Al-Andalus International School

Al-Andalus International School (also called Al-Andalus or AAIS) is an International Private School in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is located in Rakah, the center of education in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

The AAIS has gone a long way from its humble beginnings. In its 20 years of providing good quality education, it has produced alumni who have excelled in their areas of concentration. In 2009, an alumnus graduated Summa Cum Laude from Fort Hays State University in Kansas, USA with a degree in Accountancy. In 2010, an alumna graduated Cum Laude from Ateneo de Davao University with a degree in Information Technology. In 2012, an alumnus graduated Cum Laude with a degree of Accountancy from Rutgers University, New Jersey. Lastly, in 2013, an alumna graduated Cum Laude with a degree in Communications at the University of the Philippines Cebu. Moreover, each year, 95% of our alumni earn their College degree. Other alumni have excelled in terms of their academics while earning their degrees at top universities in the Philippines. These universities include the University of the Philippines, De La Salle University (Taft), University of Santo Tomas, Ateneo de Manila University, MAPUA, and the University of Asia and the Pacific. Several of our students have also been accepted in top universities in Canada, Australia, and the United States.

The AAIS prides itself as a school where children learn in a fun, loving, family environment; where each child is seen as a special gift from the Almighty and therefore treated with love and respect; where parents are considered as partners with the school in their children’s education; where teachers are selflessly dedicated in their noble task of shaping young minds; and where the school stands as an avenue where children can express themselves as individuals and, in the process, grow up to be contributing members of society.

“To be a K-12 business school that develops critical thinkers, problem anticipators and solvers, innovators, responsible global citizens and future leaders who are morally upright.” “Our mission is to serve the Filipino community and the nation through developing globally competent individuals who have love and respect for self, for others, for country, and, most importantly, for God.” “We believe that a school achieves success when it forms individuals who
strive to be of value to the community and to the nation and who are zealous for the common good.”

“This year, you will see a dawn to our beloved AAIS, in terms of its new location, facilities, the betterment of its faculty and their teaching methodologies, and the application of the latest technologies, including this website.

As we continue to reach out to the Filipino community in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, we opened this technological window for everyone to know that AAIS is geared toward the betterment of their quality products our beloved students.

It is our objective to continue providing Total Quality Education to all our students. Our school management will ensure the implementation of strategic management principles to attain the school’s vision, mission, objectives and goals.

Now that the facilities, curricular, and extracurricular offerings have been and are continuously being enhanced, a better result is expected starting this academic year and the years to come. Keep moving on, Lions!”.

The school was founded on December 1994 by Dr. Eduardo P. Malagapo, Engr. Bert Javellana and Mr. Felix Frias and was named Philippine Community School in Al-Khobar (PhilCoSa). Its inception happened when the first Philippine school in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia was in deep crisis. Hence, the 1994 Philippine Ambassador, Romulo Espaldon, decided to give other groups of Filipinos an opportunity to put up another school.

Toward the middle of April 1995, PhiCoSa was organized. The school was established to fulfill its mission. Total Commitment for Total Quality Education. It started its academic year on June 1995 with an initial enrollment of 104 students.

In the year 2003 – 2004, the school carried the name “Al-Khobar Asian International School instead of Al-Andalus International School” as directed by the sponsor. The main reason was that the Ministry of Commerce of the Kingdom will not grant a commercial registration for the school if it uses the name Al-Andalus International School since a school with the same name already existed in Riyadh.

The MOE did not approve of this and did not issue the renewal of the school’s license. In order to conform to the MOE’s directive, the school went back to using the name Al-Andalus International School.

In 2004, the MOE issued the permanent license from 1424 – 1425 to 1425 – 1426 or a two year period after which a ten-year period will be issued to AAIS.

Furthermore, the Philippine Department of Education issued government permit no. 002, s. 2007 to AAIS on the 15th of March 2007, granting the school the authority to operate Pre-elementary, Elementary and Secondary courses.