American Community School of Abu Dhabi

The American Community School of Abu Dhabi (ACS) 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,[2] 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
LanguageEnglish
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).[3] The school is run by a Superintendent[4] and governed by an 11-person Board of Trustees.[5]

ACS is certified by the International Baccalaureate Organization. It is an associate member of both the North East South Asian Council of Overseas Schools [6][7](NESA) and the European Council of International Schools (ECIS).[8] ACS is also a member of the Middle East South Asia Conference (MESAC)[9] and the Global Online Academy (GOA) consortium.[10]

Campus and 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.

ACS facilities consist of 4 main buildings: Elementary School Grades KG-3, Elementary School Grades 4-5, Middle School Grades 6-8, and High School Grades 9-12.  The Middle School building is surrounded by a landscaped central outdoor courtyard with pergolas and tables often used for poetry readings, filming, recitation, etc. The High School has a dedicated courtyard used mainly for breaks and lunch. Because of its capacity, ACS hosts local and international athletic tournaments, fine arts conferences and service learning workshops, particularly those of the Middle East South Asia Conference (MESAC).

Facilities of note include:[11]

  • 3 Drama studios (one per division)
  • 3 Art rooms (1 per division)
  • 2 Library / Media centers (Elementary and Middle & High School)
  • Music room (Elementary School)
  • 2 Choir Rooms (Middle and High School)
  • 9 science laboratories (3 Middle School, 6 High School)
  • 2 shaded Elementary playgrounds: one for KG1 and KG2, the other for Grades 1-5
  • Dedicated technology spaces including Elementary School Innovation Lab, Middle School Techttoo Studios, High School Design Tech Fab Lab, computer programming and robotics space, and a film studio
  • Cardio and Weight Rooms
  • Band Room and Music practice spaces (shared by Middle and High School)
  • Auditorium
  • Shaded (heated and chilled) swimming pool
  • 2 gymnasiums
  • 2 large playing fields (Jassim Field and Cramer Field).  Cramer Field is constructed of Astroturf, an artificial grass.
  • Several multi-purpose spaces
  • A parent-run store selling uniforms and spirit merchandise

Programs

ACS is split into three divisions: Elementary School (ranging from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 5), Middle School (Grades 6 to 8), and High School (Grades 9 to 12). A principal and assistant principal guide each division.

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[12]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,[13] and Palestine Children's Relief Fund (PCRF).[14] 5,000+ hours of service are contributed annually by ACS students in grades 1–12.

In 2021, ACS received the Future-Thinking Innovators Award at the International School Awards[15] for the Middle School technology program.

Faculty

There are approximately 135 educators at ACS.  These teachers represent 20 nationalities, approximately 50% American, 30% Canadian and 20% other countries.  65% hold Advanced Degrees (Masters and / or Doctorate) and spend an average of 6 years at ACS.  ACS have an average student to faculty ratio of 9:1.[16]

Students

The student body consists of approximately 1,200 students[17] 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.[20]

Faculty achievements
  • Nate Bowling, current HS teacher, 2016 Washington State Teacher of the Year and 2016 National Teacher of the Year Finalist[21]
  • Brad Flickinger, current MS teacher: author of Reward Learning with Badges: Spark Student Achievement (2016)[22]
  • Randall Girdner, current HS teacher: author of Boyd McCloyd and the Time-Travelling King (2020); The Wizard of New York City series (2016)
  • Matt McGrady, current HS teacher: featured on p. 90-91 of The Power of Making Thinking Visible: Practices to Engage and Empower All Learners by Ron Ritchhart and Mark Church (2020)[23]
  • Robert “Bob Rob” Medina, current HS teacher: author of Denvoid and the Cowtown Punks (2015) and Y Con Tu Espíritu : Palabras y Muertitos (2020)[24]

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.[25]

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.

See also

References
  1. "Mission and Strategic Plan – American Community School of Abu Dhabi". www.acs.sch.ae. Retrieved 2020-08-16.
  2. "Office of Overseas Schools". United States Department of State. Retrieved 2020-10-21.
  3. "MSA-CESS -> Home". www.msa-cess.org. Retrieved 2020-10-21.
  4. "Superintendent's Welcome – American Community School of Abu Dhabi". www.acs.sch.ae. Retrieved 2020-08-19.
  5. "Board of Trustees – American Community School of Abu Dhabi". www.acs.sch.ae. Retrieved 2020-08-19.
  6. "Home - Near East South Asia Council of Overseas". www.nesacenter.org. Retrieved 2020-10-19.
  7. "PDAC - Near East South Asia Council of Overseas". www.nesacenter.org. Retrieved 2020-10-19.
  8. "Home Page". Educational Collaborative for International Schools (ECIS). Retrieved 2020-10-19.
  9. "Athletics - American Community School of Abu Dhabi". www.acs.sch.ae. Retrieved 2020-10-19.
  10. "GOA's Global Consortium of Member Schools". GOA. Retrieved 2020-08-19.
  11. "Campus - American Community School of Abu Dhabi". www.acs.sch.ae. Retrieved 2020-11-10.
  12. "Service Learning – American Community School of Abu Dhabi". www.acs.sch.ae. Retrieved 2020-08-16.
  13. "Elementary School Service Learning – American Community School of Abu Dhabi". www.acs.sch.ae. Retrieved 2020-08-19.
  14. "PCRF". PCRF. Retrieved 2020-10-20.
  15. "International School Awards 2021 - ISC Research". www.iscresearch.com. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
  16. Flipsnack. "ACS 2018-19 Annual Report". Flipsnack. Retrieved 2020-11-11.
  17. Flipsnack. "ACS 2018–19 Annual Report". Flipsnack. Retrieved 2020-08-16.
  18. Gottfried, Rory Jones and Miriam (2020-12-05). "Abu Dhabi's $230 Billion Man Bet the World Would Overcome Covid-19". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2020-12-06.
  19. "Luka Peros on Instagram: "Today we'll be celebrating 25 years from our High School graduation, the class of '95 @acsabudhabi Really looking forward to seeing them…"". Instagram. Retrieved 2020-11-10.
  20. "News Post - American Community School of Abu Dhabi". www.acs.sch.ae. Retrieved 2020-11-10.
  21. "Nate". INQUIRY PARTNERS. Retrieved 2020-11-10.
  22. "5 steps to get started with digital badging [VIDEO] | ISTE". www.iste.org. Retrieved 2020-11-10.
  23. "Books". Ron Ritchhart. Retrieved 2020-11-10.
  24. Art, Bob Rob. "Book". Bob Rob Art. Retrieved 2020-11-10.
  25. International Schools in Abu Dhabi
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