Jordan, Amman
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The Amman Baccalaureate School (ABS) is a bilingual, co-educational day school located in western Amman. Established in 1981, it holds the distinction of being the first school in the region authorized to offer the full International Baccalaureate (IB) Continuum, including the Primary Years, Middle Years, Diploma, and Career-related Programmes. The curriculum emphasizes bilingual proficiency in Arabic and English, ensuring students maintain strong ties to local culture while pursuing international qualifications.
Al-Hijaz St., Amman, Jordan
Amman Baccalaureate School has 1,179 pupils, typical class sizes of 6, instruction in Arabic, English.
The Amman Baccalaureate School is located on Al Hijaz Street in the Dabouq area of Amman, Jordan. The mailing address is PO Box 441, Sweileh 11910. The campus is in western Amman and is served by ABS's own transportation network for students and staff.
ABS is organized into three divisions: Primary School (KG–Grade 6) offering the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP); Middle School (Grades 7–10) following the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP); and the IB College (Grades 11–12) which offers the IB Diploma Programme. The IB College is housed in a dedicated facility designed for Grades 11–12, with the middle and primary sections located on campus.
ABS is a co-educational, private day school. It has no boarding facilities.
ABS provides tailored support for learners with additional educational needs (AEN) through an AEN department and an Access and Inclusion Policy. The school uses a Waves of Intervention model (Wave 1: inclusive quality teaching; Wave 2: targeted support; Wave 3: specialized support) with personalised plans (IEPs) and collaboration with families; in-class support and external referrals are used as needed.
ABS identifies as a Jordanian, non-profit institution.
There is no formal religious affiliation. ABS is non-denominational. Public descriptions indicate no specific church or faith ownership of the school.
ABS operates a full-day schedule aligned to IB requirements. The school day typically begins around 8:00 am and runs Sunday through Thursday, with periods varying by division (7 periods for primary. 7–8 periods for middle and IB college). After-school supervision and activities are available.
ABS owns 21 modern buses providing transportation for students and staff. Bus service is available depending on area and bus capacity, with options for full-year or semester usage and prioritized seating for pre-paid round trips. Buses are equipped with seat belts, fire extinguishers, first aid kits, onboard cameras, and tracking. A Head Driver oversees operations, with ABS maintaining a dedicated garage and two mechanics for daily maintenance.
Annual tuition at Amman Baccalaureate School ranges from JOD 7,252 to JOD 16,913 for 2026/27.
Amman Baccalaureate School teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), IBCP (International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme) for students aged 4 to 18.
Amman Baccalaureate School (ABS) is an IB World School in Amman offering a bilingual Arabic–English education. The Primary Years Programme (IBPYP) is offered for Kindergarten through Grade 6, implemented within an inquiry-based framework centered on the IB learner profile. In Grades 7–10, ABS follows the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), with bilingual instruction and a mix of compulsory and option subjects such as Arabic Language and Literature, English, Mathematics, Arabic/French/Spanish, Sciences, Design and ICT, Arts, Religious Studies, and Physical Education. The Senior School (Grades 11–12) provides the IB Diploma Programme (full DP) or Diploma Courses, and the Career-related Programme (CRP). Full DP requirements include CAS, Theory of Knowledge, and the Extended Essay, and students can pursue Jordanian Tawjihi equivalence by meeting MOE requirements published in the IB College handbook.
ABS provides a dedicated Counselling and Wellbeing Department offering Psychological Counselling, Career Counselling, and University Counselling. Specialist staff serve each school stage: Primary KG1-5 is supported by Sajidah Shamaileh; Middle Years by Hala Hamad; and the IB College by Rasha Jazi; there are three full-time University Counsellors: Suha Talhouni (Director of University Counselling), Hanan Qubrosi, and Eric Wight. The department follows a Comprehensive Guidance and Counselling model to support students' academic, personal, and social development, including individual and group appointments and partnerships with families and community institutions. Confidentiality is respected, and in serious safeguarding matters the Safeguarding Officer or Deputy Safeguarding Officer is informed confidentially, in line with ABS's Child Rights framework (ABS Deceleration of Child Rights). The wellbeing program is implemented through Mentor Groups and a House system, overseen by the Deputy Head (Wellbeing) and the Wellbeing Team, with encouragement for students to participate in cultural, sporting, and service activities.
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision or whether it operates as a specialist SEN institution. Publicly available information describes counselling and wellbeing and a bilingual IB-aligned program, but does not specify any SEN support services or dedicated SEN staff.
English as an Additional Language support is delivered through a bilingual education approach. ABS provides bilingual education in Arabic and English, and most Grades 7-10 students study bilingually in the IB Middle Years Programme. In Primary School, a bilingual programme includes Arabic Language and English Language with Arabic as the language of instruction, and additional languages such as Spanish or French are offered in Grades 4-6. There is no separate EAL department named. Language support is integrated via the bilingual IB framework rather than a standalone EAL programme.
