The ProgramArabic Year at King’s Academy (AY) offers high school students intensive one-year Arabic language study, Middle Eastern cultural immersion and experiential learning opportunities.

The program is designed for students in grades 10 through 12 (including post-graduate students) who want to learn Arabic and explore the history, politics and culture of a vital part of the world. Students enrolled in AY will live at and be part of King's Academy, an American-style boarding school in Jordan modeled after Deer�eld Academy in Massachusetts. The goal of AY is to allow students to gain �uency in Arabic, soak in the history and culture of the Middle East and “learn by doing” through off-campus educational excursions in Jordan and the region. Students accepted into the AY program must be committed to the work necessary to access a dif�cult language.

Message from King’s Academy Headmaster Dr. John Austin

“We are incredibly excited about the establishment of Arabic Year at King’s Academy. It deepens our mission, it advances our aspiration to be a 21st century boarding school and it strengthens our commitment to cultural exchange and global engagement. Most importantly, it provides interested young men and women an unprecedented opportunity to study Arabic and explore the culture and traditions of the region.

This is a critically important moment in the history of the Middle East. Because of Jordan's unusual position in the region, we are uniquely placed to provide adventurous young men and women with a powerful and, we hope, transformative educational experience at Arabic Year.”

Mission StatementArabic Year at King’s Academy (AY) is committed to providing high school students with:• An intensive one-year program in Arabic language, emphasizing spoken Arabic and introducing students to the essentials of classical Arabic• An immersion in the Middle East that builds appreciation and awareness of the region’s culture and values• Integration of classroom learning with beyond-the-classroom experiences • Challenges that inspire self-reflection and encourage students to consider other perspectives• A curriculum informed by the King’s Academy guiding principles of respect, love of learning, responsibility, an integrated life and global citizenship

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), the modern Middle East (history), world religions, science and mathematics. 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.

The curriculum is individually shaped for each AY student depending on the student’s level of Arabic and grade. AY students have full access to King's Academy's AP courses as well as to regular honors and standard-level courses.

Key to the AY curriculum is the study of Arabic. AY enables students to develop the skills to communicate regionally and locally. Students spend up to 10 class periods each week in Arabic language class learning both formal written Arabic and conversational spoken Arabic. Courses are taught by native Arabic speakers.

“Arabic is new to me – I studied German at Pingry. Arabic classes are tough but cool. It’s an incredible language.”- Sam, New Vernon, NJ

“It was easy to feel at home here. I made friends right away with kids from all over the world – everyone is so friendly. It’s been an amazing experience.”- Kristen, Clarksville, MD

AY Cultural and Experiential LearningAlong with day-to-day life among Arab students and many Arab adults, AY students put weekends and school breaks to good use. Weekends (Friday and Saturday in Jordan) 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, the Red Sea at Aqaba 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.

Longer breaks offer opportunities to travel the region, with recent trips having been made to the West Bank and Jerusalem.

Daily life at AY and King’s Academy offers 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.

Life in JordanAY students live on the King's Academy campus, situated just 30 minutes away from the Jordanian capital Amman, and nestled among olive groves and farmland on the road leading to the historic town of Madaba. King’s Academy was established in 2007 and has already gained a reputation as the region’s premier boarding school. It was founded by Jordan’s king, His Majesty King Abdullah II, and inspired by his experience as a student at Deerfield Academy, an elite US boarding school.

King’s Academy is home to more than 400 students in grades 9-12. Its diverse student body is mostly comprised of students from the Arab world but also includes students from North America, Asia, Africa and Europe. The language of instruction at King’s is English. However, because English is a second language for most students, the social language among students tends to be Arabic. This provides an outstanding opportunity for language immersion at the high school level unique to Arabic Year.

AY Residential Life

Students at AY live among King’s Academy students in the school’s dormitories. These are comfortable and secure single gender residence halls typical at American boarding schools. The six campus dormitories are organized to be small, family units within the entire school community.

Each dormitory hallway is supervised by a faculty member who lives in an adjacent apartment. Faculty are available "24/7," assisting students whenever the need arises on issues ranging from homework assignments to personal problems. Teachers live with the students, eat together with them in the dining hall and participate with them in co-curricular activities in the afternoons, evenings and weekends.

