MARSHALL INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS

Academic Culture at Marshall International Schools

Curriculum Architecture

MIS operates two distinct academic divisions: an International Division and a National Division.

The International Division offers two parallel tracks:

1. British Programme (Cambridge): Students in Grades 1–8 follow the Cambridge Primary and Cambridge Lower Secondary (IGCSE preparation) framework. From Grade 9, students proceed to IGCSE examinations, then AS-Level and A-Level at Grades 11–12.
2. American Programme (AHSD): From Grade 9, students may alternatively follow the American High School Diploma pathway, taking SAT, AP, and EST (Emirati Standardized Tests, adapted for Jordanian equivalency) examinations from Grade 10 onward.

The National Division follows the Jordanian Ministry of Education curriculum, with Arabic, English, French, Mathematics, Sciences, IT, Social Studies, and Islamic Studies as core subjects.

Jordanian Credential Equivalency

A distinctive feature of MIS's academic design is its attention to Jordanian Ministry of Education credential recognition. Students on both the Cambridge and American tracks are required to sit standardised external exams (SAT, AP, EST 1 and EST 2) that enable their qualifications to be officially recognised by the Jordanian Ministry of Education. This is critical for students wishing to pursue higher education in Jordan while holding international credentials.

Assessment Approach

Formal assessment at MIS is multi-layered:

• External examinations: Cambridge IGCSE, AS-Level, A-Level, SAT, AP, and EST exams provide internationally benchmarked achievement data.
• School-based assessment: Science fairs, spelling bees, cultural days, debate competitions, and business project challenges complement formal examinations, ensuring a broader assessment of student competencies.
• Continuous assessment: Academic records are maintained and reviewed throughout the year, with regular academic reporting to families.

Facilities Supporting Academic Excellence

The school's commitment to academic rigour is backed by significant facility investment. Dedicated Chemistry, Physics, and Biology laboratories support hands-on experimental science. Multiple computer labs with up-to-date hardware enable technology-integrated learning. A digital library provides research infrastructure across all year groups.

Support for Diverse Learners

The Supportive Division provides individualized academic assistance for students with learning differences, offering speech therapy, reading and writing support, and mathematics intervention. A Source/Resource Room provides extended support time and adaptive learning materials. This infrastructure reflects MIS's stated value of Inclusivity in practice.

Educational Philosophy

Marshall International Schools (MIS) was founded in 2019 in Amman, Jordan, on a clear educational philosophy: that schooling is not merely about the transfer of knowledge but about the holistic development of each student. The school's General Manager articulates this directly: "We believe that education is not just about acquiring knowledge; it is about building character, fostering resilience, and igniting creativity."

This philosophy permeates every aspect of school life. MIS describes its mission as providing "a suitable educational environment that helps students develop their talents, skills and creativity" — a commitment that shapes curriculum choices, facility investment, and staffing decisions alike.

Core Values

The school's five core values are Integrity, Excellence, Innovation, Inclusivity, and Respect. These are not merely aspirational statements; they are reflected in the school's structural choices. The emphasis on Inclusivity is evidenced by the establishment of a dedicated Supportive Division offering speech therapy, literacy, and numeracy support for students with learning differences. Innovation is embedded in the curriculum through weekly robotics clubs, science fairs, and business project challenges for secondary students.

Vision

MIS's vision is forward-looking: "Preparing future leaders by integrating innovation, technology, and global thinking in all stages of education." This global orientation is reflected in the school's dual British/American international curricula, its recent partnership with the Abu-Ghazaleh Confucius Institute to introduce Mandarin Chinese instruction, and its recognition of the value of multilingualism — with English, Arabic, French, and now Chinese all offered as languages of study.

Practical Expression of Philosophy

The philosophy is most visible in:

• Curriculum breadth: Offering both Cambridge (IGCSE/AS/A-Level) and American (AHSD/SAT/AP) tracks allows students to chart a personalised academic pathway aligned with their university and career aspirations.
• Technology integration: Advanced computer labs and a digital library are not treated as optional extras but as core infrastructure for a "future-ready learning environment."
• Supportive culture: The Supportive Division, extended resource rooms, and a school nurse on campus reflect a commitment to holistic wellbeing alongside academic achievement.

In sum, MIS presents itself as a school where rigour and care coexist — where students are prepared not just for examinations but for life.

History and Growth of Marshall International Schools

Founding (2019)

Marshall International Schools was established in Amman, Jordan in 2019 by a group of qualified Jordanian academics who sought to fill a gap in the local educational landscape. Their aim was to create a school that combined the rigour of internationally recognised curricula — British and American — with the cultural grounding of the Jordanian national programme, all within a modern, technology-enabled campus environment.

The founding ethos, as captured on the school's LinkedIn profile, was simply stated: to provide a school committed to "helping their students develop their talents, skills and creativity."

Early Development

In its early years, MIS invested significantly in campus infrastructure. Science laboratories for Chemistry, Physics, and Biology were established to support hands-on learning at IGCSE and A-Level. Computer labs were integrated into the curriculum across grade levels. A digital library was created to support independent research, and a Supportive Division — offering speech therapy and individualized academic support — was set up to ensure no student was left behind.

