The Admission Office will be closed from July 26, 2010 till August 15th, 2010 for summer vacation 

The American Community School at Beirut enrolls students without regard to race, creed, gender, national origin, or religious belief. Applicants are evaluated on the basis of their academic abilities and their willingness to participate fully in the School's programs. In accordance with its mission, ACS seeks a diverse student body with an international composition. Admission practices reflect the School's desire, as an international school, to serve all its constituencies fairly.

Recommended age requirements for students are as follows:

And so on, through Grade 12.

In exceptional circumstances a student may be placed in a grade higher than chronological age indicates, if adequate documentation is provided to justify the placement.

English language skills: English is the language of instruction throughout the school, and students must be able to function at an appropriate level in English for the academic work that is required of them. ESL is provided for those students who need some minimal support in their adjustment to working in the English language, but who are able to follow the program at an acceptable level. In special situations, and in the lower grades, beginning ESL students may be admitted. Students with significant ESL needs are generally not admitted to the Upper School.

Special Needs: ACS does not have a separate program for students with significant learning difficulties, and is therefore not able to accept such students. Students with mild learning difficulties may receive support, but must be capable of success in the regular program. In such cases, the School counseling staff will be consulted and may administer additional testing.

Requirements for Admission:

• The completed Application Form signed by the parent or legal guardian
• An entrance examination given at ACS. Students applying from abroad must submit current SSAT, ASAT or other American standardized test scores whenever applicable. Early Years candidates are invited to come to school with their parents for an interview.
• Official transcripts from the last three years, including the current academic year, for candidates applying to enter grades 2-12. Applicants for Early Years-grade 1 should submit school progress reports as appropriate.
• A personal family interview at ACS and/or a recommendation from a school counselor or principal.
• Four passport photos (one attached to the application)
• One photocopy of a valid passport or a Lebanese ID card / Birth Certificate for Early Years Candidates
• Completed medical history form, signed by a doctor
• A non-refundable application fee of LL. 75,000 or $ 50

Admission Procedures

For all prospective students:

Decisions regarding the admission of students are made by an Admission Committee which includes the Dean of Admission, the appropriate School Principal, members of the Student Services Team (SST) as needed, and when advisable, the Head of School who has final authority in admission matters.

Beginning in February (and continuing on a rolling basis until classes are full) applications for the following year are accepted for consideration. Application forms are available in the Admission Office. Entrance examinations are scheduled according to the calendar below. Early Years interviews are scheduled individually by the Admission Office.

Applicants from Lebanese Schools must complete the application requirements by June 1.

Students coming from Lebanese schools must provide an official document from their previous school, certified by the Ministry of Education, attesting to their successful completion of the previous academic year. In addition, those applying for the American or International Baccalaureate programs must have an official document of permission from the Ministry of Education.

Students must either sit for the ACS entrance examination battery or if applying from abroad must submit current ASAT, SSAT, or other American Achievement test scores along with a writing sample. Performance on such tests should be at or above the current school average with a passing grade on the writing sample.

For students applying from overseas:

Applications are considered on a rolling basis, depending on the availability of space. If current year standardized test results are not available, families will be advised as to how the admission test requirement will be fulfilled. Families who arrive late in the year are treated individually as to their needs and ACS's ability to serve them.

Students applying from outside of Lebanon, regardless of nationality, must bring with them copies of school transcripts from the last three years that have been certified by the Lebanese embassy or consulate in the country they are leaving. This is required by the Ministry of Education and will allow students to complete the process of official registration at ACS.