“I spoke some Arabic at home, but here I am able to read and write better than my parents. The teachers here are fantastic.”- Bashaar, Houston, TX

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The King’s Academy campus is 140 acres surrounded by a monitored wall and accessed only through a gate staffed 24 hours a day by security personnel. Along with the six dormitories, the campus includes an athletic complex with swimming pool, basketball court, tennis courts, squash courts, soccer field, running track and fitness center. Two academic buildings include classrooms, science labs and arts studios. Other facilities include a 700-seat auditorium, a 30,000 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.

"I studied Arabic for two summers in Boston, but it was nothing like the experience here. The work load is tough but Miss Lina is awesome. I have a great time in class.”- Alejandro, Revere, MA

AY students follow the same daily routine as King’s Academy students. Classes run from 8 a.m. to the late afternoon, followed by co-curricular activities, dinner and then proctored study hall in the dormitories. AY students adhere to evening curfews and follow all the other 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.

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AY DirectorBefore joining King’s Academy as AY director, Stephen Morison Jr. worked for School Year Abroad (SYA) in China where he taught English literature and co-supervised multiple student trips to Chinese provincial cities and villages. He is a 15-year veteran of the classroom, having taught at boarding schools in the United States, China and Morocco. At King’s, he also teaches English and coaches squash.

AY Admission Students admitted into AY must have demonstrated suitable academic achievement in their current school. They also should have a willingness to immerse themselves in a new culture and language and show the maturity to be able to live in an overseas boarding environment. Students of varying levels of Arabic language – from beginner to advanced – can be enrolled.

“I was looking for a gap year program and this was perfect. I didn’t want to lose steam academically and it has been a really great cultural experience, too. A perfect balance. I’m taking classes here that would never be offered in a school in the U.S.”- Andrea, Seattle, WA

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.

For more information about Arabic Year, log on to www.arabicyear.org or visit us on Facebook.

Arabic Year at King’s AcademyPO Box 9Madaba-ManjaJordan 16188Email: arabicyear@kingsacademy.edu.jowww.arabicyear.org

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Introducing: Arabic Summer at King’s Academy

In addition to Arabic Year, King’s Academy will offer a four-week, residential Arabic language and culture program for students aged 10-16 in the summer of 2013.

Taught by experienced teachers of Arabic as a Second Language, this program is designed both for new Arabic learners and heritage speakers.

Arabic Summer will also include extensive cultural experiences in Jordan. Students will participate in activities such as folkloric dabke dancing, traditional Arab cooking and mosaic making, In addition, they will visit important historical and cultural sites such as Ajlun Castle, the Roman ruins of Umm Qais and the Jordan River baptism site.

Arabic Summer is a residential program, offering students the option of full boarding (seven days a week) or weekday boarding (weekends at home or with relatives). Students will reside in King’s Academy dormitories, supervised by counselors and residential faculty. Girls and boys will reside in separate dormitories. The residential program will feature supervised evening study time and chaperoned afternoon and weekend activities.

The daily schedule during Ramadan will accommodate the needs of Muslim students, with evening iftar and morning suhoor meals, along with time set aside for prayer for those students wishing to participate.

For more information about dates, costs and curriculum, visit us at kingsacademy.edu.jo or call +962 6 430 0230.

King’s AcademyKing’s Academy is a private, not-for-profit, co-educational boarding and day high school (grades 9 to 12) that opened its doors in August 2007 in Madaba, Jordan. The school, which integrates the New England boarding school experience in the historical and intellectual context of the Middle East, follows an English-language, Advanced Placement curriculum. The dynamic curriculum includes an integrated co-curricular program of athletics, activities and community service, and students live in a nurturing residential environment that allows them to flourish personally and intellectually. King’s Academy is situated 30 minutes from Amman on a 144-acre (575-dunum) site and is comprised of 33 buildings and state-of-the-art facilities.

*King’s Academy is accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

“I was nervous about changing schools for senior year, but I couldn’t pass up this opportunity. I know it will make a difference in my college choices for next year.”- Rene’e, Boulder, CO

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