Cambridge and College Board Accreditation

A significant milestone came with MIS receiving accreditation from Cambridge Assessment International Education, authorising the school to offer IGCSE, AS-Level, and A-Level qualifications. The school also became a registered centre for the College Board, enabling students to sit SAT and Advanced Placement (AP) examinations. These accreditations positioned MIS as a credible pathway to international university admissions.

2025: Chinese Language Partnership

In late 2025, MIS signed a cooperation agreement with the Abu-Ghazaleh Confucius Institute to introduce Mandarin Chinese language instruction, beginning in the second semester of 2025–26. Teaching commenced at Grades 1 and 7, with plans to extend to further year groups over time. This partnership, announced publicly by Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Global, marked MIS's first formal curricular expansion beyond its founding British/American/Jordanian framework and signalled the school's ambition to develop genuinely multilingual graduates capable of engaging with the global economy.

Ongoing Growth

As of 2025, MIS continues to expand its academic offerings and international partnerships, hosting cultural exchange programmes and engaging with the broader Amman educational community. While the school remains a day school with no boarding provision, it has established itself in under six years as a recognised provider of Cambridge-accredited international education in Jordan.

Admissions Culture at Marshall International Schools

Admissions Philosophy

Marshall International Schools takes a relationship-centred approach to admissions. Rather than a purely transactional application process, the school structures its admissions around a series of personalised interactions designed to ensure that families understand the school's programmes and that the school can assess fit for each prospective student.

Four-Stage Process

The published admissions process comprises four sequential stages:

1. Initial Meeting with the Admissions Officer: Families meet with the admissions team to discuss available programmes, fee structures, available discounts, and support services. This stage is designed to give families a comprehensive overview before committing to an application.

2. Guided Campus Tour (~30 minutes): Prospective families receive a full tour of the campus, including classrooms, laboratories, the library, sports facilities, and the medical clinic. This stage enables families to assess the physical environment firsthand.

3. Meetings with Academic Department Heads: Depending on the prospective student's intended programme and grade level, families may meet with relevant department heads to discuss curriculum specifics, academic expectations, and any particular needs the student may have.

4. Submission of Registration Form and Required Documents: The final stage involves completing the formal registration application and submitting all required supporting documents.

Document Requirements

Document requirements vary by entry level:

• Nursery to Grade 1: Student's birth certificate, family book, original vaccination card, and three passport-style photographs.
• Grades 2–12: Complete academic record (full student file from previous school).
• International students (non-Jordanian): Documents must be officially legalised by the student's home country's Ministry of Education and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and authenticated by the Jordanian Embassy in the country of origin.

Timing and Selectivity

The school strongly advises early application, noting that some year groups may reach capacity. No formal published acceptance rate or entrance examination requirement is disclosed. For international students or those entering Cambridge or American track programmes at secondary level, academic readiness assessments are likely to be conducted, but the specifics are not publicly detailed.

Financial Considerations

During the initial admissions meeting, families are briefed on available discounts. Third-party sources indicate discounts are available for academic excellence, Quran memorisation, sports achievement, and siblings. No formal financial aid programme is documented.

Community and International Connections

Student Community

Marshall International Schools serves a mixed student community of Jordanian nationals and expatriate families resident in Amman. The school's dual curriculum offering — Jordanian national alongside British and American international tracks — reflects this mixed demographic. The international division caters to students from Arabic-speaking and non-Arabic-speaking backgrounds alike, with a specialised Arabic language programme for non-native speakers ensuring full participation in school life regardless of Arabic proficiency.

Language as Community

Language diversity is a defining feature of the MIS community. English is the primary language of instruction in the International Division. Arabic is taught both as a first language (for Jordanian students) and as an additional language (for non-native speakers). French is offered as a foreign language in the National Division. From the second semester of 2025–26, Mandarin Chinese has been introduced for students in Grades 1 and 7, with plans to extend to further year groups. This makes MIS one of a small number of Amman schools to offer Chinese language instruction as part of its mainstream curriculum.

Abu-Ghazaleh Confucius Institute Partnership

In January 2026, MIS hosted a visit from Talal Abu-Ghazaleh (Chairman of Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Global) to mark the formalisation of a cooperation agreement with the Abu-Ghazaleh Confucius Institute. The agreement introduced Mandarin teaching at MIS, described as an opportunity to "strengthen cultural exchange" and expand students' global competencies. This partnership signals MIS's intent to position itself within a broader network of internationally-connected schools in the Arab world.

Cultural Events and Community Engagement

MIS actively celebrates cultural diversity through its Cultural Club, which organises events and celebrations across all grade levels. The school has hosted Chinese cultural exchange programmes in partnership with external organisations, and participates in national and international academic events including science fairs and spelling bees. Spirit Days and cultural celebrations are embedded in the school calendar.

Pastoral and Wellbeing Infrastructure

The school's Supportive Division, on-campus medical clinic, and emphasis on an "inclusive environment" where "every learner's rights are guaranteed" reflect a community-minded approach to pastoral care. While a formal house system is not in evidence, the school's small-to-medium size and structured pastoral interactions between families and department heads suggest a close-knit school culture.