King’s Academy P.O. Box 9 Madaba - Manja 16188 Jordan tel +962 430 0230
KING’S ACADEMY Profile 2017-2018
email info@kingsacademy.edu.jo www.kingsacademy.edu.jo CEEB Code 681069 Dr. John Austin, Headmaster
email: jaustin@kingsacademy.edu.jo
Ms. Hala Yaish-Salah, Director of University Counseling and Testing email: hsalah@kingsacademy.edu.jo
Janan Sabeh, Senior Associate Director of University Counseling email: jsabeh@kingsacademy.edu.jo
Mission In a setting that is rich in history and tradition, King’s Academy is committed to providing a comprehensive college-preparatory education through a challenging curriculum in the arts and sciences; an integrated co-curricular program of athletics, activities and community service; and a nurturing residential environment. Our students will learn to be independent, creative and responsible thinkers within an ethical community that encourages young men and women of diverse backgrounds and beliefs to excel, to cherish one another and to prepare for leadership.
History An independent, coeducational boarding and dayschool in Madaba, Jordan that opened its doors in 2007, King’s Academy provides outstanding young men and women from Jordan, the Middle East and the world a unique educational experience, blending an American style of education rooted in the liberal arts and sciences with Middle Eastern history, traditions, language and cultural values.
Accreditation and Memberships In the spring of 2011 and at the conclusion of its fourth year, King’s Academy was awarded full accreditation by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and the Council of International Schools (CIS). The school is also licensed by the Jordanian Ministry of Education. In September 2010, King’s Academy became the first Arab school to gain full membership in the global Round Square organization. In 2014, King’s Academy hosted the Round Square International Conference, which schools from over 25 countries attended. The student-driven conference, where delegates discussed and experienced issues related to Round Square’s IDEALS (internationalism, democracy, environment, adventure, leadership, service), focused on the theme of peace in the Middle East. King's Academy is a founding member of the Global Online Academy (GOA), a consortium of the world’s leading independent schools whose mission is to translate into online classrooms the intellectually rigorous programs and excellent teaching that are hallmarks of its member schools.
Financial Aid and Diversity As the only coeducational residential boarding school of its kind in the region, King’s Academy remains the most diverse school in the Middle East and is a pioneering leader in need-based financial aid. Some 48 percent of King’s students receive need-based aid with a total 2017-2018 financial aid budget of US $11.4 million. For the 2017-2018 academic year, 670 students are enrolled at King’s Academy, of which 146 are seniors. They come from over 35 countries, including various desert towns and villages in Jordan. This level of diversity allows King’s to create a unique community that educates students in ways the formal curriculum alone cannot and to forge a school culture that promotes social equity. August 2017
Service, Leadership and Meritocracy King’s Academy was founded to create what his Majesty King Abdullah II calls “a new tribe in the region . . . the tribe of the talented meritocracy.” King’s requires students to participate in an ambitious co-curricular program in the arts, athletics and community service that emphasizes service to others, teamwork, initiative, and community and civic engagement. King’s students feel a great sense of ownership in the culture of the school, serving in a variety of leadership positions: as residential proctors, as environmental stewards and as elected representatives to the Disciplinary Committee, Academic Honor Committee and Student Council. They volunteer to work in refugee camps, local government schools, Habitat for Humanity builds, water conservation efforts and fundraising initiatives to address urgent issues of poverty, social justice and human rights.
A Liberal Arts Education for the 21st Century At King’s Academy, where English is the language of instruction, students take a remarkably ambitious course of study, including four years of both Arabic and English. Many of King’s students arrive from large government schools at which the language of instruction is Arabic rather than English, where classes of 30 or more are the norm and where the traditions of reading, critical thinking and inquiry are weak. King’s aspires to be a school of engagement, teaching through discussion, debate and dialogue. In addition to courses in math, science, arts and humanities (28 at the AP level), our students take required courses in Arabic literature, history of the Middle East, world religions and Christian and Islamic theology. King’s strives to graduate students who are globally aware, inter-culturally competent and fully bilingual.
