About MMS

Mission Statement

The Modern Montessori School aims to provide a rich and stimulating environment where children can develop to their full potential. Understanding and appreciating the differences that make every student unique, each child is valued as an independent thinker and encouraged to make choices on his or her own.

Our system of personalised education encourages every student to develop his or her own talent, to respect the differences in others and to be a responsible member of a community, thus achieving the finest possible holistic education. This aims to instill a pride in accomplishments, providing the students with the confidence needed to use their abilities to the fullest and enabling them to define and achieve success in college, career and, above all, in life.
 

Philosophy

As a parent, you know that choosing a school for your child is one of the most significant decisions you may face. We all hope to provide our children with an educational basis from which they can reach out for their goals and fulfill their potential. However, this first involves a choice concerning the type of education which will most benefit your child and, subsequently, a choice of the most suitable school.

The Modern Montessori School is accredited by the International Centre for Montessori Education (ICME). It was established in 1985 and is built on an 24,000 m2 piece of land. It is designed to meet international standards in school requirements. The Modern Montessori School is dedicated to distinction in advancing the development and education of children from age three through to high school. It offers a low pupil/teacher ratio, a highly qualified professional faculty and a balanced curriculum, which emphasises academic preparation in the main subjects, such as mathematics, languages, sciences and social sciences. In addition, art, music, physical education and computer literacy play an integrated role in the curriculum. The school provides a nurturing environment for the personal and intellectual development of each child. It encourages a high level of co-operative planning, teaching and evaluation, designed to produce success in advancing the learning process of the students. Standardised achievement and ability index tests are utilised to prescribe the best programme for each child’s needs.

Curriculum

KG follows the Montessori method of education.  In the Junior and Lower Senior School, an interactive, integrated curriculum, incorporating Ministry of Education requirements, has been developed by the school and is taught bilingually (Arabic and English). The Upper Senior School offers a specially formulated Bridge Years curriculum in Grades 9 and 10, preparing students for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme in Grades 11 and 12.
 

A letter from the Principal

The Modern Montessori School in the year 2008 - 2009

Dear Parents, I am delighted to welcome you back to the beginning of yet another academic year and trust that you have all enjoyed the summer vacation.

Since the holy month of Ramadan will soon be upon us, and in order to minimise disruption in the school timetable, we have decided to implement the Ramadan schedule with effect from the first day of normal schooling, i.e. Sunday, 17th August, 2008. Accordingly, Junior School students will finish at 1:00 p.m. daily and Senior School students will finish at 2:10 p.m., except for Tuesdays, when the whole school finishes at 1:30 p.m..

You will have noted that our school has started a little earlier than most other schools. In compensation for this, the Ministry has agreed that we extend the Eid Al Fitr holiday and the school will be closed for one whole week on that occasion. I trust you will find this convenient.

We have been fortunate in acquiring the services of a number of excellent new members of staff and I know you will join me in welcoming them to the school. The Senior School faculty welcomes Rana Nusair (Art), Mohammed Qardan ((Art), Reem Abudalou (Science), Enas Bkairat (Science and Assistant University Advisor), Rola Haddad (Physics), Frank Salim (English and History), Jouliana Jraisat (P.E.), Hatem Khatib (Computer), Rawand Al-Atabah (Computer), Ruby Elian (Mathematics), Mona Safi (Drama), Salam Essa (Arabic) and Maisoun Al-Sammak (Mathematics) is also rejoining the staff. In the Junior School we are joined by Natalya Abdel-Hayy (Assistant Art Teacher), Sara AbuLaban (Arabic), Shirin Alakhras (English), Faten Ideili (P.E.), Maha Al-Khateeb (Class Teacher), Samar Alzeer (Class Teacher), Shireen Hijazeen (Class Teacher) and Afia Omari (Class Teacher). Lina Alkhmash, Rasha Anabtawi and Dana Alsalah will be joining the Kindergarten, which also welcomes back Hanan Batniji. Our ever-expanding Learning Support Department has been joined by Arwa As’ad, Abeer Qassem, Nour Al-Dmour and Shada Badawi. All these newcomers will, I am sure, make a significant contribution to the life of the school.

