Enrollment

For the 7^th year in a row we are exceeding expectations with our budget.  Currently we have 865 students enrolled at ACS Athens:  ES – 340; MS – 169; Academy – 357.  The distribution is as follows:

• Elementary School

U.S.	119	36%
Host Country	104	32%
Other	105	32%

• Middle School

U.S.	65	34%
Host Country	64	34%
Other	62	32%

• Academy

U.S.	134	38%
Host Country	123	34%
Other	100	28%

TOTAL:  U.S. – 36%; Host Country – 33%; Other – 30%     

Final Results on College Plans – Class of 2011

There were 90 students in the graduating class of 2011 of which:

(i) 100% graduated;

(ii) 100% attended colleges/universities;

(iii) 98% were accepted into their first and second choice schools

College Application Workshop

The College application workshop evening took place on October 6th and it was very heartwarming to see over 40 parents and students attending.  "How to" processes were discussed regarding: filling out applications, taking and sending standardized tests to universities, financial aid, writing essays and much more.

The presentation was conducted using role play with one counselor playing themselves, the other playing the student and another being a parent.  The method used provided a lot of important information in a relaxed, fun atmosphere and judging from parent/student comments, it was an effective way to retain and use the information needed.  Ms. Pelonis and all academic advisors delivered the workshop.

NESA Conference

Five Board members and two administrators participated at the NESA Administrator’s Conference that took place on October 20-23.  Thus, from our current 15 Board members, six will be completing the Board training sessions offered by NESA.

College/University Visits

Fifty-five university decision-makers (Deans, Directors of Admission or Associate Directors of International Admissions) have been scheduled to visit ACS Athens from September – November, including the following universities:  Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Tufts, Babson, University of Richmond, Boston University, University of Mary Washington, Mount Holyoke, Georgetown, College Board, Northeastern University, Stanford, Imperial College, LSE, UCL, and Kings.

This year we have 95 seniors.  We are educating parents and students to apply to universities with the “best fit” under three pillars:  1) academic qualification; 2) financial ability of parents; 3) appropriate environment for each student.

Academic Qualifications:  profile of each student in terms of grades, SAT scores, IB predictions (where applicable), co-curricular activities, talents, and interests. 

Financial Ability:  possible merit scholarships, financial aid (comparing with previous years) and the parents’ financial situation and affordability.

University Environment:  large school, middle size school, small size, large city, small city, region, public, private, etc.

College Level Art Course

ACS Athens began a successful collaboration with AKTO Art College beginning this school year.  Fifteen ACS Athens students have registered for the course “Portfolio Design” with AKTO College. 

ACS Athens students are paying €500.00 tuition (regular price is €1,700).  By the end of this semester course, they will have the competencies to design a complete Art portfolio which can be used when they apply to colleges in the United States and Europe.

Faculty Development

A new approach for faculty development began this year, with the first meeting taking place with great success.  Faculty are empowered to improve teaching and learning in their classrooms through 1) participation in local professional conferences; 2) the creation of a foundation for the establishment of school-wide Collaborative Learning Communities (CLCs), which empower teachers by providing time on a regular basis to meet in collaboration in order to develop ways to enhance student learning; 3) by sponsoring a “mini” conference in November that will take place in Athens and will feature ACS Athens teachers who will share best practices with their colleagues in a workshop setting.

ACS Athens Publicity

From the beginning of this academic year we had an exceptionally strong presence in the Greek media:

(i)            One article about the International Baccalaureate Program – Ms. Julia Tokatlidou.

(ii)           One article about the Institute for Innovation and Creativity – Ms. Peggy Pelonis and Mr. Steve Medeiros

(iii)          Four articles about ACS Athens in general – Mr. John Papadakis and Ms. Anna Velivasaki

(iv)          Four articles (three in English and one in Greek) – Dr. Stefanos Gialamas

(v)          Five articles referring to ACS Athens and Dr. Gialamas’ participation at the inauguration of the 9^th President of the University of Mary Washington

(vi)          BBC radio interview – Mr. John Papadakis

(vii)         SKAI interview regarding scholarships (Ms. Annie Constantinides)

(viii)        SKAI radio interview of Dr. Gialamas at three different times/topics

(ix)         Three articles written and published by Dr. Gialamas

(x)          Kappa Magazine – ACS Athens

U.S. Trip

University of Mary Washington

• Dr. Gialamas delivered a speech at the inauguration of Richard Hurley with great success.  More than 45 delegates from other universities participated in this event, coming from many States at the level of Dean and above and ACS Athens.  This event received great publicity. 

• We further strengthened the collaboration between the two institutions.  As a result, Dr. Kimberly Johnston, Dean of Admissions of Mary Washington University, visited ACS Athens on October 10^th and discussed at length with ACS Athens students and several parents the opportunity of their children attending Mary Washington University, as well as the opportunities for scholarships and other financial support.

• We are developing a program for collaboration between their graduates of the Master Degree in Education (working teachers) so we can recruit experienced and good teachers. 

• ACS Athens is becoming the international school at which UMW students in education could complete their student teaching requirements.

• Worked on finalizing an agreement whereby ACS Athens qualified faculty could teach college level courses at UMW during their summer session.  This would enhance the experience of our faculty and provide eventually our students with faculty who also have the experience of teaching at the university level.

