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"The school that has never become, but is always becoming."
The
Abdul Hamid Sharaf School is a unique, non-traditional
institution. It has many characteristics that
make it different from most schools. Prospective
students and parents will find the following distinguishing
qualities evident:
1. |
Encouragement of the development of self-discipline. |
2. |
Warm, human relationships.
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3. |
Learning by doing and understanding. |
4. |
Reasonable amounts of homework. |
5. |
Individualistic teaching approach. |
6. |
Development of self-confidence. |
7. |
Respectful treatment of students. |
8. |
Realistic cross-section of society -
all social classes and intellectual abilities. |
9. |
Emphasis on universal values such as
honesty and respect. |
10. |
Child-centered approach in a family-style
atmosphere. |
However,
if parents of prospective students are looking
for:
1.
Strict regimentation and punitive discipline,
2. Memorization as the main method of teaching-learning,
3. Hours and hours of daily homework,
4. Making all students "fit the same
mold",
5. Extreme emphasis on marks and unhealthy
competition,
6. Intimidation of students and corporal
punishment,
7. A narrow representation of society -
only the rich, only the intelligent,
Then,
AHSS IS NOT THE SCHOOL FOR YOU.
____Quoting
from co-founder Dr. Sue Dahdah's doctoral dissertation,
"In the Abdul Hamid Sharaf School, the needs,
feelings, and characteristics of children shall
be considered in the planning of learning experiences.
Discipline will be an important part of the school
and will be developed, but regimentation will
not be allowed because it is incompatible with
the nature of children. Children must be helped
to develop self-discipline and to accept responsibility
for their own actions. Children shall be encouraged
to clarify and develop their own sets of values:
honesty, respect for other people and their property,
and good citizenship will be stressed." (p.
60, Guidelines for a Model American School for
Jordanians). Then on page 61, "Children
should feel proud of their school as they do of
their homes. School must be a warm, friendly,
accepting place where nobody is afraid or threatened;
where everybody feels welcome and wanted and is
allowed to reach his or her fullest potential
both in personality and intellectual development."
While the school has changed and evolved in the
25 years since its founding, its basic child-centered
philosophy has not.
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