International Philippine School

International Philippine School in Jeddah (IPSJ) was founded in 1981 in response to requests from Philippine Embassy officials and staff in Jeddah and the Filipino community. Originally named Philippine School in Saudi Arabia (PSSA), it was the first Philippine school in the Kingdom.

Founding and Early Education

• The school began operating with a permit from the then Philippine Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports, serving 16 elementary pupils with fewer than 10 teachers.
• It was established during the tenure of Ambassador Alejandro A. Yango and Consul General Ali Taupan, with Rosemarie Villamor as its first school directress.
• As one of the Embassy’s educational and cultural activities, the school was supervised by the Embassy through the Philippine Consulate in Jeddah.

Growth and International Status

• Enrollment increased steadily, and in 1986 the Philippine Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) granted a government permit to operate the secondary level.
• Following the establishment of other schools in the Kingdom, its name changed from Philippine School in Saudi Arabia (PSSA) to Philippine School in Jeddah (PSJ).
• In 1996, the school received a permit to operate as an international school. It opened admission to non-Filipino students who obtained the required permits from the Saudi Ministry of Education.

Parent Ownership

In 1997, after 16 years of providing quality education to children of Filipino migrant workers, the school was privatized and became parent-owned, in accordance with the Saudi Government’s mandate.

Graduates and Educational Commitment

IPSJ graduates hold prominent positions worldwide as diplomats, lawyers, engineers, doctors, teachers and other professionals, actively serving in their respective fields. Their achievements reflect the school’s commitment to providing world-class, quality education to Filipino and non-Filipino children in Jeddah.