The Vision of the Modern American School is to nurture lifelong learners and global thinkers to become responsible citizens with leadership qualities and universal values while instilling pride in one’s cultural identity.
Mission Statement
The Mission of the Modern American School is to provide learners with an engaging and challenging blended learning environment within a diverse community while focusing on international programs, catering for learners’ well-being, fostering international mindedness, and offering various opportunities and experiences that contribute to learners’ growth.
A Word from the Co-Founder / General Director Mrs. Omaya Zamel
Dear MAS Family,
As we embark on another exciting academic year, I am reminded of the remarkable journey we have shared and the milestones we have achieved together. Our commitment to nurturing wellrounded, responsible, and innovative young minds remains as steadfast as ever. The Modern American School has always been more than just a place of learning-it’s a community where dreams are nurtured and potential is realized.
Our educational philosophy is deeply rooted in the belief that learning extends beyond the classroom. Recognizing the rapid pace of change in our world, we are dedicated to equipping our students with the skills and mindset needed to thrive in a dynamic and interconnected global environment. This year, we are thrilled to introduce enhanced leadership, digital literacy, and global citizenship programs, aiming to inspire our students to become proactive, thoughtful, and impactful leaders.
At MAS, we continuously evolve our curriculum to meet the diverse needs of our learners, ensuring that it is both challenging and supportive. Our stateof-the-art facilities and interactive resources provide
a rich and stimulating environment where students can explore their interests, develop their talents, and pursue their passions. Our teachers remain committed to fostering a culture of curiosity, resilience, and lifelong learning, empowering students to reach their full potential.
We also recognize the importance of well-being in education. This year, we have reinforced our initiatives to support mental health and personal development, ensuring that every member of our community feels valued, heard, and supported. Together, we are creating an environment where everyone can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
I want to express my sincere gratitude to our dedicated staff, supportive parents, and, most importantly, our incredible students. Your unwavering support and commitment to excellence make MAS an extraordinary place.
As we look forward to the new academic year, I am optimistic and excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. Let us continue to work together to inspire, innovate, and achieve excellence in all that we do.
Warm Regards,
Co-Founder/ General Director
Omaya Zamel
Dear Parents and Learners,
Mrs. Dareen Hattar Deputy Director / IB MYP Coordinator
At Modern American School, we believe in a holistic approach to education, where learners are encouraged to engage in meaningful inquiry and develop skills that will empower them for a lifetime. Therefore, our comprehensive educational experience is designed to develop knowledgeable, inquirers, and globally-minded individuals. It encourages learners to explore connections between subjects and the world around them, fostering critical thinking, creativity, and a genuine love for learning.
As parents, you play a vital role in your child’s educational journey. We invite you to partner with us, as we work together to create a supportive and collaborative learning environment. Your involvement, support, and active engagement will greatly contribute to your child’s success and well-being.
To our learners, we encourage you to embrace the opportunities that lie ahead. The learning journey will challenge you to think critically, inquire deeply, and develop a genuine understanding of the world. It will inspire you to become well-rounded individuals who are compassionate, open-minded, and equipped to make positive contributions to society.
Wishing you an enriching and empowering learning experience!
Sincerely,
Dear Parents and Learners,
Mrs. Dana Alzame Middle School Principal
At Modern American School, we believe that education goes beyond traditional academics, merging rigorous education with dynamic and enriching experiences. Our school is committed to offering a diverse array of opportunities in creativity, sports, and community service. In this supportive environment, students of all abilities are encouraged to reach their full intellectual, social, moral, physical, creative, and emotional potential.
The Middle Years Program aims to facilitate a respectful and cooperative atmosphere where students can transition smoothly from adolescence to adulthood. Our goal is to nurture internationally-minded learners who are equipped with essential ATL (Approaches to Learning) skills, preparing them for success in the Diploma Program, other pre-university courses, or apprenticeships.
We understand that our students excel when the entire community collaborates to guide them. Therefore, your wholehearted support of our school’s ethos and collaboration is crucial for forging relationships that contribute to your child’s future success.
We encourage our students to push beyond their current limits and explore new possibilities. Together, let’s create an environment where true development and growth can flourish.
Warm regards,
Overview about the IB Programme
The International Baccalaureate is a non-profit educational foundation that was founded in 1986. It focuses on developing programmes that help learners thrive in the classroom and connect their knowledge to the world around them.
As stated in the IB mission statement:
“The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end, the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment. These programmes encourage learners across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.”
Modern American School is an IB MYP candidate school for the academic year 2023-2024, where MYP is offered for grades 6-8.
Overview about Middle Years Programme (MYP)
The IB MYP is an academic programme for learners in grades 6-10. Learners study subjects from different subject groups every year, complete internal assessments, and work on their personal project during the final year of the programme.
