Arabic Year Brochure 2023

Arabic Year at Ki n g › s Ac a d e m y

The Program Arabic Year at King’s Academy (AY) offers high school students the opportunity for short-term enrollment at King’s Academy, a prestigious American-style boarding school in Jordan. While at King’s, AY students take a combination of specialized courses in Arabic language, along with traditional American curriculum courses in science, world languages, mathematics, English and the arts.

The program is designed for students in grades 10 through 12 who want to learn Arabic and explore the history, politics and culture of a vital part of the world.

The goal of AY is to allow students to make substantial progress in Arabic language study, soak in the history and culture of the Middle East and “learn by doing” through off-campus educational excursions in Jordan and the region.

AY Curriculum Students at AY take a combination of traditional high school classes and unique Arabic Year courses. The program allows students to transition back to their home schools seamlessly following their year at King’s Academy. A typical weekly course load includes classes in Arabic, Arabic literature in translation (English), history, science and mathematics. Students have access to the regular curriculum, including 24 AP courses. Courses are taught by King’s Academy faculty who hail from Jordan, the United States and various other countries in the Middle East and the west.

AY Cultural and Experiential Learning Weekends are opportunities for cultural immersion and experiential learning.

Destinations include world-famous locales such as the Nabatean city of Petra, the Roman ruins at Jerash, the Crusader Castle at Karak, and the desert canyons of Wadi Rum, once home to Lawrence of Arabia. In addition, students visit less renowned but equally spectacular sites such as the natural desert water park of Wadi Hasa, the 1500-year-old mosaic map in the floor of St. George’s Church in Madaba and the first Umayyad minaret at Al Qastal. Students also participate in a wide array of culture-specific activities ranging from Arabic cooking classes, to calligraphy workshops, to dabkeh (folkloric dancing) to Arabic movie nights.

Longer breaks offer opportunities to travel the region, with trips to Middle Eastern countries such as Morocco, Egypt, Turkey, Oman and the United Arab Emirates.

AY and King’s Academy offer insight and exposure to Arab identity and the Islamic religion. Immersed in the daily life of Jordan, AY students gain a personal connection to Middle Eastern culture and perspective. AY students also participate in organized weekend immersion opportunities with Jordanian families.

Living at King’s Academy The 144-acre King’s Academy campus is a perfect blend of modern innovation and the rich traditions of the region. Along with nine dormitories, the campus includes an athletic complex with swimming pool, basketball court, tennis courts, squash courts, soccer field, running track and fitness center. The academic buildings include classrooms, science labs and arts studios. Other facilities include a 700seat auditorium, a 50,000 volume library, a health center, a dining hall, a student union and a spiritual center. In total, more than 50 members of the faculty reside on campus.

AY participants follow the same daily routine as King’s Academy students. Classes run from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, followed by co-curricular activities, dinner and then proctored study hall in the dormitories. AY participants adhere to all the rules associated with residential life at King’s Academy.

Afternoon co-curricular activities include a wide range of offerings such as interscholastic athletics (soccer, basketball, volleyball, swimming, tennis, cross country, squash) and club activities, such as robotics, drama, horseback riding, Model UN, debate, cycling, community service, scuba diving, student newspaper and literary magazine.

About Jordan King’s Academy is situated in the rural countryside near the historic town of Madaba in Jordan. The campus is only a half-hour drive from the country’s main international airport and from the capital, Amman. Jordan has also been ranked repeatedly as one of the safest countries globally and is known for being an oasis of security in the Middle East.

Jordan’s location, and reputation for security, makes it a popular destination for international students interested in understanding the history and politics of the region, and of course, in studying Arabic. King’s Arabic Year program attracts students from the best schools in the United States, who are seeking the cultural and educational benefits of living and learning in a different part of the world.

Jordan has thousands of unique historical, natural and cultural offerings which means students have endless opportunities for fun, adventure, exploration and learning. Students can visit the world wonder Petra and ancient Roman city Jerash, float in the Dead Sea, and explore the desert of Wadi Rum — where movies such as Star Wars: Episode IX, Aladdin and The Martian were all filmed on location!

Students or families interested in learning more about Arabic Year should contact the King’s Academy Office of Admissions at arabicyear@ kingsacademy.edu.jo or call +962 6 430 0230.

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