preparing global citizens, serving humanity

Presentation by: Stefanos Gialamas, Ph.D., President

Preparing Global Citizens, Serving Humanity

2011-15

The reality today is that we are all interdependent and have to co-exist on this small planet

H.H. Dalai Lama

Continued Growth2005-11: Seven years

continuous enrollment growth with quality and integrity

Currently: 865 Registered Students JK-12

Student to full-time teacher ratio: 9.5

ACS Athens Today: Enrollment


ACS Athens Today: College placement


• 100% graduation rate• 100% College Admission to

over 120 Colleges & Universities

• 98% Placement in 1st & 2nd Choices

ACS Athens Athletic Scholarships12 students currently receive

full tuition scholarship from the Suheil & Samir Sabbagh family.

ACS Athens Financial Aid ProgramOver 50,000 Euros are

allocated annually from the budget for qualified students

ACS Athens Today: Scholarships & Financial Aid


ACS Athens Today: The Story of ACS Athens


ACS Athens Today: Student Accomplishments


Enhancing Teaching & Learning through Technology4 Computer Labs60 Interactive Boards in classroomsMoodle® Interactive Learning EnvironmentNetworked campus – Fully upgraded 2 years agoFiber optic network at 10GB intranet speed serving a 10MB

internet connectionMultiple hot spots – wireless access points that cover most of the

campusOver 250 station computers for classroom and student use, over

50 laptops for faculty/administrative useMore than 60 interactive boards in classrooms, funded mostly

through PTO fundraising initiativesOver 1,600 educational DVD titles

ACS Athens Today: Technology


Providing a Holistic

MeaningfulHarmonious

Educational ExperienceTo ALL students

ACS Athens 2011-15


The Future Educational Institutions

The great educational institutions of the future will not be more of the same as defined today.

There will be the ones which will be effective in the midst of all drastic changes in society and the need for new type of knowledge and most important wisdom (which is the ability to utilize knowledge to construct creative solutions to societal challenges)

ACS Athens 2011-15


ACS Athens will award 4 different diplomas:

ACS Athens Honors Diploma ACS Athens Diploma Advanced Placement

Diploma (AP Diploma)

International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB Diploma)

ACS Athens 2011-15:: Academics


ACS Athens Honors Diploma

Appropriate Honors designated courses (required).

A Research Project. Students complete a comprehensive

research project (a research article, mini-thesis, documentary, art piece, etc…)

Social Commitment Program. Students will be required to devote a

certain amount of time to serve the community,



ACS Athens Diploma

Required coursesA Senior Project

Students complete an “expository” project (expository essay or article or project).

Social Commitment ProgramStudents will be required to

devote a certain amount of time to serve the community



Academy AP Diploma

Students must complete required AP courses. A Research Project Social Commitment Program

IB Diploma Students must complete require IB courses An Extended Essay Accumulate CAS hours (Creativity, Action,

Service)



Middle School Honors courses will be introduced by 2013-2014 Hybrid courses will be introduced in 2012-2013

“Junior Project” All 8th grade students will complete a “Junior Project”

Social Engagement Program All students will be engaged in at least one program

serving community



Elementary School All students graduating for

ES will complete the “ES project”

Cultivating Social Interest All students will be serving

the community by participation in activities



Academy: Social Commitment

The betterment of a situation or the improvement of a person’s life becomes a way of life for students as they develop a positive mindset towards improving as many aspects of society as possible

ACS Athens 2011-15:: Social Commitment Program


Middle School: Social Engagement

The ability to put interest into practice. Becoming aware of a social condition is the first step; developing an interest towards improving the social condition is the second; and finding ways to engage in bettering the condition is a step further towards taking responsibility for part of the solution.



Elementary School: Social Interest

Social Interest is innate and is an aptitude which deems one responsive to social situations (Adler, 1981). Social Interest may include interest beyond people (animals, environment, entire universe). Social Interest is an extension of one’s self into the community.



“Standards Based” curriculumThe science and mathematics curriculum will be

reviewed using the “Vertical Curriculum Design” approach in relationship to the current and future competencies needs to be successful in college and life. Will begin with Academy and move to Middle and Elementary School.

AP® Courses offeringsIB® CoursesAuthentic® ACS Athens CoursesCollege Level Courses offered by collaborating

Universities

ACS Athens 2011-15:: Curriculum


Delivery Modalities Regular Face- to-Face Courses

A combination when it is appropriate, 80-minute classes or 40-minute. i-Flex (Hybrid Courses)

A combination of face-to-face teaching and learning and online teaching and learning.

