Financial Aid for Preschool
As a State Department-supported school, JAIS recognizes the value of helping families thrive while posted in Jerusalem. JAIS will offer financial aid to members of the U.S. Consulate General Jerusalem who enroll in the preschool program. Parents will need to fill in a basic financial aid application and submit a copy of their most recent W-2 form. Additionally, for families whose children will continue with JAIS as kindergarten students, payment of preschool registration fees will be deferred until the kindergarten year. Each family’s financial aid package will be tailored to their particular financial profile, and applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Special Needs Admissions
If you child has any additional needs please be in touch with the admissions office at: admissions@jerusalemais.org. JAIS has an inclusive outlook and we will discuss if we are able to meet your child’s needs within our existing programs, or with some collaboration and adaptations. To help with this process please make sure to send us all the relevant paperwork.
Middle School Program
All classrooms in grades 6, 7, and 8 have been renovated and are located in close proximity to each other, creating a warm and collaborative atmosphere for this age group. Students begin and end the day in homeroom, providing consistent support in the critical areas of study skills, organization, digital citizenship, relationship building, and growth mindset. Core academic classes are taught for each grade level. Students have an eclectic range of electives to choose from such as African drum-making and drumming, philosophy, bird watching, makerspace and coding, to name a few. We have a Leadership Elective where our older students are coached to take on whole school projects and activities such as sports day, team spirit activities and performances. Swimming is a club choice in the middle school program in addition to regular PE classes, and students can choose from a variety of additional clubs and afterschool activities to explore their interests. The Middle schoolers participate in Advisory sessions twice a week where they explore all the relevant social, emotional, and safety concerns that are so prevalent in the early teen years. They also have age appropriate digital citizenship activities to promote their virtual safety, exposure and wellbeing. Each year also brings opportunities for fieldwork, service learning and overnight excursions amidst the cultural riches of the region. Most importantly, students are supported by a dedicated team of teachers who understand and enjoy this unique age group.
Ways to get involved
The Jerusalem American International School is always looking for talented and qualified adults to help make our school stronger. We support a vigorous and active Parent Teacher Association (PTA) which organizes a variety of community events such as International Day. Many parents serve as classroom volunteers, support a student club, chaperone a field trip, or help to promote school improvement initiatives through the Advisory Board. And we’re always looking for experienced, qualified teachers to help out as substitutes or fill mid-year vacancies. Please feel free to contact us at admissions@jerusalemais.org to express interest or ask questions about potential opportunities.
Security Partnerships and Neighborhoods
JAIS maintains close ties with both the U.S. Embassy. Security precautions and protocols are reviewed and updated on a regular basis, and field trips are accompanied by trained security personnel according to Ministry of Education requirements. The JAIS campus is located within an enclosed, secure compound within the quiet residential neighborhood of San Simon.
Families who have a choice of residences in Jerusalem are encouraged to choose a home near our campus in the southwest quadrant of the city. Doing so will make daily transportation easier. While traffic in the city is generally moderate, it can get congested at rush hours, and routes can sometimes be diverted during times of political tension. Many school families live in the nearby neighborhoods of San Simon, Katamon, Pat, Malcha, Arnona, Talpiot, German Colony, Baka, Beit Zafafa, Abu Tur, and Talbiyeh.