Abdul Hamid Sharaf School

Abdul Hamid Sharaf School (AHSS) is a private school in Amman, Jordan. It was founded by Farid and Sue Dahdah, in 1980. It is named after the former prime minister Abdul Hamid Sharaf, who had recently died at the time.

The Abdul Hamid Sharaf School is a unique, non-traditional institution. It has many characteristics that make it different from most schools.

In the Abdul Hamid Sharaf School, the needs, feelings, and characteristics of children shall be considered in the planning of learning experiences. Discipline will be an important part of the school and will be developed, but regimentation will not be allowed because it is incompatible with the nature of children. Children must be helped to develop self-discipline and to accept responsibility for their own actions. Children shall be encouraged to clarify and develop their own sets of values: honesty, respect for other people and their property, and good citizenship will be stressed." (p. 60, Guidelines for a Model American School for Jordanians). Then on page 61, "Children should feel proud of their school as they do of their homes. School must be a warm, friendly, accepting place where nobody is afraid or threatened; where everybody feels welcome and wanted and is allowed to reach his or her fullest potential both in personality and intellectual development." While the school has changed and evolved in the 25 years since its founding, its basic child-centered philosophy has not.

The school is located in the Deir Ghbar neighborhood of West Amman not far from the American Embassy, the British Embassy and The French School. The easiest ways to reach the school are to exit from the airport highway or to come from the sixth circle (see Location Map ). The school building and grounds are located on six and one half dunums (approx. 1½ acres). Facilities include:

25 large classrooms Computer Lab Language Resource Room Library Auditorium Music Room Art Room Physics, Chemistry, and Biology Labs Special Education Center Vocational Training and Woodworking Shop Home Economics Room Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball Courts Elementary School Playgrounds and Equipment Bookstore, Uniform Store, and Canteen

AHSS was reaccredited in the Spring of 2009 by the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI) a division of AdvancED. Among the advantages of accreditation, graduates of the American high school program at AHSS would be able to more quickly obtain equalization for their school diploma from the Jordanian Ministry of Education. Equalization is necessary for students who plan to do their college or university studies in Jordan.

AHSS is an associate member of the Near East South Asia Council of Overseas Schools (NESA). Dr. Sue Dahdah has been a member since 1971 while AHSS has been since 1980. School representatives regularly attend the annual administrators' and teachers' conferences organized by NESA throughout the Near Eastern and South Asian regions.

There is a uniform for grades one through seven. The uniform can be purchased from the school. It is practical, consisting of navy blue pants or culottes, white shirts and turquoise or navy blue cardigans and pullovers. Neckties and scarves are available for formal occasions. For physical education, the white school T-shirt, shorts and training suit are necessary. No uniform is required for students in grades eight through twelve although a dress code is in effect.

Curriculum

The Abdul Hamid Sharaf School teaches two different sets of curriculum.

An American curriculum is taught which prepares students to write the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and the Scholastic Aptitude Subject Tests (SAT II). This curriculum is aimed at the students who are from the United States and plan to return there for their post-secondary education. Although completion of the SAT stream and passing marks in the SAT and 6 SAT II tests is recognized by Jordanian universities as proof of secondary education it is not looked favorably upon.

The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) curriculum is also taught. This prepares students for the O level and A level exams which are internationally recognized as proof of secondary education. Passing marks in the O and A level exams are recognized as completion of secondary education by most Jordanian Universities. This stream is often chosen by students who plan to continue into post-secondary education outside of Jordan or in a Jordanian university which teaches in English.

External links

Abdul Hamid Sharaf School Website