Cities / Amman / International Community School Amman
International Community School Amman
The British curriculum counterpart to ACS, founded in 1953 and located in Naour, 15 minutes south of central Amman. About 700 students from more than 60 nationalities, with diplomatic and NGO families dominant.
In brief
The British-curriculum counterpart to ACS, founded in 1953 and located in Naour, 15 minutes south of central Amman. About 700 students from more than 60 nationalities, with diplomatic and NGO families dominant.
English National Curriculum through to IGCSEs and A Levels, COBIS and CIS accredited and a member of BSME. Around 75 percent of students are expatriates, the highest expat ratio of any school in this batch, which makes it the natural choice for British, European and other non-American diplomatic families.
Parents talk about a calmer, more international feel than ACS, with less drama and a wider mix of nationalities. Reviews are not unanimously positive. Some families think the inclusion offer is thinner than the marketing suggests and that the value for money is not always there. Fees are at the top of the Amman market. Strong fit if you want a British track and a green campus on the city edge, less so if you need a denser urban location.
Fees
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| EY1 | 3 | JOD 7,560 |
| EY2 | 4 | JOD 7,560 |
| Y1-2 | 5 | JOD 11,488 |
| Y3-6 | 7 | JOD 13,144 |
| Y7-9 | 11 | JOD 15,932 |
| Y10-11 (IGCSE) | 14 | JOD 18,000 |
| Y12-13 (A-Level / BTEC) | 16 | JOD 19,216 |
One-time fees
| Item | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment Fee (new students Y1-Y13) | JOD 3,066 |
Reviews
The oldest international school in Jordan, with HRH Prince El Hassan and HRH Princess Sarvath El Hassan as patrons. Over 700 students, 60-plus nationalities, and a long-standing pull for embassy, NGO, and international families outside the US orbit. British curriculum end to end, IGCSE then A Level, with most leavers heading to the UK, North America, or Europe. A purpose-built campus in Um Al Basatin since 2009, currently mid-build on a new pool, sports hall, theatre, and early-childhood centre.
Positives
- International mix. Roughly a quarter of pupils are Jordanian; the rest span 60-plus nationalities. Nearly every non-US embassy in Amman routes its children here, which keeps the cohort genuinely international rather than mostly local.
- Tradition and stability. Founded 1953 to serve British military families, non-profit, owned by the Society for the International Community in Jordan, and patronised by the royal family. The institution feels rooted in a way newer Amman schools do not.
- British academics. English National Curriculum delivered by UK-qualified staff, IGCSE and A Level at the top end, SAT support for North American applications. Parents talk about supportive teachers and warm classroom relationships.
Considerations
- Inclusion and SEN. ICS markets a strong inclusion programme and was the first international school to win the Inclusion Quality Mark. Day-to-day experience is less uniform: at least one family flags that support for learning differences in practice lags the language used in the brochures.
- Location and commute. The Um Al Basatin campus sits on the Na'our edge of the city. Families closer in describe it as a real drive; school buses run, but the address is not central Amman.
- Campus build-out. A multi-year construction programme is adding a swimming pool, sports hall, theatre, and early-childhood centre. The upgrade is welcome; current families live with the works in the meantime.
Leadership
Alun Yorath
A very warm welcome to the International Community School (ICS) in Amman, Jordan. I am delighted and honoured to lead this outstanding school. ICS is much more than just a school; it is a vibrant caring community here in the wonderful city of Amman. Inclusivity is enshrined in all that we do, and we are proud to be able to meet the needs of such a wide spectrum of abilities from the very most able Oxbridge or Ivy League aspirants to students with mild to moderate learning or physical needs, and everyone in between. Should this not be possible, please feel free to contact us directly at [email protected], and we will be happy to answer any questions or share more fully what encapsulates the ICS experience.
Accreditations
- COBIS Patron's Accreditation and Compliance 01
- British Schools Overseas (DfE) 02
- Council of International Schools 03
- British Schools in the Middle East accreditation 04
Academic results
- IGCSE results 2020 Outstanding results with many students achieving top grades.
- A Level results 2020 Majority of students secured first choice university placements.