American Community School Beirut

American Community School Beirut (ACS Beirut)
Address
67 Nigeria Street, Jal El-Bahr
Ras Beirut
Beirut
Lebanon
Coordinates 33°54′03″N 35°28′38″E / 33.900799°N 35.477242°E / 33.900799; 35.477242Coordinates: 33°54′03″N 35°28′38″E / 33.900799°N 35.477242°E / 33.900799; 35.477242
Information
Type Private
Established 1905
Area trustee Karim Abu-Haydar
Headmaster Greg MacGilpin, Jr.
Grades Nursery-12
Age range 3-18
Enrollment 1130 students
Language English, Arabic, French
Campus Urban
Color(s) Blue & Yellow          
Slogan Building for the Future : Educating for a Lifetime
Song Alma Mater
Fight song Dynamite, K-N-I-G-H-T-S
Athletics Basketball, Soccer, Volleyball, Badminton, Track & Field, Swimming, Rugby, Tennis
Accreditation Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
Publication ACS Matters
Newspaper Alpeh Be - Zephyr - POT
Tuition ± $14,000
Feeder to American University of Beirut
Website http://www.acs.edu.lb

The American Community School Beirut, (Arabic: مدرسة الجالية الأميركية في بيروت‎‎), also known as ACS Beirut, is an elite, private school located in Beirut, Lebanon, founded in 1905, traditionally attached to the American University of Beirut. As an independent coeducational institution, it offers education to students of all nationalities, ranging from preschool, students aged from 3 years, to high school grade 12 of the type K-12. It offers the International Baccalaureate and the Lebanese Baccalaureate programs as well as its own college prep program.

History

The school was founded by a small group of American parents from the American University of Beirut, then known as the Syrian Protestant College, who wanted a school where their children could receive preparation for entrance into American universities. The small faculty school thrived and by 1920 had expanded from its original home on rue Bliss to a red-roofed house on rue Sidani. At this point, the American Presbyterian Mission joined the AUB in sponsorship of the school. It was at this point that the school was renamed to the American Community School. By the 1940s, the student body had grown to more than 900 primarily Western children; the present building was built in 1949 with funds provided by ARAMCO. Today, students are primarily Lebanese, as with the university.

The school celebrated its Centennial on June 24, 2005, and in June 2011, ACS Beirut celebrated the graduation of its 100th graduating class. Dr. George H. Damon, Jr. remained headmaster of the school from 2003 till his retirement in 2013.[1]

ACS's history is described by Wade Morris, Jr. in A History of ACS; The American Community School at Beirut 1905-2012.[2] The book is a must-read for every member of the ACS community.

Academics

[3] ACS Beirut offers three types of high school diploma. The American High School Diploma program prepares students for admission to colleges and universities in the US. All graduates will earn the high school diploma. Additionally, ACS offers the International Baccalaureate diploma as well as the Lebanese Baccalaureate diploma. Each of these three diploma programs has a slightly different course of study, but only in selected grade levels. For the IB Diploma Program, the course of study is differentiated in the last two years of high school. For the Lebanese Baccalaureate, the course of study differs in grades 9 and 12. Otherwise, regardless of their diploma program, students are all exposed to an American curriculum characterized by study of values that include openness, democracy, and creativity, as well as respect for all religions and gender equity.

Campus Facilities

The ACS campus is located within a short distance from the Mediterranean Sea and consists of five buildings.

The Lower School building consists of a library, computer center, auditorium, multipurpose hall, art room, as well as the Early Years and Elementary administrative wing. The Middle School building houses all Middle School classrooms, science laboratories, lego robotics lab, High School student services, counselors, infirmary, special support personnel, college counselor and community service advisor, as well as the Upper Library and the Middle School computer center. The building has its own auditorium and music room and houses the School Cafeteria. The Upper School Building, also known as BD Building, consists of a bookstore, Community Lounge, Print Shop, IT Department, High School classrooms and laboratories, as well as administrative offices. The gymnasium, built in the late fiftes, stood as an architectural landmark for decades, and includes a basketball court, locker rooms, a dance studio and a fitness center. The Faculty building was completed in April 2015. The first basement and ground floor host music rooms for elementary, middle and high school divisions. Elementary language rooms and Grade 5 classrooms are located on first through third floor. The residential part consists of 16 typical apartments starting on the 4th up to the 11th. The Head of School residence is located on the 12th and 13th floor with a roof top that is used for social gatherings.

Notable alumni

References

  1. ↑ "Special dinner held recognizing Dr. George H. Damon, Jr., retiring head of the American Community School at Beirut". American Community School, Beirut; News Post. 2013-07-15. Retrieved 2014-07-01.
  2. ↑ http://almashriq.hiof.no/lebanon/300/370/371/acs/books/
  3. ↑ http://www.acs.edu.lb/page.cfm?p=1073
  4. ↑ Ken Micallef. "Stewart Copeland: Staring Down the Future". Modern Drummer. Retrieved 2007-09-16.
  5. ↑ "Biography of Malcolm Hooper Kerr". Middle East Studies Association. Retrieved 2007-09-16.
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