2/3 face-to-face 1/3 online

Online Courses Totally online teaching and learning. Students who are interested to

graduate early or students who need an extra course to move up level of course.

College Level Courses College level courses taken face-to-face, hybrid or online in

collaboration with colleges and universities in Greek and USA.

ACS Athens 2011-15:: Curriculum


Faculty LeaderA Faculty Leader acts always:on behalf of its students, builds trust, provides them with the most fulfilling, and challenging Holistic Meaningful and Harmonious educational experience.

All of his/her decisions are guided by the underlined principle of Innovation together with continuous learning that enhances the educational experience of every student.

ACS Athens 2011-15:: Faculty


Continuous recruiting faculty from USA and other countries76% of current faculty hold MA/MSc – Goal: over 90%10% of current faculty hold Doctoral Degrees – Goal: over 20%Faculty development will be the cornerstone of innovation.

ACS Athens 2011-15:: Faculty


100% classrooms with Interactive Boards

6 New Science LaboratoriesScience and Mathematics e-books for

Academy and Middle School

ACS Athens 2011-15:: Educational Tools/Technology


Incoming students with personal laptops or iPads®2012-2013 Pilot Program for selected grades2013-2014 All Academy students2014-2015 All Middle School students

New Media Production Lab facility for video/radio

Collective Investment of €120,000 for new books/ebooks

ACS Athens 2011-15:: Educational Tools/Technology


Develop up to 8 additional University-level courses in the following areas:

Sciences/MathematicsArtLeadershipEnglish/Humanities

ACS Athens 2011-15:: Institute for Innovation & Creativity


New Initiatives in:

Radio Programs/PodcastsFilm/Video ProductionDocumentary ProductionArticles/PapersBooks



The New Initiatives: Expand our collaboration areas with Higher Education

Initiate and expand areas of new collaboration with Universities

Stage one:George Washington UniversityGeorgetown UniversityUniversity of Mary WashingtonClemson UniversityUniversity of Virginia



Talented Student ProgramOptimal Learning ProgramCareer Education ProgramIn-Campus Student Community Service

Program:RecyclingCampus BeautificationPeer-to-Peer Assistance

College Placement ProgramDigital Student PortfolioAttracting more university visits to ACS Athens

ACS Athens 2011-15:: Student Services


New realities in College application guidanceAcademic Qualifications

Profile of each student (grades, SAT, IB predictions, etc)

Financial AbilityMerit Scholarships, financial aid, parents’ financials

University EnvironmentSize of institution: Large, middle, smallUrban/Suburban/Rural campusRegionPublic/Private

ACS Athens 2011-15:: Student Services


Interscholastic SportsIncreasing Competitiveness and Excellence of teamsExpand competitive opportunities

After-School ProgramsIncrease variety of offerings

Summer CampAthletic Academies (after school)Guidance in exploring opportunities for university

athletic scholarships

ACS Athens 2011-15:: Athletic Programs


Fully Online Admission Process:

Online Inquiry response (in place)

Online Application process(in place)

Online Admission/Placement Testing & Assessment

ACS Athens 2011-15:: Admissions


Efficient and Effective Operations

Fully Electronic Operations & Functions

Continuously recruiting, training and developing U.S. based faculty

ACS Athens 2011-15:: Operations/HR


Preparing Global Citizens,Serving Humanity

ACS Athens 2011-15

Students at ACS Athens have a right to a community that is conducive to academic success, personal growth and development.

This can be achieved by providing

expectations for appropriate and responsible behavior (Honors Code) and by having the mechanism to implement these standards.

ACS Athens maintains a balance between the

right of an individual community member and the right of the community as a whole

ACS Athens 2011-15:: The Honors Code


ACSHonors Code

Code of Conduct

Ethics and Maturity in the classroom and on campus

High standards for classroom and campus conduct



ACSHonors Code

Code of ConductMaturity Outside Classroom

Establish and maintain clear standards for campus or ACS Athens official sponsored events outside campus;

Conduct and respect fellow students, faculty, staff, the environment and property.

Maturity in Classroom Establish and maintain clear academic

standards for student Establish and maintain clear standards for

classroom conduct and etiquette; Model high standards in teaching and

learning and interaction between teachers and students.



ACSHonors Code

Judicial Review BoardThe Judicial Review Board will

be responsible for implementing the Honors Code

The entire Judicial Review Board will be comprised OF STUDENTS with three faculty advisors



ACSHonors Code

Preparing Global Citizens,Serving Humanity

ACS Athens 2011-15

preparing global citizens, serving humanity

Documents