The Fine, Performing and Persuasive Arts In the hopes of unlocking each child's creative potential and individuality, King’s Academy offers a range of courses and co-curricular activities in the arts. In addition to classes in the traditional and modern arts of dance, ceramics, mosaics, painting, photography, drawing, acting, animation and design, King’s has a youth orchestra and a rich theatrical program. Over the last few years, the school has put on performances of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream and Macbeth, Arthur Miller's The Crucible, Molière's The Miser, Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot, Noel Coward’s Private Lives, William Gibson’s The Miracle Worker and Tom Stoppard’s Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, most of which were premiered here in Jordan at King's for the first time. King’s also offers a comprehensive and required program in public speaking. Every year each student performs a public declamation in Arabic and English during an all-school competition. Students also participate in Model United Nations (MUN), Model Congress, Debate and Toastmasters.
Calendar
King’s operates on a three-term basis. There are 171 school days. King’s Academy Profile 2017-2018 www.kingsacademy.edu.jo
Curriculum and Course Requirements
Course Offerings 2017-2018
At King’s, Advanced Placement (AP) coursework is integrated into a dynamic curriculum of humanities and sciences. The curriculum is idealistic and rigorous, emphasizing the liberal arts and encompassing eight academic departments: Communication, Rhetoric and the Literary Arts (CRLA) – which includes both English and Arabic languages and literatures; Computer Science; Ethics, Philosophy and Religion (EPR); Fine and Performing Arts; History and Social Studies; Mathematics; Physical and Life Sciences; and World Languages.
Communication, Rhetoric & the Literary Arts
Students usually graduate with an average of four to five AP Exams. A limited number of sophomores take one AP course, while juniors and seniors take two to three AP courses each. Students, on average, take no more than three AP courses each year. The courses below were the graduation requirements of this year’s senior class. For entering 10th, 11th and 12th graders, graduation requirements are pro-rated according to the number of years enrolled at King’s Academy. • • • • • • • • • • • •
Four years of CRLA English Four years of CRLA Arabic Four years of mathematics Three years of physical and life sciences (four years recommended), with advanced laboratory courses taught in the 11th and 12th grades A one-year course on world history in the 9th grade A one-year course on History of the Middle East in the Context of the World in the 10th grade At least one additional year-long course or three term-long courses from the Department of History and Social Studies in the 11th or 12th grades A one-term course on world religions A one-term elective course from the Department of Ethics, Philosophy and Religion (EPR) At least one year – three term-long courses – from the Department of Fine and Performing Arts One term-long course from the Department of Computer Science Islamic Theology is a Ministry of Education requirement for Muslim students
AP Capstone King’s Academy was one of only 100 schools worldwide invited by the College Board to offer its innovative new AP Capstone program in 2014-2015. The program, now in its fourth year, is a two-course sequence of AP Seminar and AP Research that allows students to explore real-world issues while developing their analytic, research, problem-solving and communication skills. AP Capstone Diploma, awarded to students who earn scores of 3 or higher on both AP Capstone courses and on four additional AP Exams of their choosing.
Middle School In fall 2016, King’s Academy opened a middle school for grades 7 and 8. The addition of these grades allows King’s to deepen its mission, extend the educational runway for students, and design a more powerful and integrated curriculum. The Middle School program is both foundational and innovative, drawing on the College Board’s newly established QUEST framework for teaching and learning. That framework emphasizes the skills of questioning, thinking critically and creatively, reading, writing and communication. It seeks to ignite young people’s natural curiosity, wonder, creativity and excitement for learning.
