- OUR SCHOOL
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- EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
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ManageBac is a Learning Management System adopted by the school which facilitates the following:
The site can be accessed by clicking on the ManageBac icon through JKSPortal.
Parents can access the PlusPortals-Parent Tab through JKSPortal to view their child’s grades throughout the quarter. These grades are based on the submission of homework and assignments, completion of classwork, and assessments carried out. These grades are continuously revised and updated during the quarter and are considered final only upon the release of the report card.
Performance is reported on comprehensively at the end of every quarter for all grade levels. You will be notified via email and SMS when the report is available and can be accessed through the PlusPortals-Parent Tab through JKSPortal.
JKS is accredited by the Council for International Schools (CIS), New England Association for Schools and Colleges (NEASC) as well as the International Baccalaureate (IB).
JKS is the first IB continuum school in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia authorized to offer the three IB programmes:
The International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum is a globally recognized leader in the field of international education.
Aligned with JKS’s mission for academic excellence, the IB helps students develop the knowledge, attitudes and skills needed to participate actively and responsibly in a changing and increasingly interrelated world. The IB encourages students to be active learners, well-rounded individuals and engaged world citizens. Its coherent and comprehensive curriculum framework is carefully designed to support the personal, social and emotional well-being of the students as they establish their identity and build their self-esteem.
The IB motivates students and helps them to achieve success both in school and in life beyond the classroom. The IB programmes allow students to build on their strengths and to embrace challenges in subjects in which they might not excel.
The IB’s learner profile describes a broad range of capacities and responsibilities that shape the future active members of the world and which go beyond academic success. They imply a commitment to help all members of the school community learn to respect themselves, others and the world around them. The profile aims to develop learners who are:
Students can choose to graduate with one of the following diplomas:
The Diploma Programme (DP) is a curriculum framework designed by the International Baccalaureate (IB) for students in the last two years of high school. IB students graduating with the IB diploma can study at universities all around the world, often with advanced credit. Full IB Diploma Programme students study six subjects (three at the standard level and three at a higher level or 2 two at the Standard level and 4 at a Higher level) over two years and complete three additional requirements: the theory of knowledge (TOK), the extended essay (EE) and CAS—creativity, activity and service tasks outside of the classroom. In addition to these requirements, students must earn a minimum of 24 points out of a possible 45 points on the final assessments which are externally marked and moderated by the IB, to receive an IB diploma.
The American Diploma Program is one of the three international educational systems conducted in English and recognized nationally and internationally. It allows the implementation of the International Standards of Learning and is considered a rich system originating from the diversification of the educational systems existing in the United States of America. It is recognized and accepted in the most rigorous universities around the world. This system more than adequately prepares students for the academic challenges of university and that of a constantly changing world.
All students are required to sit for SAT (Math and English), an external additional examination in Grade 11.
All students enrolled at JKS will graduate with the American diploma, including those who take full IB. The non-IB courses offered at JKS follow the same curriculum as the IB courses which ensures that all students are receiving the highest quality of education. Students taking the Full IB Diploma can also apply to universities with their American Diploma.
Not all students choose to take the IB Diploma. Instead, students have the option to take courses in areas where they have a particular interest or strength. Certificates are awarded on a course-by-course basis to students who choose not to do the full programme. Students who satisfactorily complete a DP course earn a certificate and may be eligible for some university credit.
Theory of Knowledge (TOK) is an interdisciplinary course designed to help students question and understand how they know what they know. Students study how individuals from various disciplines view the world to develop their ways of thinking. By stimulating analysis of knowledge across disciplines, TOK seeks to help students make sense of school and the world.
Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) is an experiential learning component of the DP. Students complete a wide variety of extracurricular, community service and athletic options to fulfil this requirement.
The extended essay (EE) introduces students to the demands and rewards of independent work. Emphasis is placed on doing personal research and communicating ideas effectively to write a 4,000-word essay in an area of personal interest.
Full Diploma and courses students must take IB examination in May of Grade 12. Examination fees for the IB diploma vary for depending on the number of examinations they take. (IBO sets all testing fees and they do change yearly). The exam fees are determined by the IB organization and paid to them.
IB examination fees are paid at the beginning of Grade 12.