 

George Washington University

• Met with the Dean of the Columbia School of Arts and Science, Dr. Peg Barratt and the Associate Dean responsible for undergraduate studies, Dr. Daniel Ullman.

• Submitted a Memorandum of Understanding for college credit for ACS Athens students taking qualified courses (IB, AP and authentic courses).

• ACS Athens qualified faculty being able to teach during the summer months at George Washington University.

• George Washington University education graduate students (working teachers) being recruited for ACS Athens.

• Developing a program similar to that with Mary Washington University for student teaching.

Recruiting

We have registered with ISS (International School Services) for recruiting faculty for the next school year.  The recruitment fair will take place in Boston, Massachusetts in February of 2012. 

The recruiting fair is for five days and approximately 1,200 candidates participate annually.

Finding “best fit” Schools for our Student Athletes

Ms. Constantinides recently visited several U.S. universities promoting our student athletes and finding opportunities in all sports and in particular basketball, soccer, tennis, track & field, and cross country.   Ms. Constantinides’ detailed report is attached.

Talented Students Program

The evolution of the high performing students program resulted in the Talented Student Program.  This comprehensive program identifies talented students who are exhibiting academic qualities, emotional intelligence and other special talents.  Students, in addition to grades, IQ tests, etc., will be interviewed by mentors to share the special talents they have.

Mentors are faculty, staff and administrators who apply for such a position and a matching process has been developed appropriately assigning a mentor to one or more students.

SCIS Tournament

This past weekend ACS Athens hosted the SCIS Middle School and High School Cross Country Championships; a total of 101 runners participated over a period of two days in two different races that took place in Syngrou Park (Marousi) and the Antoni Tritsi Park (Ilion).  Athletes joined us from the American International School of Vienna, American International School of Budapest, Munich International School, Zurich International School and the Bavarian International School.  AIS Vienna was the overall champion, while our High School Boys team finished second in their category.

Great performances by our student athletes!

As always, our ACS Athens community provided great support for this event, housing a total of 77 athletes.

NESA Awards

Dr. Bea Cameron, Regional Educational Officer, Office of Overseas Schools, honored the three ACS Athens students who won first place at the NESA Virtual Science Fair last spring by personally giving each student their individual award.

Mr. Pascal Apostolides, member of the Board of Trustees, received the trophies on behalf of the students and ACS Athens at the NESA Conference.

Three New Initiatives for Faculty

The ACS Athens faculty was asked to volunteer to participate in the following three new initiatives:

iPad Initiative

This pilot program called for six faculty volunteers (three from the Academy [preferably one from each Division], one from the Middle School and two from the Elementary School [Grades JK-2 and 3-5) to pilot the iPad initiative.  We will provide the six faculty members with an iPad for their use to research how this tool can be used to enhance student learning.  These six faculty members will then pilot this program in the next academic year by incorporating the use of the iPad in their classroom to enhance teaching strategies.

Honors Code Initiative

This initiative called for three faculty volunteers (one each from Academy/Middle School/Elementary School) to form the faculty task force that will work on the Honors Code initiative as was outlined in my presentation.  This task force will be working with Student Services to:

a)     share the concept;

b)    solicit ideas from students, faculty and administration;

c)     draft a proposal for the Honors Code.

eBook Initiative

This pilot program called for six faculty volunteers (three from the Academy [preferably one from each Division], one from the Middle School and two from the Elementary School [Grades JK-2 and 3-5])to explore appropriate eBooks for their subject areas (preferably interactive eBooks) that will be used in a pilot program next year. 

A budgeted amount is in place to allow each of the six faculty members who will spearhead this initiative to purchase two eBooks each in their subject area. 

ACS Athens is Hosting the ECIS – Early Childhood Conference

The ACS Athens website now has all the information uploaded regarding the ECIS Early Childhood Conference scheduled to take place in March of 2012. 

More than 500 educators will register for this conference.  Our site allows for on-line registration to this conference, as well as the program, hotels, etc., which gives great exposure to ACS Athens. 

Also, all ACS Athens faculty can participate in this conference free of charge.

National Honor Society

Sixteen seniors and eleven juniors were inducted to the National Honor Society earlier today.  A total of 27 seniors (approximately 25% of the class of 90 students) and 14 juniors are now members of NHS. 

Students must be at ACS Athens at least two years before they can be inducted into the National Honor Society. 

Student Council and Honor Code

Members of the Student Council, Dr. Gialamas and Ms. Pelonis, had the first meeting regarding the new initiative to develop and establish an Honor Code at ACS Athens. 

This is a student driven initiative with the support of the Board of Trustees, administration, faculty and staff. 

The plan is that by June, 2012 the framework will be ready.  During the 2012-2013 academic year, the Honor Code will be piloted and in 2013-2014 it will be in place.

ACS Athens 2011-2015 Presentation

Mr. Constantine Stergides, Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Dr. Stefanos Gialamas, President of ACS Athens presented the ACS Athens 2011-2015 Vision to the community on October 19, 2011.  The presentation was live streamed and is currently available on our website, together with the PowerPoint Presentation.