships with students.
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Campus Just 30 minutes away from Amman, nestled amongst olive groves and farmland, the 575-dunum (144 acre) King’s Academy campus is a perfect blend of modern innovation and the rich traditions of the region. Situated just five kilometers from the historic city of Madaba and a short drive from the Dead Sea, the King’s Academy campus includes state-of-the-art classrooms, laboratories and a 50,000-book library, a multi-faith spiritual center and courtyard, nine dormitories, a magnificent auditorium, and one of the finest athletics facilities in the Middle East.
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Location Named “the Middle East’s most easygoing country” (CNN, March 2014). Jordan stands out among countries in the region for its stability, security and long-standing traditions of hospitality and interfaith toleration. It is home to Petra, one of the new seven wonders of the world, and boasts a temperate climate with moderately cold winters and pleasant in the spring and fall. The King’s Academy campus is particularly secure. With a perimeter wall monitored by closed-circuit cameras, the campus is accessed only through fully staffed gates with each vehicle inspected upon entrance by the school’s 24-hour-a-day security personnel. Students are allowed off campus only with permission of parents or when chaperoned by teachers.
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