Mental wellbeing is supported through the Counselling and Wellbeing Department, which provides Psychological, Career, and University Counselling. Specialists operate by school phase: Sajidah Shamaileh (Primary), Hala Hamad (Middle Years), and Rasha Jazi (IB College), with three full-time University Counsellors: Suha Talhouni, Hanan Qubrosi, and Eric Wight. The department follows a Comprehensive Guidance and Counselling model and offers confidential services, including individual and group sessions and coordination with families and community partners.
Safeguarding is overseen by a Safeguarding Officer and Deputy Safeguarding Officer, with confidential referrals for serious safeguarding matters. Confidentiality is observed as part of ABS's safeguarding framework, described as in line with ABS Deceleration of Child Rights. Procedures for safeguarding referrals and reporting are integrated with counselling and the wider school support system.
Step 1: Initiate the application through ABS's online admissions portal. An Administration Fee of 100 JOD is payable at the time of application and is non-refundable. For Primary applications, payments can also be made at the HRH Princess Sarvath El Hassan Welcome Center during Sunday–Thursday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM. The Admissions team is available to answer questions as you begin the process.
Step 2: Complete the required assessments and interviews. Admission tests and interviews assess mathematics skills and proficiency in the languages of instruction (English and Arabic), with a note that International Students starting Grade 6 may have a language accommodation. The school emphasizes a bilingual program and ensures applicants can participate fully in the ABS curriculum. Language proficiency in both English and Arabic is important for the process.
Step 3: Expect potential references and verification. ABS reserves the right to contact an applicant's previous schools for confidential references. Assessment results and interview outcomes are the governing factors for admission from KG1 onward. You may be asked to provide prior records to support the application.
Step 4: If demand exceeds places, your child will be placed on a waiting list. Applicants are listed in order of date of application, with priority governed by the Admissions Department's policies. The policy aims to manage placement fairly when spaces are limited.
Step 5: If a place is offered, proceed with entry enrollment. The Enrollment Fee is 1,500 JOD and is payable upon confirmation of entry (non-refundable). The school also notes that the Enrollment Fee is distinct from other fees and secures entry into ABS.
Step 6: For existing ABS families, a seat reservation may be required to secure a seat for the next academic year. The Seat Reservation Fee is 1,000 JOD, due by January 31, 2026, and is deductible from the tuition fee. If the fee is not paid, ABS reserves the right not to guarantee a seat for the next year.
Step 7: Arrange tuition payment according to the stated schedule. Total tuition fees are due by March 31, 2025, with options to pay the full annual amount or via three post-dated cheques dated 31 March 2025, 30 September 2025, and 31 January 2026 (or as otherwise accepted). ABS reserves the right to offer seats to waiting list candidates if payments are not received by the due date.
Step 8: Be aware of Additional Learning Needs and related fees. If a student requires a fully modified curriculum for Additional Educational Needs, an extra charge of 30% will be added to tuition. Separate Assessment Fees apply (KG1–KG2: 175 JOD; Grades 1–9: 325 JOD; SSS assessments: 75 JOD). These costs cover the necessary supports and specialized services.
Step 9: Understand withdrawal terms. If you withdraw after January 31, 2026, the Seat Reservation Fee becomes non-refundable. If withdrawal occurs during the academic year after fees have been paid, one month's fee (calculated as 1/9 of the tuition) is due for each month or partial month of notice not given. This ensures a clear, orderly transition.
ABS offers academic merit scholarships and financial assistance distinct from general tuition. The Academic Scholarship Programme recognises outstanding results for Grades 7–10 and provides a 20% tuition discount for eligible Year‑to‑Year students; awards are made by the Academic Scholarship Committee at the end of each academic year and are not automatically renewable except that Grade 11 scholarships can roll over to Grade 12 if disciplinary standards are exemplary. Eligibility includes maintaining a minimum overall average (6.7 or higher), strong behavior, and active participation in enrichment programs; there is no formal application process, as the committee selects recipients. Renewal requires maintaining the same academic standard and exemplary conduct, with possible discretionary adjustments in exceptional cases. The scholarship is applied retrospectively at the start of the new academic year. BEF scholarships and the Financial Assistance Programme provide additional support: BEF-funded bursaries and the Financial Assistance Programme are available to attract and retain high‑quality entrants and to support existing families who have been enrolled for at least one year.
ABS uses a waiting list rather than a pool system. When application numbers exceed the number of places available at a grade level, applicants are placed on a waiting list in order of the date of application. Priority is determined by the Admissions Department's policies, which guide how seats are allocated as spaces become available. This means earliest applicants have a higher likelihood of entry as vacancies arise.