American Community School of Abu Dhabi

The American Community School of Abu Dhabi is a non-profit, co-educational school operating in the United Arab Emirates. It was founded in 1972[1] and follows an American, standards-based curriculum with English instruction. ACS offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma, as well as a rigorous college preparatory American based diploma. ACS is affiliated with the Office of Overseas Schools, United States Department of State.

American Community School of Abu Dhabi
Location
Khalidiyah

Abu Dhabi

United Arab Emirates
Coordinates24.463723°N 54.342102°E / 24.463723; 54.342102
Information
Founded1972
StatusOpen
SuperintendentMonique Flickinger
GradesKG1-12
Enrollment1200
Medium of languageEnglish
School colour(s)Green and White
Athletics conferenceMiddle East South Asia Conference (MESAC)
MascotSandy the Sand Viper
NicknameACS
Team nameSand Vipers
AccreditationMiddle States Association of Colleges and Schools
International Baccalaureate Organization
Websiteacs.sch.ae

ACS is licensed by the UAE's Ministry of Education and is accredited by Middle States Association (MSA). The school is run by a Superintendent and governed by an 11-person Board of Trustees.

ACS is certified by the International Baccalaureate Organization. It is an associate member of both the North East South Asian Association of Overseas Schools (NESA) and the European Council of International Schools (ECIS). ACS is also a member of the Middle East South Asia Conference (MESAC) and the Global Online Academy (GOA) consortium.

Campus & facilities

The first campus was founded in 1972, near the Japan Oil Company off Sheikh Zayed the First Road, by the US diplomatic mission and representatives of major oil companies. In 1975 the campus moved to its current location on Sultan bin Zayed Street - a site donated by President Sheikh Khalifa and further extended by him in 1989. This allowed ACS to add a high school in 1991 and offer more extra-curricular activities, including media centers, a theatre, a dance studio, and multipurpose rooms.

The school is a facility consisting of several classrooms equipped with computers. Buildings include two libraries, a cafeteria and snack bar, music rooms, science labs, IT centers, a TV production studio, two indoor gymnasiums, and two fields. The outdoor facilities include a soccer, football and softball field, and a swimming pool. Cramer Field, located behind the school gym, is constructed of Astroturf, an artificial grass. Because of its capacity, ACS hosts several athletic tournaments, particularly those of the Middle East South Asia Conference (MESAC).

Programs

The school is split into three divisions. Elementary School is from Kindergarten to grade 5. Middle School consists of grades 6 to 8. High School consists of grades 9 to 12.

Middle School offers core subjects and two to four (depending on grade level) electives that the students choose.

In High School, starting in 2007, ACS started to offer the IB Diploma program consisting of a wide variety of International Baccalaureate (IB) classes. Since 2018, ACS offers a selection of AP (Advanced Placement) classes. Students are also given a wide range of elective courses to choose from. All High School students must complete 10 hours of community service each year.

To graduate from ACS, students must have at least 25 credits at the end of four years. Along with the general requirement of 25 credits, students are required to obtain a certain number of credits in particular areas of study as well as complete 10 hours of community service each year of High School.

Service learning [2]is part of ACS's Mission and community service at ACS is extensive, and includes a wide range of student-driven and organized efforts, as well as a number of established organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Doctors Without Borders (MSF), Roots & Shoots, and Palestine Children's Relief Fund (PCRF). 5,000+ hours of service are contributed annually by ACS students in grades 1-12.

Students

The student body consists of approximately 1,200 students[3] from 56 nationalities. About 58% of the students are from the United States, 8% from Canada, and 4% from the UAE itself.

Notable alumni

Famous visitors

In 1975, Santa Claus arrived at ACS by helicopter; coming down to the school campus. Soon after the event, a popular celebration was created known as "Breakfast With Santa" starting at the beginning of each December, every year. Breakfast with Santa has been a tradition at ACS ever since.

Jane Goodall, anthropologist, visits ACS often.

Sports and activities

Extra-curricular activities include music, art, drama, choir, robotics, soccer, volleyball, basketball, baseball, softball, badminton, swimming, cross country, track & field, golf, fitness training, digital photography, multimedia, Model United Nations, debate & forensics, academic games, audio production, and a wide variety of other activities based upon student interests.[4]

ACS is a member of MESAC, a regional conference allowing its students to meet and compete against students from other MESAC schools in both athletic and non-athletic events. The school was formerly a member of the Eastern Mediterranean Activities Conference (EMAC).

ACS has also hosted The MS Arts Invitational, featuring band, drama, choir, and art.

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See also

References
  1. "Mission and Strategic Plan - American Community School of Abu Dhabi". www.acs.sch.ae. Retrieved 2020-08-16.
  2. "Service Learning - American Community School of Abu Dhabi". www.acs.sch.ae. Retrieved 2020-08-16.
  3. Flipsnack. "ACS 2018-19 Annual Report". Flipsnack. Retrieved 2020-08-16.
  4. International Schools in Abu Dhabi
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