History

In the spring of 2016, the ACS Athens campus was buzzing with an unmistakable sense of energy and purpose. On April 21 and 22, educators, researchers, and innovators from Greece and abroad gathered in Halandri for a two-day event that would capture the spirit of the school’s endeavor: “Sustaining Excellence.”

The colloquium wasn’t just another conference. It was the culmination of a two-year journey of discovery that involved every member of the ACS Athens faculty. Under the guidance of the Middle States Association (MSA-CESS) and its groundbreaking Sustaining Excellence accreditation protocol, more than 200 teachers turned their classrooms into living laboratories—exploring how inquiry, reflection, and creativity could elevate student learning.

ACS Athens was one of only seven schools worldwide selected to pioneer this model, and the 2016 Colloquium became its showcase: a vibrant exchange of ideas where research met practice, and passion met purpose. Hallways turned into poster galleries. Classrooms became spaces of dialogue and demonstration. Faculty shared their findings on curriculum innovation, blended learning, and leadership, while visitors joined in conversations about how education can evolve to meet the needs of 21st-century learners.

As Dr. Peggy Pelonis, then Dean of Student Affairs, reflected, the event offered “a wealth of ideas and best practices”—but more importantly, it celebrated the people behind them. Teachers shared their challenges as well as their triumphs. Students demonstrated projects born from collaboration and curiosity. The atmosphere was open, warm, and deeply human—a true reflection of the ACS Athens community.

Sessions explored a range of forward-thinking topics: the school’s pioneering i²Flex blended learning model; new approaches to conceptual mathematics; creative tools for language learning; and student-led initiatives that connected academics to global citizenship. Each presentation invited others to see how reflection and innovation could coexist in everyday teaching.

The legacy of those two days continues to shape ACS Athens today. The research presented at the colloquium inspired the publication Revolutionizing K-12 Blended Learning through the i²Flex Classroom Model (June 2016), authored by 27 members of the faculty. More than that, it reaffirmed the school’s belief that excellence is not a destination but an ongoing process—a shared journey of growth, collaboration, and imagination.

The 2016 Sustaining Excellence Colloquium remains a defining moment in the school’s history. It brought together educators from around the world, strengthened ACS Athens’ partnership with MSA-CESS, and showcased what is possible when a community learns—and dreams—together.