5.1 Information package from the ACS Headmaster’s Office

The information package you have received from the Headmaster’s Office will include, but is not limited to, the following items:

Welcome Letter from the Superintendent
Letter from the Registrar
Letter from the High School Principal, if applicable
Letter from the Middle School Principal, if applicable
Letter from the Lower School Principal, if applicable
Student Information Form
ACS Food Program Information and Menus
Letter from the school nurses
Health Form
Emergency Contact Form
Lower School Supply List
Campus Map
Arrival and Dismissal Routines for Early Childhood Parents
Private Music Lessons Form
ACS Sports Program Information
PTO Information
ACS PTO Volunteer Assistance Form
School Activities Calendar
Lower, Middle or High School Handbook
Handbook for Boarders, if applicable
ACS Student-Athlete handbook
Curriculum Guide Form
ACS Academic Year Calendar
Any upcoming school trip information

It is very important that you fill in and return the Health Form and Emergency Contact Form as soon as possible.

5.2 Ages and Grades

Currently ACS Cobham enrols children from 3 to 18 years of age. For those of you not familiar with the age and grade of students, the chart below should be helpful. Ages (in years) are as of the beginning of the school year. It should be noted that this is only a guide, some children may be older and some children may be younger – it will depend upon their previous education.

Early childhood

Age (yrs)	Grade
2 ½	Flopsy Bunnies
3	Scramblers
4	Pre-Kindergarten
5	Kindergarten

Lower School

Age (yrs)	Grade
6	1st
7	2nd
8	3rd
9	4th

Middle School

Age (yrs)	Grade
10	5th
11	6th
12	7th
13	8th

High School

Age (yrs)	Grade
14	9th (Freshman)
15	10th (Sophomore)
16	11th (Junior)
17	12th (Senior)

5.3 IB and AP

The diversity of the student body forms the basis of the academic programs offered at ACS. While the majority of ACS graduates continue their studies at universities in the United States, many also attend institutions of higher learning throughout the world. Along with the core American high school curriculum, ACS also offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) and Advanced Placement (AP) programs. Students may choose to pursue full diplomas in either the IB or AP, or they may choose to take one or more IB or AP courses as part of their American High School Diploma.

The IB is a recognized pre-university program leading to examinations for separate subject certificates or the full IB diploma. The two-year diploma is usually completed by students in grades 11 and 12 and features a broadly based curriculum including all of the main subject areas.

The AP has historically been considered the standard of academic excellence at North American high schools and is increasingly recognized throughout Europe. AP courses allow ACS students to earn college credits and advance standing in colleges and universities in the US and to gain acceptance into the finest universities throughout the world.

Questions regarding either one of these programs can be directed to the Dean of Academics at the High School.

5.4 Bussing and Parking

All cars driving on campus require a current ACS car sticker. Parents who drive children to school should plan to arrive between 8:00 and 8:25 am. The school is not able to provide supervision before 8:00 am. You may park in the parking lot near the Security Gate (this is known as the HQ Parking Lot) or in the car park in front of admissions, and walk your children from your parked car to the sidewalk. In the afternoon, when picking up your children, you will not be permitted in the parking lot in front of admissions. This is strictly reserved for the buses between 2:30 –3.30 pm. You may park in the HQ Parking Lot and walk to meet your children. If you have any questions please call the Transportation Department at 01932 869 755.

5.5 PE and the Sports Centre

The ACS Sports Centre is a state-of-the-art facility which offers sport and leisure activities for students and adults. There is a 25 m swimming pool, fitness suite, instructional class area, gymnasium, café and locker rooms. Please stop by the reception desk at The Sports Centre to pick up an information pack. This pack will include the current quarter’s schedule for all classes available, as well as a current schedule for facility use. There is a nominal membership fee for adults for use of the pool and fitness suite. Instructional classes are charged extra. The ACS School Shop is located in The Sports Centre. Here you can purchase the required PE uniform, plus a multitude of other ACS products. If you have any questions regarding The Sports Centre, please call the reception desk at 01932 588 345.

5.6 Lunch Program

Lower School. Each child is assigned a barcode. When children wish to buy lunch, their name will be checked off a sheet as they approach the food counter. Their barcode will then be scanned and £2.40 will be debited from their lunch account.

Middle and High School. The MS and HS students use a swipe card system. The food court has an itemised menu where the student can choose from a wide variety of dishes. A typical hot meal is around £2.20 to £2.80 with dessert. This itemised system allows students to spend less if they just want a snack. There is a daily limit of £5.00 to deter abuse of lost cards.

To charge up an account, please send a cheque payable to “ACS Ltd” to your child’s school office for the attention of Catering. Please ensure the student’s name and grade is detailed on the reverse. Alternatively, your child may bring the money/cheque directly to the tills during lunch. Further details can be found in the school’s Cobham Connection publication. Questions may be directed to Catering at 01932 588 319.

5.7 The Cobham Connection

Every month you will receive an issue of the ACS Cobham Connection, an all encompassing, non-academic publication. Monthly updates include information from the PTO, Transportation, ACS Food program, all the principals, International Youth Sports (IYS) and scouting, to name but a few contributors. Reading the entire publication may seem daunting for a newcomer. It is beneficial, however, to always glance at the table of contents, and locate where to find information pertinent to your child and the activities taking place in his/her school. Also, the first item in the Cobham Connection is an updated calendar for that particular month.

5.8 Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)

All parents of the ACS Cobham students as well as the ACS Cobham staff are members of the PTO. The PTO is run by the PTO board. The members of the PTO board are volunteer parents, elected each year by a Nominating Committee. The PTO Board consists of:

President
1st and 2nd Vice Presidents
Secretary and Treasurer
Liaisons (parent representatives) for Early Childhood, grades 1-4, 5-6, 7-8 and High School
Representatives from the Booster Club and the Boarding House
Representatives from Country Representatives Group and the Welcome Team

The aim of the PTO is to provide all members of different backgrounds and cultures with a collective voice on campus. It is also to help facilitate initiatives, activities, programs and events at school, and to ease the transition of new families to a new school and a new culture.

5.9 Country Representatives Group

The ACS community is made up of people from more than 50 countries. The goal for the Country Representatives Group (CRG) is the following:

welcome new families in their native language – in close cooperation with the Welcome Team
representation on the school’s PTO board and Native Language committee
support the EAL (English as an Additional Language) program
coordinate flag raising ceremonies for each country together with the school
participate in ACS events such as the Lower School International Fair and International Food Court(s), etc.
coordinate parents events, such as “What’s What”- a social and informational parent coffee