As is my custom, I would like to start the year with an overview of some of the most important events which took place during the past academic year. First of all, I would like to announce the winners of our newly-introduced scholarships for academic excellence. One full scholarship per grade has been awarded to the student(s) who obtained the highest marks throughout the previous academic year. In last year’s Grade 4 the scholarship was awarded to Iyad El-Khuffash, in Grade 5 to Leen Abdullah whilst in Grade 6 two students will each receive a half-scholarship: Amani Emtairah and Amer Sawalha. The scholarship for G7 goes to Dareen Al Kutob, for G8 to Kareem Haddadin, for G9 to Tala Kublawi and for G10 to Sohab Radwan. The two students in Grade 11 whose academic performance was most outstanding are both already bearers of scholarships. I would like to extend my most sincere congratulations to these students and their parents.

Continuing on the theme of scholarships, the AHA programme extended its award scheme to reward the runners-up in each level with a 40% two-year scholarship. At the Bronze Level Tara Saleh received a full two-year scholarship and Shahd Hasweh received a 40% two-year scholarship, whilst at the Silver Level Mahmoud Safadi was awarded the full two-year scholarship and Baraka AlRahmani received the 40% two-year scholarship. My congratulations also go to them and to their parents.

Also within the framework of the AHA programme, those students who excelled at scuba-diving were rewarded with a further course at the expense of the AHA. Moutaz Al-huneidi, Sarah Soudani, Ramzi Shweihat and Faris Shweihat all improved their diving skills at our expense.

Our students again achieved outstanding results in the external IB examinations; as was the case last year, the school’s average grades were well above the international average in most subjects. I am, personally, very proud of their accomplishment and extend my sincere gratitude to our excellent teaching staff who made this resounding success possible.

For the third year running, one of our students, Kazem Qutob (Grade 11), was qualified to represent Jordan and to present his innovative scientific research project (A unique solar system for the distillation of sea water) at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. He took the Second Place Scholarship Award from the US Armed Forces Communications and Electronics, competing against 1500 science and technology high school students representing 55 countries and 46 states in the USA. We are, justifiably, very proud of his achievement.

In a local science fair, organised by the Ministry of Education in February 2008, four of our Grade 11 students (Kazem Qutob, Maria Gharaibeh, Leen Abdul Jalil and Faisal Naji) all took first places in their different categories, competing with more than 400 students from various governmental and private schools in Jordan. Drawing on past experience, the school hosted a workshop for 110 teachers from private schools in Jordan called “How to Win in a Science Fair”. The workshop was prepared and presented by our Head of Chemistry.

Our G11 Biology students benefited greatly from a visit to an ecology research centre in Barcelona, Spain, in May of last year, reinforcing their theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience.

Students participating in the Promising Hands charitable activities, in cooperation with the Save the Children fund, were faced with a lot of hard work, helping to renovate and re-paint a government school in Marka and helping its students academically. We are very proud of the contribution made by our students to improving the life of children less fortunate than themselves. There can be no doubt that such activities are character-building and leave a lasting impression on all involved, and we have already applied for funding to enable us to continue the good work this year.

A more light-hearted approach to learning was introduced by the English and Arabic Departments through SPARK (Speak, Peek And Read for Knowledge), which is a general knowledge quiz which was thoroughly enjoyed by all. A public speaking competition also took place within the school and many students demonstrated an abundance of talent in this field. Both of these activities are scheduled to become annual events.

The PTA has been very active during the past year and we are very appreciative of the enthusiastic role played by both parents and teachers. This type of constructive cooperation provides the backbone for the family atmosphere within the school which we all so much treasure.

As most of you already know, the skeleton of our long-awaited new building is finally approaching completion and, by the beginning of the second semester, we hope to be able to offer our students state-of-the-art facilities to complement the first class standard of education they already enjoy. The new building, comprising four floors, will house a large gym, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a theatre and a dance studio, as well as all necessary facilities for the Art Department, Music and Drama and the AHA. Immediately upon completion of this building, plans are already in hand to commence construction of the new Senior School complex.

The school has installed a new e-school server which will enable faster access to the system. Many new additional features have been incorporated into the system with the aim of facilitating communication between the school, parents and students. Additionally, for your information, we have recently signed a comprehensive agreement with Microsoft which enables us to offer our students all Microsoft software at heavily discounted prices. Our Computer Manager can give you details.

In conclusion, I would like to assure you of our continued dedication to providing the ultimate in holistic education to our extended family of students and wish you all a very happy and successful year.

Yours sincerely,

Randa Hasan
Principal

Discipline

SCHOOL RULES:

• The School expects all students and their parents to be familiar with the school rules and to understand that breaches of them will result in disciplinary action.
• School Disciplinary Procedures exist for the benefit of all and a written record of offences is kept on the Student File and may be used in compilation of recommendations requested from the school (Appendix 1).
• Certain areas of the school are permitted to students only if accompanied by a member of the school staff. These areas include:
  
  
  • All staff rooms.
  • All offices.
  • All science and computer laboratories, libraries, graphic art rooms, performing art rooms, CDT rooms, PE areas and workshops.
  • The reprographic room.
  
