The American School in Jeddah had a humble beginning with just 40 students in 1952. — Courtesy photo Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — The American International School of Jeddah (AISJ) is celebrating the 60th anniversary of its founding. The school has been serving expatriates in Jeddah since 1952 and has steadfastly pursued its goals of excellence in education. The AISJ, popular as the American School, has produced graduates in a variety of specialties and occupations who have served not only locally but also throughout the world to enhance the global community. The school takes pride in being the oldest established accredited international school in Jeddah. The school offers an American curriculum from PK3 to 12th grade. Students currently comprise 45 different nationalities. Its current configuration is a culmination of three schools: The Parent Cooperative School (PCS) 1952-1979, (with an annex in Taif from 1973-1977), Saudi Arabian International School (SAIS) 1979-2004, and the American International School of Jeddah (AISJ) 2004-present. The school played a unique role in the development and expansion of the American community in Jeddah. In 1945, King Abdul Aziz, the founder of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, received the gift of a DC-3 aircraft from US President Franklin D. Roosevelt. This event later led to the Kingdom's development of civil aviation and the birth of Saudi Arabian Airlines in September 1946. TransWorld Airlines (TWA) was contracted to manage the fledgling airline. In 1952, the population of Jeddah was about 200,000, which was growing rapidly. Jobs attracted people to the city, many whom were specialized overseas workers who brought their families with them. The need for a formal American curriculum school rose after children of TWA employees and other expatriate children arrived in the Kingdom. Although the official name came later, the Parents Cooperative School (PCS) was founded in 1952. Initially, students met in homes. Classes were organized using materials from the Calvert System, which was based on a home school curriculum. Parents volunteered to do the teaching. During this time, the expatriate community was expanding in Jeddah and the school was growing rapidly. A new facility was built in 1968. This occurred again in 1975, when the oil boom ignited another rapid development in the Kingdom and a further enrollment growth at PCS campus. North Campus (NCS) was built in 1976 to accommodate the anticipated growth in enrollment. In the fall of 1980, enrollment peaked at 1,700 students. The school had become one of the largest international schools in the Middle East. In 1985, the school took a new name, Saudia-Saudi Arabian International School and in school year 2000-2001, it had its first 12th grade graduation. It was the first international school in Jeddah that had a diploma program. In the fall of 2003, Saudia officially announced that it would not continue its sponsorship of the school. Saudia was going through privatization and needed to focus on airline business. On Aug. 28, 2004, the school opened its doors after assuming the current name, the American International School of Jeddah. In August 2007, Dr. Mark English assumed leadership of AISJ as the new superintendent and with him a new administrative team. They brought a new era and attitude to the school. The way to the future was the introduction of new technology and engaging students in critical thinking. Jeddah is going through another expansion phase and the school is already at maximum capacity. The AISJ is now planning to open a new facility within the next five years to accommodate the anticipated growth. The AISJ, which started with just 40 students, has come a long way. The school now has over 1,100 students and a teaching staff of 200 professionals. The philosophy of the school has always been to provide students with a strong academic background and to help build strong, confident individuals who will be well prepared to pursue their education and to achieve their life time goals. It is AISJ's belief they are right on track with 99 percent of its students graduating and going on to pursue their education in distinguished colleges and universities around the world. To mark this milestone achievement, the school is planning a year-long series of programs and activities, beginning with the inauguration of their new building for the middle school and high school and the official launch of the AISJ Alumni Association next month. The alumni plan to launch a series of initiatives to recognize the school's enduring legacy. This includes the AISJ Stories Project, which offers students, staff and alumni the opportunity to record, share and preserve personal stories relating to their experiences with the school. Each clip should relate a personal story about themselves, their work and how AISJ has had an impact in their lives. Sometime at the end of February next year there will be an AISJ Birthday Celebration with students, parents and staff. The school's alumni, former faculty members and employees interested in joining the diamond celebrations may contact [email protected] for further information and the calendar of events.
