ASHRAFIEH
1973
The situation, and environment of the school and parish is the same as Misdar, in the Downtown centre of Amman with the same parish priest. The difference being that here the school is situated at the summit of the steep sided hill with Misdar School in the bottom of the valley. The area is becoming predominantly Muslim. Similar to the school at Misdar, buildings surround the site on two sides with streets on the other two. The children come from the same area of high-density population. Originally a Christian area it is now becoming predominantly Muslim.
When it was established in 1973 the school was at first a boys only school, all the girls being at Misdar. It was only in 2003, after the big renovation programme for both schools, that the school became mixed. Before this took place, the parents were consulted and a majority of 84% were in favour. When this happened, the grades from nine to twelve were transferred to Misdar and it became a mixed secondary school. Ashrafieh is now an Elementary School with grades from one to eight. There is no Kindergarten.
The present Principal was a Biology teacher then Vice Principal at Misdar before moving to Ashrafieh two years ago. She has a secretary and accounts assistant, there are twenty-four teachers, two of whom are Muslim.
On roll there are 325 children, about 50/50 boys and girls with a small percentage of non-Christian. Sixteen classrooms provide accommodation for one class in each of grades one to three, two classes in grades four to six and three classes in grades seven and eight.
There is only one laboratory for computer studies with eighteen sets and
a poorly equipped science laboratory.
The fairly well stocked library has many books, though some are very old and the rest obviously frequently used.
The large multipurpose hall is used on many occasions and there is Mass celebrated here for the entire school, on Wednesday mornings.
There is a need for a full time counsellor, the present one works on a voluntary basis in a room set aside for the purpose. The playground space is good, particularly the one on the lower ground which is used by the first three grades. This has a covered area but there is no play equipment. There is a further enclosed area, which, if cleaned and refurbished would provide a good space where the younger children could sit and play.
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