Press Release: 21 February 2005

American Community Schools' international growth reflects the importance of an international education in a world of increased globalisation and greater mobility.  After extensive research, to reflect this international growth and better represent the Schools, the American Community Schools England have rebranded. From February 21, 2005, the organisation will be known as ACS International Schools.

The School's three Greater London campuses will be known as ACS Cobham International School, ACS Egham International School and ACS Hillingdon International School, ensuring each has a strong identity. The rebranding retains the mortarboard design, which communicates American and international education values, academic excellence and international breadth.  

Additionally, to reflect the unity of purpose and ethos running throughout the Schools, the new strapline is "A Passion for Achievement".  This statement signals the entire organisation's goal:  the passion for achieving the very best for each individual student.

These changes were undertaken after extensive research and consultation with students, parents, staff and the School's wider community. The rebranding does not affect the curriculum or the educational programmes and philosophy of education at the Schools, which will continue to evolve to meet students' future needs.

Commenting on the rebranding, Head of Marketing Fergus Rose said, "in addition to on-going investment in curriculum development and teacher training, ACS International Schools have made a significant re-investment in facilities and programmes.  This year alone, we have built a new Early Childhood Village on the Cobham Campus, redeveloped a state-of-the-art building for Music Technology at Hillingdon and are enhancing the food service facilities at Egham. Plus, we have created our new identity which is consistent with the goals and nature of our organisation."

Formed 38 years ago to support the needs of internationally mobile business people, the schools today educate students from over sixty countries, offering American and international curricula including the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma and American Advanced Placement (AP) courses.  The flexibility and rigour of these programmes have meant that the ACS International Schools' graduates attend some of the finest universities around the world including:  Cambridge, Erasmus, Harvard, Imperial College London, Keio, London School of Economics, McGill, Norwegian Institute of Technology, Oxford, Princeton, Stanford, Stockholm School of Economics, Tokyo, and Yale.

Ends

Notes for editors

ACS International Schools enrol a total of 2,300 students from over 60 countries, with the main nationalities being American and British. The co-educational Schools offer rigorous international and American curricula to students aged between 2 ½ and 18 at three locations in Greater London, England – Cobham, Egham and Hillingdon.  Each School incorporates expansive grounds, state-of-the-art facilities, and an on-going programme of investment. The student-centred philosophy is built on strong core academic programmes; these are complemented by extensive art, sports, and cultural activities which make use of the many opportunities presented locally and internationally. Boarding is available at ACS Cobham for students aged 12 years and over.

For more information, contact:

Fergus Rose
Head of Marketing
Tel:  01932 867 251
Email:  frose@acs-england.co.uk