August 2017
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Arabic Language and Literature 1 Arabic Literary Appreciation Arabic Language and Literature 2 Arabic Literature 1 Advanced Arabic (A-Level) Intermediate Arabic 1-3 Language and Composition 1-3 Introduction to Literary Genres regular/honors Arabic Literature in a Global Context regular/honors World Literature and Critical Analysis regular/honors Advanced English – Literary Journalism Introduction to Creative Writing AP English Language and Composition AP English Literature and Composition Narrative Journalism Reading in World Literature/honors Arabic Literary Genres Arabic Capstone Arabic Literature I Arabic Literary Analysis
Computer Science • • • • • •
Introduction to Programming with Alice Introduction to Programming with Python Website Design and Development Introduction to Java Programming AP Computer Science AP Computer Principles
Ethics, Philosophy & Religion (EPR) • • • • • • • •
Introduction to World Religions Introduction to Ethics First Questions in Philosophy Islamic Studies I-III in English Islamic Studies I-III in Arabic Mysticism Islam and Modernity Cultural Politics in Films and the Media
Fine & Performing Arts • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Introduction to Preforming Arts Theater I-II Advanced Theater Tutorial Advanced Improvisational Theater Dance I-II Advanced Dance Tutorial Arabic Folkloric Dance: Dabkeh String Ensemble I-III String Guitar I-III Chamber Music Evening Orchestra Evening Choir Introduction to Studio Arts I-II Drawing and Painting I-II Design I-II Ceramics I-II Sculpture I-II AP Music Theory AP Studio Art: Drawing AP Studio Art: 2-D Design King’s Academy Guitar Orchestra Evening Dance Ensemble
History & Social Studies • • • • • • • • • •
9th Grade World History History of the Modern Middle East I-III AP World History AP European History AP United States History AP Art History AP Comparative Government and Politics AP Human Geography AP Psychology AP Economics (Macroeconomics and Microeconomics)
King’s Academy Profile 2017-2018 2011-2012 www.kingsacademy.edu.jo
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Grading Policy • • • • • •
The US and The Middle East (1972-2013) Arab World on a Global Stage (1950-1972) The Rise of Arab Nationalism (1860-1948) AP Macro Economics Governmental Models: Traditions and Reforms Adolescent Psychology
Mathematics • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Algebra I Geometry Integrated Mathematics Algebra II Algebra II Honors Functions, Statistics and Trigonometry Pre-Calculus Pre-Calculus Honors Introductory Statistics Calculus AP Statistics AP Calculus AB AP Calculus BC
Physical & Life Sciences • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Introduction to Biology Biology Honors Biology Chemistry Honors Chemistry Conceptual Physics Physics Honors Physics AP Biology AP Chemistry AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based AP Physics C: Mechanics Introduction to Research and Literature in Science
World Languages • • • • • • • • • • • •
AP Chinese Language and Culture AP French Language and Culture AP Spanish Language and Culture AY Colloquial Arabic (Beginner/Intermediate) AY Standard Arabic (Beginner/Intermediate) Elementary Arabic I-III Elementary French I-II Intermediate French I-II Elementary Spanish I-II Intermediate Spanish I-II Elementary Chinese I-II Intermediate Chinese I
AP Capstone • •
AP Seminar AP Research
Global Online Academy • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
An Introduction to Bioethics Bioethics Computer Science I: Computational Thinking Computer Science II: Analyzing Data with Python Digital Journalism I Fiction Writing Game Theory Genocide and Human Rights Linear Algebra Macroeconomics Medical Problem Solving I Microeconomics Multi-variable Calculus Neuropsychology Poetry Writing Practical Astronomy Social Psychology
August 2017
Academic work at King’s is graded on a letter scale in which the minimum passing grade is a D. Below are percentage breakdowns for letter grades and Grade Point Averages (GPA): 93% - 100% = A (4.0) 89% - 92% = A- (3.7) 86% - 88% = B+ (3.3) 83% - 85% = B (3.0)
79% - 82% = B- (2.7) 76% - 78% = C+ (2.3) 73% - 75% = C (2.0) 70% - 72% = C- (1.7)
67% - 69% = D+ (1.3) 60% - 66% = D (1.0) 59% and below = F (0.0)
Highest Honor Roll, High Honor Roll and Honor Roll distinctions are awarded to those students who achieve a minimum weighted GPA of 3.9, 3.75 or 3.5 respectively. King’s Academy does not rank its students. Un-weighted GPA Distribution Class of 2018 - Junior Year GPA Range