The MYP is an inquiry-based program that promotes student-centered learning, enabling students to explore concepts in depth. It also focuses on the acquisition of skills, such as critical thinking, communication, and reflection. Additionally, it cultivates attitudes that foster international-mindedness, empathy, and respect. The IB MYP promotes interdisciplinary learning, integrating subjects and encouraging students to take action within their community. This approach fosters a lifelong passion for learning, preparing students to thrive in higher education and the world beyond.
Within the program, levels are given on a scale from 1 (lowest) to 7 (highest) based on subject-specific assessment criteria and grade boundaries. Furthermore, all MYP subjects are of equal importance and carry the same weight. This is derived from the belief that different subjects help to expose learners to holistic learning, and affect their development physically, mentally, and socially.
The following programme model shows that the learner occupies a central position, surrounded by concepts, global contexts, approaches to teaching, and approaches to learning.
The second ring of the model entails the personal project, community project, and the action, which may involve service within the community.
The third ring shows eight subject groups the MYP offers. The subject groups are connected by the global contexts, which the MYP considers as real-world contexts for understanding the content of the subjects.
IB Learner Profile
The aim of IB is to develop internationally minded people who are responsible for the guardianship of the planet to create a better and more peaceful world. IB learners strive to be:
Inquirers: We nurture our curiosity, developing skills for inquiry and research. We know how to learn independently and with others. We learn with enthusiasm and sustain our love of learning throughout life.
Knowledgeable: We develop and use conceptual understanding, exploring knowledge across a range of disciplines. We engage with issues and ideas that have local and global significance.
Thinkers: We use critical and creative thinking skills to analyse and take responsible action on complex problems. We exercise initiative in making reasoned, ethical decisions.
Communicators: We express ourselves confidently and creatively in more than one language and in many ways. We collaborate effectively, listening carefully to the perspectives of other individuals and groups.
Principled: We act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness and justice, and with respect for the dignity and rights of people everywhere. We take responsibility for our actions and their consequences.
Open-minded: We critically appreciate our own cultures and personal histories, as well as the values and traditions of others. We seek and evaluate a range of points of view, and we are willing to grow from the experience.
Caring: We show empathy, compassion and respect. We have a commitment to service, and we act to make a positive difference in the lives of others and in the world around us.
Risk-takers: We approach uncertainty with forethought and determination; we work independently and cooperatively to explore new ideas and innovative strategies. We are resourceful and resilient in the face of challenges and change.
Balanced: We understand the importance of balancing different aspects of our lives- intellectual, physical and emotional - to achieve well-being for ourselves and others. We recognize our interdependence with other people and with the world in which we live.
Reflective: We thoughtfully consider the world and our own ideas and experience. We work to understand our strengths and weaknesses in order to support our learning and personal development
Subjects Offered at Modern American School
Subjects Offered
Arabic Language
(Language and Literature/ Language Acquisition) *
English Language
(Language and Literature/ Language Acquisition) *
French Language
Mathematics
Sciences (Physics, Chemistry , Biology)
Individuals and Societies
Arts ( Visual Arts and Drama) *
Digital Design (DD)
Physical and Health Education
Religion
Notes:
* The Middle Years Programme requires learners to take either two Language & Literature subjects or one Language and Literature with one Language Acquisition subject.
* Grades 6-8 learners take Visual Arts during one semester and Drama during the other semester.
The IB MYP Global Contexts
The Global Contexts of the MYP provide possible directions through which learners may inquire into or explore authentic world settings, events and circumstances within their different subjects. Learners would learn best when their learning experiences have context and are connected to their lives and to the world that they have experienced.
The table below provides brief descriptions on Global Contexts:
Global Context Description
Identities and Relationships
Orientation in Space and Time
Learners will explore identity; beliefs and values; personal, physical, mental, social and spiritual health; human relationships including families, friends, communities and cultures; what it means to be human.
Learners will explore personal histories; homes and journeys; turning points in humankind; discoveries; migrations of humankind; the relationships between, and the interconnectedness of, individuals and civilizations, from personal, local and global perspectives.
Personal and Cultural Expression
Scientific and Technical Innovation
Learners will explore the ways in which we discover and express ideas, feelings, nature, culture, beliefs and values; the ways in which we reflect on, extend and enjoy our creativity; our appreciation of the aesthetic.
Learners will explore the natural world and its laws; the interaction between people and the natural world; how humans use their understanding of scientific principles; the impact of scientific and technological advances on communities and environments; the impact of environments on human activity; how humans adapt environments to their needs.
Globalization and Sustainability
Fairness and Development
Learners will explore the interconnectedness of human-made systems and communities; the relationship between local and global processes; how local experiences mediate the global; the opportunities and tensions provided by world interconnectedness; the impact of decision-making on humankind and the environment.
Learners will explore rights and responsibilities; the relationship between communities; sharing finite resources with other people and with other living things; access to equal opportunities; peace and conflict resolution.
