Athens College

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Athens College (Κολλέγιο Αθηνών) is a co-educational private independent school in Psychiko, Greece, a suburb of Athens, part of the Hellenic-American Educational Foundation (Ελληνοαμερικανικό Εκπαιδευτικό Ίδρυμα) which also includes Psychiko College, although both schools are usually reffered to as "Athens College". It was established in 1925 to bring the best of both Greek and American educational systems to Greece. The school's founders and big donors were Emmanuel Benakis, namesake of the Benaki Museum of Athens, as well as the schools main building, and Stephanos Delta. Instruction is in both Greek and English.

The 3,000 students are divided among Athens and Psychico College, each of which includes an Elemenatry School, a middle school, and an upper school. The upper school of Psychico College also offers students interested in studies abroad the International Baccalaureate programe. The adult education program enrolls another 2,000 students.

Approximately 98% of its graduates go on to university, half of which abroad.

Athens College is well-known for its annual school fair (Panigiri) which raises money in the tens of thousands for philanthropic purposes and attracts people from all around Athens and other schools. Besides this, Athens College has a Forensics Club, a Model United Nations Club and a Drama Club.

Athens College has a great tradition in mathematical competitions, both national and international. Its students are prepared in the school's Mathematic Club. School representatives every succeed in the national competitions, participate in the national team and win prizes in Mathematical Olympiads as well as forensics competitions, yearly. Also notable are the school's distinctions in competitions such as AMC 8, AMC 10 and AIME. The Drama Club has begun a tradition the last years by earning prizes, distinctions and awards every single year in national and regional tournaments. Also notable is the Model United Nations Club action which every year participates with great success in conferences such as THIMUN, SAIMUN, BERMUN and DSAMUN at the German School of Athens.

Athens College's library is one of the largest school libraries in Europe and the first in Greece to have all its books electronically catalogued.

The sporting facilities of Athens College include a gym, two football pitches (one gravel), seven outdoor basketball courts, three outdoor tennis courts, an indoor swimming pool, a track & field court, and an indoor sports centre with facilities for squash, table tennis, gymnastics, volleyball, martial arts, and other events. The school's varsity teams are well-known in Greece for their continuing success in football, basketball, volleyball and track & field.

Athens College is incorporated in both Greece and the State of New York and is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization. Furthermore, very important for the school's spirit and an indication of its special status is its scholarship programme (funded by the parents associations and the alumni club SAKA) which gives the opportunity to students from all social and economic layers to study there.

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