Weighted GPA Distribution Class of 2018 - Junior Year
Number of
% of
GPA
Number of
% of
Students
Students
Range
Students
Students
3.5 - 4.0
61
41%
4.0 - 4.50
28
19%
3.0 - 3.49
58
39%
3.5 - 3.99
54
36%
2.5 - 2.99
19
13%
3.0 - 3.49
39
26%
2.0 - 2.49
7
5%
2.5 - 2.99
19
13%
1.5 - 1.99
4
2%
2.0 - 2.49
5
3%
Under 1.49
0
0%
1.5 - 1.99
4
3%
Under 1.49
0
0%
Grade Distribution - Junior Year End Grades for the Class of 2018 90 - 100 80 - 89 70 - 79
Department
CRLA - English CRLA - Arabic Physical and Life Sciences Mathematics and Computer Science History and Social Studies Ethics, Philosophy and Religion (EPR) World Languages Fine and Performing Arts All Departments
52% 47% 36% 47% 38% 71% 50% 77% 50%
36% 47% 47% 35% 46% 23% 37% 17% 38%
9% 6% 14% 14% 14% 5% 11% 5% 10%
SAT Subject Test Scores for the Class of 2018 (through June 2017)
Section Biology – Ecology Biology – Molecular Chemistry English Literature French Math Level I Math Level II Physics Spanish US History World History
Middle 50% 440 - 500 410 - 510 510 - 690
Mean 517 515 591 573 380 553 621 585 640 605 647
440 - 610 380 - 380 500 - 610 540 - 680 510 - 660 560 - 720 530 - 680 610 - 680
Evidence based Reading and Writing Math Mathematics Reading Writing Total
Middle 50% 500 - 630
2 2 6
0 - 59
3% 0% 3% 3% 1% 1% 2% 1% 2%
0% 0% 0% 1% 1% 0% 0% 0% 0%
AP Scores In May 2017, 320 candidates sat for 685 examinations. Scores of 5 were received by 25% of the candidates; scores of 4 were received by 27%; and scores of 3 were received by 29%.
Summary of A-Level Arabic Results 2017
Result
Number of Students
A*
50
A
43
B
10
C
1
AP Recognition Awards 2017
SAT Summary for the Class of 2018 (through June 2017)
Section
Students Tested 7 4 58 7 1 56 58 25
60 - 69
Mean Students tested
In 2017, 128 King's Academy students were recognized by the College Board: AP Scholar Award
45
570
AP Scholar with Honor Award
25
AP Scholar with Distinction Award
58
AP Capstone Diploma
9
AP Seminar and Research Certificate
10
27 - 33
30
530 - 670
590
25 - 32
29
25 - 31
28
1040 - 1280
1160
125
King’s Academy Profile 2017-2018 www.kingsacademy.edu.jo
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Five-Year University Matriculation List
UNITED STATES Allegheny College American University Amherst College Arcadia University Babson College Bard College Barnard College Bates College Bentley University Bethel University-MN Boston College Boston University Bowdoin College Bradley University Brigham Young University Brown University Bryn Mawr College Bucknell University California State University, Long Beach Carnegie Mellon University Case Western Reserve University Champlain College Chapman University Clark University Clarkson University Colby College College of William and Mary Colorado College Columbia College Chicago Columbia University Connecticut College Cornell University Cypress College Dartmouth College DePaul University Dickinson College Duke University Emmanuel College Emory University Fashion Institute of Technology Florida Institute of Technology Fordham University Franklin & Marshall College George Mason University Georgetown University Georgia Institute of Technology Hamilton College - NY Harvard University Houston Baptist University Houston Community College Irvine Valley College Kendall College Kenyon College Knox College Lafayette College Lasell College Lawrence University Lehigh University Loyola University Chicago Lynn University Marist College Marymount University Massachusetts Institute of Technology Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences Michigan State University Middlebury College Moravian College Mount Holyoke College Muhlenberg College New York University Northeastern University Northern Arizona University Northwestern University Oberlin College Pennsylvania State University Pierce College Pitzer College Pratt Institute Princeton University Providence College Purdue University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Rhode Island School of Design Rhodes College Rice University Rochester Institute of Technology Rollins College
August 2017