The IB MYP Approaches to Learning Skills (ATL Skills)
Approaches to Learning Skills are the skills, which help learners “learn how to learn”. The Approaches to Learning skills are taught to ensure that they are practiced and developed gradually throughout the MYP years. These skills enable our learners to succeed in meeting the objectives of the MYP subjects.
• Communication
Learners learn to use their knowledge of language and their reading and writing skills to exchange thoughts, messages, and information effectively through interacting with their peers and community.
• Social
Learners learn to work with others effectively. They learn to negotiate and make fair decisions. They learn to take on a variety of roles and exercise leadership. They learn to practise empathy and advocate for one’s own rights and needs.
• Self-Management
Learners learn to manage their time and tasks to meet deadlines and goals. They learn to plan short- and long-term assignments. They learn how to select and use technology effectively. Besides, learners learn to manage their state of mind through practicing strategies to focus, show persistence and perseverance, and overcome obstacles.
• Thinking
Learners learn to gather and organize relevant information to formulate an argument. They learn to draw reasonable conclusions and generalizations. They learn to identify obstacles and challenges. Besides, learners learn to generate novel ideas and consider new perspectives along with using skills and knowledge in multiple contexts.
• Research
Learners learn to find, interpret, judge and create information. They learn to present information in a variety of formats and platforms. They learn to identify primary and secondary sources, create references and citations, and use footnotes/endnotes and construct a bibliography according to recognized conventions.
Learner Resources and Facilities
Our school prioritizes holistic learner development by offering variety of facilities that enhance both their learning and well-being, including well-equipped classrooms laboratories, a library, a gym, and spaces for relaxation and reflection. These facilities foster engagement, creativity, and healthy habits, empowering learners to thrive both academically and personally.
1. Read and Ride Room
There is a Read and Ride room available for learners’ use, which they visit during English and Arabic classes. The school has adopted this program to encourage reading while exercising. This has impressive benefits for health, learners’ brain development, and increase in productivity.
2. Main Library
The library provides a wide selection of English and Arabic books that are available for borrowing. The library also subscribes to a variety of interesting and contemporary English and Arabic magazines as well as newspapers and databases.
3. Science Labs
Learners visit science labs throughout the different units to apply scientific concepts in practice, which promotes better understanding and hands-on practical skills.
4. Computer Labs
Technology plays an important role in learners’ learning journey.
5. Gymnasium and Green Fields
We have a one fully equipped gymnasium, along with two outdoor playgrounds in which our learners have their PE classes along with other various activities and events.
Action and Service
Action is a key component in MYP. Service, as a subset of action, has always been a shared value of the IB community. IB learners strive to be caring members of the community who demonstrate a personal commitment to service, and act to make a positive difference to the lives of others and to the environment. This will help learners develop the attributes of IB learner profile.
Modern American School offers different opportunities for action and service within the unit planners and out of curriculum as well.
MYP Projects
MYP projects are learner-centred and age-appropriate, and they enable learners to engage in practical explorations through a cycle of inquiry, action and reflection. MYP projects help learners to develop the attributes of the IB learner profile and demonstrate ATL skills developed through the MYP years. The school also provides supervisors for the learners to guide them as they work on their projects.
Community Project
The community project encourages our grade 8 learners to develop awareness of needs in various communities and address those needs through service learning. It can be completed individually or by groups of a maximum of three learners.
Personal Project
The personal project encourages grade 10 learners to produce a personal and often creative product/outcome based on their interest. Each learner develops a personal project independently.
Types of Assessments
Assessment in the MYP are criterion-related as they are based on pre-determined criteria that all learners have access to. The aim of the criteria is for learners to know what they need to do for optimal achievement.
The MYP programme has two different types of assessment: formative and summative.
• Formative Assessment:
Formative assessments take place throughout the unit. The purpose of the formative assessment is to continuously check on learners’ understanding of the concepts, skills, and information presented in the unit.
• Summative Assessment:
Summative assessments take place at the end of each unit. The purpose of the summative assessment is to support learning and to contribute toward determining each learner’s level of achievement.
These two types of assessment can take place through a variety of tasks including presentations, investigations, research, writing essays, and examinations.
In the MYP, learner achievement is represented in the form of levels and not marks. Teachers decide on the level that best matches the learner’s performance based on specific criteria and rubrics. The teachers through what is called “the best-fit approach” determine the final level of learners.
Report Cards
Learners receive two report cards per semester: mid-semester and end-of-semester report cards. The report card is designed so that each subject report contains the learner’s level in each criterion covered, along with approaches to learning skills and teachers’ comments.
If you have questions after reading this handbook, please contact the IB Middle Years Programme Coordinator, Mrs. Dareen Hattar, at dareen.hattar@mas.edu.jo
International Baccalaureate Organization, MYP: From principles into practice. United Kingdom, 2014
