Q. Where do ACS students come from?
A. While American students represent approximately 50% of our total student population, ACS also enrolls students from 60 other countries, with significant numbers from the UK, Canada, Denmark, Sweden, The Netherlands, Norway, and Japan.
Q. What can you tell me about ACS's teachers?
A. All of our teachers have undergraduate degrees, and nearly half have advanced degrees, including many Phds. ACS only hires teachers with two or more years of teaching experience.
Our faculty reflect the diversity of our student population. There are over 30 nationalities on the staff, although we are predominantly British and American.
Of equal importance to our faculty qualifications and experience is their ongoing training. ACS offers each staff member a professional development allowance to use in upgrading skills and/or further study. Additionally, the ACS organization regularly brings international experts such as Howard Gardiner of the Harvard School of Education, to present workshops and training sessions for our faculty.
Q. How long do families stay at ACS?
A. The average stay is between two to five years. This has been changing, however, as greater numbers of families relocate permanently to the UK, and more British students attend the schools. What will not change, is the care and attention given each student who joins us, whether they join on the first day, at the semester, or at anytime throughout the school year. New students to ACS find our student body to be warm and welcoming, helping newcomers acclimatise quickly and easily to their new school.
Q. Can ACS accommodate students for whom English is a second language?
A. Yes. All three ACS schools offer English as an Additional Language (EAL) support for beginning EAL students from 1st Grade to 8th Grade. As the requirements of the High School and IB Diploma programmes are very high, intermediate and advanced EAL are provided in the High School. English proficiency testing may be required from 8th Grade.
Q. What happens to students who graduate from ACS or transfer back to another American curriculum school with their families?
A. Generally, ACS families experience a seamless transition to another international or American school. We regularly survey our departing families to see if there are areas where we need to improve. Usually, we find the students on target and ahead in some areas.
For our graduates, as ACS is a college preparatory school, most of our students attend university, including some of the world's most prestigious universities including the University of Tokyo, Oxford, Harvard, Yale, Stanford, and the London School of Economics.
Q. When may I apply for places at ACS for my children?
A. ACS operates a rolling admissions process and considers student applications throughout the year. As education is generally a critical piece of an international relocation, we do encourage all families to apply as soon as they know they will need places for their children and before deciding on housing in the area.
Q. How do I apply for places at ACS for my children?
A. We require a combination of previous school records, teacher recommendations, application, and application fee, although other material such as educational evaluations, placement tests and additional materials may be required. More specific information is given on the Application for Admission. Requirements vary for each Grade level, so please see our application form to learn more about the application process as it relates to your children.
Q. Will you accept copies of student records?
A. Yes, however, original transcripts should be sent prior to beginning studies at ACS. High School students must send original transcripts.
Q. Are there any medical requirements that must be met?
A. Yes. Parents of children ages 3-5 must submit an original note from the child's doctor stating that the child is "fit and able to participate in a regular school programme." Once students join the school, parents are required to submit complete medical information including vaccination records. ACS school nurses maintain health records for all enrolled students. Boarding students must also submit complete health histories, including a recent physical examination, prior to matriculation.
Q. How are students evaluated for admission to ACS?
A. The goal of the admissions process is to determine the needs of each individual child, whether academic, physical and/or social-emotional. The admission process at ACS is very individualized. After receiving all of the required materials mentioned above, each child's record is reviewed by an Admissions Committee. The Admissions Committee examines the whole child and strives to accept students for whom ACS can offer an appropriate educational environment.
Q. Can you accommodate children with differing learning styles?
A. ACS offers limited support for students with differing learning styles. Children who may need additional support are welcome to apply to each ACS school. In most cases, however, the Admissions Committee may ask for additional information to support the child's application such as standardized testing or other diagnostic testing.
Q. What about children who have been formally identified as gifted?
A. The academic standards at each ACS school are those of a respected independent school. ACS schools also offer enrichment for highly able children. A disproportionately large number of ACS students have been identified as gifted by their previous school districts. Also, ACS is an active participant in the Center for Talented Youth program of The Johns Hopkins University's Institute for the Academic Advancement of Youth.
Q. When and how will I be notified of my child's acceptance to ACS?
A. Because ACS reviews student applications throughout the year, decisions to accept or not to accept students are generally made within 10 working days of receipt of a completed application and the required supporting documentation. All families are notified in writing of the Admissions Committee's decision.
Q. Are on-campus interviews required?
A. No. Because ACS serves an internationally mobile population, student on-campus interviews are often impossible to arrange. However, in some cases an interview may be required.
ACS certainly encourages all interested families to visit our schools, especially potential boarding students. We find this helps families begin to look forward to their pending relocation to our school community.
Q. Do ACS International Schools ever have a waiting list?
A. ACS is highly responsive to the needs of our internationally mobile population. We strive to secure places for all our admitted applicants throughout our three-school system. Generally, we do not have waitlists, but the Admissions Officer will warn you if there are concerns regarding your child’s grade.
