Once romantically known as the Kingdom of the Ammonites and founded, like Rome, on seven hills, Amman is now a sprawling metropolis, attracting multinational companies and thus globe-trotting executives (and their children, who need international schools).
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Education in Amman
Not as popular a location for expats with families as Dubai and Doha, despite being the regional headquarters of several global giants, which means that it has failed (as yet) to attract the same number of major educational players to set up shop.
It is yet to be seen whether either the British or any other global educational brands will decide to open up here in the future. But for now, a large number of expats choose to send their children to boarding schools in the UK, America or their home countries.
Best schools in Amman
The following schools have been brought to our attention, but until we have more reports from parents, we are unable to consider reviewing them.
American Community School Amman
American curriculum/ American High School Diploma/ AP; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 800 students
International school, originally set up for embassy families but now with students from 40 different nationalities. Located in West Amman on a nine acre campus. Accredited by the Middle States Association (MSA).
Amman Baccalaureate School (ABS)
PYP/ MYP/ IB Diploma/ IB Careers Programme; ages 4-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 1,160 students
Elite school, favoured by the royal family with an alumni list glittering with princes and princesses. Established in 1981, by the charitable Hashemite Society for Education. New principal and management in 2019 and now offering all four of the International Baccalareate programmes. Accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS).
Cambridge High School
Adapted curriculum/ MYP/ IB Diploma; ages 4-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 1,100 students
Founded in 2000, mainly for families returning from abroad or bilingual families. Students from over 30 countries are taught in English except for religious studies (Arabic and Christian) which are offered in Arabic and English. Very successful results, with a pretty amazing 33 per cent, of a fairly small cohort of candidates, scoring 40 points or above for the International Baccalaureate Diploma.
Eco Kids Pre-school & Kindergarten
Reggio Emilia; ages 2-6; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned
Established in 2010, the education is based on the philosophies of Rudolf Steiner and Reggio Emilia. Great parental feedback and they are building up the school age groups.
Hill House Kindergarten & Nursery
Bilingual English/ Arabic; ages 1-5; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 100 students
Founded in 2002 for children in year groups FS1 to KG2, housed in an upmarket residential neighbourhood in West Amman. High teacher to pupil ratio.
International Academy Amman (The)
EYFS/ adapted curriculum/ MYP/ IB Diploma; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 1,600 students
Founded in 2004 and offering the two International Baccalaureate programmes since 2007. The school is part of the Queen Rania Foundation for Education and she is chair of the board of trustees. Dually accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
International Community School (The)
Adapted curriculum/ IGCSE/ A Level; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 700 students
Founded in 1953, as a primary school for the British Military in Amman, and now catering for over 50 nationalities. Inspected by Penta for the British Overseas Schools (BSO) and accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS). An accredited member of the Council of British International Schools (COBIS) and a member of British Schools in the Middle East (BSME). One of the oldest international schools in the Middle East and regularly sends graduates to leading global universities.
International School of Choueifat Amman
Adapted curriculum/ SABIS; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 1,500 students
Established in 1997. One of the international Choueifat schools founded in the Lebanon in 1886 and now spread across the Persian Gulf. Strong academics and, slightly surprisingly, SABIS, with its proprietary education programme has an emphasis on the education of women, producing some notable alumnae. Graduates regularly proceed to leading global universities and it is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA).
King's Academy
American curriculum/ American High School Diploma/ AP; ages 12-18; co-ed; day and boarding; privately owned; 600 students
Established in 2007, as a US style day and boarding school, with great facilities (leading to the highest fees in Amman). On a huge state-of-the-art campus with the primary instruction language being English, however all students are required to study Arabic. A newish (2019) American head and accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
Lycée Francais d’Amman
French curriculum/ Brevet/ French Bac; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; state; 600 students
Originally, a small elementary school in the Djebel Amman district and recognised by the Jordanian Ministry of Education in 1990. The lycée is a long-standing Middle Eastern member of the AEFE, the Agency for French Education Abroad, is accredited by the French Ministry of Education and home to students from over 20 different nationalities.
Mashrek International School
PYP/ MYP/ IB Diploma; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 1,365 students
Founded in 1992, as a mainly bilingual school with instruction in English and Arabic and much used by returning nationals or families with dual nationality. Currently with a cohort from around 25 different nationalities. New lower school buildings in 2019 but there have been occasional reports of bullying in the past. Accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS).
Modern American School
Adapted curriculum/ American High School Diploma/ AP; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 950 students
The students are drawn from nearly 40 nationalities made up mainly of dual nationals. Most of the staff are drawn from locally based teachers. Good facilities in a prime location on the airport highway.
New English School
Cambridge 1, 2/ IGCSE/ A Level; ages 4-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 2,200 students
Founded in 1986, teaching a British curriculum to a majority (around 60 per cent) of Jordanian students. Located in the west of Amman, the teaching languages are English and Arabic but they have opened an English only stream as an alternative to the traditional bilingual offering. Queen Rania of Jordan was schooled here.
For more information on the schools above, please go to each school's individual entry on the Good Schools Guide international search.