Students are required to choose their courses in Grade 10. Changes in subjects are only allowed during the first week of DP 1 (Grade 11). DP courses are two-year courses hence, changes in subjects after the first week are not possible due to the number of hours required for each course over two years.
Students are required to choose 6 subjects of which 4 subjects are compulsory from below:
The remaining 2 subjects are chosen from the electives below:
A student can take a 7th subject as self-taught (1 year only) either in Grade 11 or Grade 12, should he wish to take an additional science course for university requirement purposes.
Please keep in mind that in Arabic American we offer 2 courses:
Arabic A Am (6 periods)
Arabic B Am (3 periods) with sub-elective (3 periods).
Students can choose one of the following sub-electives Auto-engineering, Software application, Media & Film studies, Culinary Art, Interior design, or Textile and fashion.
The DP is internationally recognized as representing one of the highest standards in university preparatory education. Universities around the world have recognition policies on how they weigh it in admissions, advanced standing, college credit and scholarships. A list of colleges and universities that grant credit, scholarships and/or advanced standing for DP diplomas and certificates is available at www.ibo.org.
A Grade Point Average (GPA) is a system for evaluating a student’s overall academic performance in high school. At JKS, each grade 9 – 12 student’s cumulative grade point average includes all high school grades and is weighted based on the course’s credit. It is updated and included on the official transcript each year, and used for university admissions.
Yes, students will be guided through the application process, and required documents will be prepared and sent upon request including the transcript, predicted grades and teacher recommendations.
Students must check for the application deadline with the university they are applying to.
University admissions officers will only accept a transcript either directly uploaded to an application, sent through BridgeU or the Academic College Counsellor.
Applications to the USA are through CommonApp. JKS students have a BridgeU account through the school which is linked to CommonApp. Applications and the required documents are sent through Common App and BridgeU only.
No, not all universities use CommonApp. The University of California branches have their portal for applications but most universities in the USA use CommonApp. Students need to check each university’s method of application.
Students will need these tests for MISK, the government Scholarship and for University applications.
Yes, the SAT is a JKS graduation requirement.
The GAT is a national test carried out by the National Center for Assessment that targets local secondary school graduates who wish to pursue their studies in institutions of higher education. It measures several aspects that are related to the educational process, such as a student’s analytical and deductive skills. The test is composed of two sections: verbal (language-related) and quantitative (mathematics). It can be conducted 5 times throughout G 11 & 12.
What is SAAT? One of the objectives of the different education stages is that students, after completing each academic stage, acquire knowledge of the basics of each subject they study. The General Secondary School Certificate is the last stage of general education, after which students move to university education, which requires that the academic knowledge of secondary school students qualify them to engage in university education. The Achievement Test is a unified measure for all secondary school graduates; it has been designed to be a fair and accurate standard for all, which helps educational institutions beyond the secondary school stage to choose the highest achieving students in secondary school subjects.
The questions of the different test sections focus on general concepts in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math.
Refer to the website for the latest requirements https://www.kau.edu.sa/
The balanced average is the sum of the grades of High School + GAT + SAAT giving specific weight and percentage for each as illustrated on their website.
Refer to the JKS Educational Pathway available on the JKS portal (Students and Parents Tab, G9 to 12 General Academic Plan) and compare it to the University requirements of your chosen university.
Refer to the Safeer website.
Waed is the Fast-track program at King Abdulaziz University.
English link
https://admission.kau.edu.sa/Files/210/Files/162695_WAED_Program.pdf
Arabic link
A brag sheet provides teachers with information about the student’s interests, achievements and extra-curricular involvement to write a recommendation letter to support their university application.
The Distinctive College Prep program is a 2.5-year journey that builds capabilities and supports ambitious and high-performing school students in securing places at prestigious top-tier universities. Please refer to the following link for further information about the program.
https://hub.misk.org.sa/programs/leadership/distinctive-college-prep-program/
Refer to the College Counselling Handbook available on the JKS portal (Students and Parents Tab, G9 to 12 College Counselling Handbook).
Additional information can be found through the JKS Website, the JKS Portal, and the Parent-Student Handbook (under the School Information Tab). Should you require any further details, please send an email to jksinfo@jks.edu.sa.
