The Al-Andalus International School Al-Khobar 

(AAIS), formerly known as the Philippine Community School in Al-Khobar, was organized in April 1995 with Engr. Bert Javellana, Mr. Felix Frias and Dr. Eduardo P. Malagapo as founders. The school started with an initial enrollment of 104 students.

After several challenging years and with different sponsors, the school finally was under the sponsorship of Prince Bandar Al-Saud Al-Kabeer and his wife, Princess Meshael. It was with their wholehearted support that the school was granted license number 133/s by the Ministry of Education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

On 15 March 2007, the Philippine Department of Education issued government permit no. 002, s. 2007, granting AAIS the authority to operate pre-elementary, elementary and secondary courses.

The AAIS has gone a long way from its humble beginnings. Now it 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

In response to the clamor and desire of the many officials and staff of the Philippine Embassy in Jeddah, as well as the Filipino community, the Philippine School in Saudi Arabia, now called the International Philippine School in Jeddah (IPSJ) was founded in 1981. With a permit from then Philippine Ministry of Education Culture and Sports, it started operating with 16 pupils in the elementary level, and a teaching staff of less than 10. As years went by, the enrollment steadily increased and in 1986 the Permit to Operate the secondary level was likewise granted by the Philippine Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS).

The PPSA was considered as one of the Embassy’s education and cultural activities, and as such was under the Embassy’s supervision through the Philippine Consulate in Jeddah. The first Philippine School in Saudi Arabia was established during the time of Ambassador Alejandro A. Yango and Consul General Ali Taupan with Rosemarie Villamor as the first school directress. With the establishment of the other schools in the Kingdom, the name Philippine School in Saudi Arabia (PSSA) was changed to Philippine School in Jeddah (PSJ). Having been granted a Permit to Operate as an international school sometime in 1996, it opened its doors to foreigners who sought entrance into the institution after obtaining their permits from the Saudi Ministry of Education.

In 1997, after 16 years of providing quality education to children of Filipino migrant workers, the school was privatized with parents as owners, pursuant to the mandate of the Saudi Government.

To date, the IPSJ has produced graduates who now hold prominent positions such as diplomats, lawyers, engineers, doctors, teachers, etc. around the globe, and who render actual services in their respective fields. They are the living witnesses of the school’s commitment to provide world class and quality education to Filipinos and non-Filipino children in Jeddah.