  
• Students may use the school telephones in emergencies only, obtaining permission from their Head of School.
• Publicising any event, selling tickets (even for charitable purposes) or collecting money for any cause whatsoever must have the prior approval of the Principal.
• The school does not accept any responsibility for lost property and strongly advises parents not to allow children to bring large sums of money or valuables to school.

CONDUCT:

School rules and expectations do not stop at the school gates. They also apply on all school buses and on all school trips. In addition, the school expects its students to remember that when not in school their behaviour in the community is taken as a reflection of the school (Appendix 2).


ATTENDANCE AND ABSENCES:

Regular attendance at school, at lessons and at school activities forms a basic and unequivocal part of the school's requirements:

• Students are required to be punctual in arriving at school for their lessons. Lateness requires explanation. Persistent lateness may be punished.
• Students must stay at school until the end of lessons (end of the school day) unless they have the written permission of their Head of School or their Medical Doctor or a special written request from their parent(s).
• Students must attend all lessons and classes unless they have permission from their teacher.
• Any absence of one or more days must be explained by the parent either telephoning the appropriate school official or by sending a written note to the student's Teacher or Group Tutor.
• Any absence of three or more days must be explained in writing and, if for medical reasons, must be supported by a doctor's certificate.
• A student may be refused admission to lessons if an absence has not been satisfactorily explained.
• The school only accepts responsibility for students from 7.30 am until 15 minutes after the end of the last lesson unless they are participating in an official school activity or unless they are participating in a registered activity for which school supervision is provided.

ILLNESS AND ACCIDENTS OCCURRING DURING THE SCHOOL DAY:

• If a student is unwell, he should ask his teacher for permission to report to the School Doctor who will take the appropriate action and contact a parent if necessary.
• In the event of a student being injured during the school day the School will make every effort to contact the parent or designated guardian. Should the School Doctor believe treatment is required and parent or guardian cannot be reached the student will be taken to a specialist, clinic or hospital as appropriate.
• Students taking medication prescribed by the family doctor while in school should do so in the School Doctor's surgery. The School Doctor is the school's medical officer and is required to be aware and treat all medical cases. The school cannot accept any responsibility for complications arising out of failure to comply with this requirement.
• In the event of serious illness or an accident occurring during a school trip, the senior member of the school staff present will arrange for medical treatment at the nearest available medical facility and the parents will be notified as soon as possible.

SAFETY:

Safety of students, staff and visitors is a paramount concern of the school. It is the responsibility and duty of all students and staff to observe the following rules:

• To act with proper regard for the safety of themselves, others and the environment.
• To report safety breaches and concerns to the appropriate member of the school staff or when in doubt to alert the Principal, Academic Director or Head of School.

ACADEMIC:

• Cheating on a school test or examination will automatically earn a mark of 'zero'. External examining bodies will be informed if cheating occurs during an external examination.
• Copying of homework or submitting someone else's work as student's own (plagiarism) will be dealt with very severely. In the event plagiarism be discovered as part of an external examination, the examining authority will be notified.
• All students are required to meet deadlines set by the teachers for the submission of homework, projects and any course work which forms part of the assessment for an internal or external examination.
• Non-submission of homework on time will be punished by a detention. The student will be expected to work in a supervised detention room during the break time to complete his homework and parents will be advised in the event the student fails to show up. After three break detentions the student will have to remain for an hour after school each day for five days followed by a Saturday detention for 2 hours if this behaviour persists. In the event the student does not show up for a Saturday detention he will be automatically suspended for two days.

UNIFORM:

• The school requires that all students are properly dressed in the official school uniform unless they are formally exempted from wearing it. Shirts must be kept buttoned at all times and properly tucked in. Only white undershirts are permit-ted. Shoes must be black or brown and socks must be white or black. Hair accessories must be simple in black, green or white colours only. No jewellery is permitted to be worn. Hair dying, nail polish and make-up is prohibited.
• Students who come to school out of uniform will not be admitted to lessons and their parents will be contacted and asked to bring the missing item(s) or the children will be sent home.
• On PE days students are required to wear the appropriate PE kit prescribed by the PE department (wearing of school team uniforms is not permitted).

For more information, please check the Student Manual.