Rutgers University-New Brunswick Saddleback College Santa Clara University Santa Fe College Sarah Lawrence College Sewanee: The University of the South Simmons College Skidmore College Smith College St. Edward's University Stanford University Stony Brook University Suffolk University Swarthmore College Syracuse University Temple University Texas Christian University The George Washington University The New School The University of Arizona The University of Tampa The University of Texas, Dallas Trinity College Trinity University Tufts University Union College United States Naval Academy University of California, Berkeley University of California, Los Angeles University of California, San Diego University of California, Santa Cruz University of Colorado at Boulder University of Evansville University of Florida University of Houston University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign University of Maryland, College Park University of Miami University of Michigan University of Nebraska at Lincoln University of Notre Dame University of Rhode Island University of Richmond University of Rochester University of San Diego University of South Carolina Upstate University of South Florida, St. Pete University of South Florida, Tampa University of St. Thomas University of Tulsa University of Utah University of Washington University of Wisconsin, Madison Virginia Tech Wake Forest University Washington and Jefferson College Washington College Wellesley College Wentworth Institute of Technology Wesleyan University West Virginia University Wheaton College MA Williams College Yale University Yavapai College CANADA Carleton University Concordia University Dalhousie University Emily Carr University of Art and Design McGill University McMaster University Queen's University Ryerson University University of Alberta University of British Columbia University of Ottawa University of Toronto University of Victoria University of Waterloo UNITED KINGDOM Anglia Ruskin University Brighton and Sussex Medical School Brunel University London Cardiff University City University London
Coventry University Hult International Business School Imperial College London Istituto Marangoni, London King's College London Kingston College Newcastle University Queen Mary University of London Regent's University London Royal Holloway, University of London School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London St George's, University of London Swansea University The University of Edinburgh The University of Manchester The University of Nottingham University College London University of Bath University of Brighton University of Bristol University of Cambridge University of Central Lancashire University of East Anglia University of Exeter University of Glasgow University of Kent University of Lincoln University of Reading University of St Andrews University of Surrey University of Sussex University of the Arts London University of the West of England University of Westminster MIDDLE EAST American University in Dubai American University of Beirut American University of Madaba - Jordan American University of Sharjah Bard College at Al-Quds University Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management Georgetown University School of Foreign Service - Qatar German - Jordanian University Jordan University of Science and Technology Lebanese American University Northwestern University in Qatar Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland - Bahrain Technion Israel Institute of Technology Texas A&M University at Qatar The American University in Cairo The British University in Egypt The Hashemite University - Jordan University of Dubai University of Jordan Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar Yarmouk University - Jordan OTHER Bard College Berlin - Germany Business School Lausanne - Switzerland Charles University - Czech Republic Eastern Mediterranean University - Turkey École Hôtelière de Lausanne - Switzerland Ewha Womans University - South Korea Franklin University Switzerland - Switzerland Glion Institute of Higher Education - Switzerland Jacobs University - Germany John Cabot University - Italy Korea University - South Korea Manipal University - India Marist - Florence - Italy Queensland University of Technology - Australia Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland - Ireland Sciences Po - France Sciences Po - Columbia University Dual BA Program Technische Universiteit Delft - Netherlands The American University of Paris - France The Chinese University of Hong Kong - Hong Kong Universität Siegen - Germany University of Pecs - Hungary Webster University (Geneva) - Switzerland Yale-NUS College - Singapore Yonsei University - South Korea
King’s Academy Profile 2017-2018 www.kingsacademy.edu.jo
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