Meet our Head of School

In 1905, a handful of faculty members of the American University of Beirut came together to establish a school for their children. What began in tiny rented rooms in Hamra has, over the course of the last 120 years, become a leading Pre-K through 12 school in Lebanon. Today we are a school of 950 students representing not only the diversity of Lebanon but that of over 30 nations.

The most important thing that I have learned in my 35 years as an educator is that there is no substitute for a constructive, supportive student/teacher relationship. It is the cornerstone of any great school. At the dawn of the “AI Era”, ACS recognizes the importance of inculcating in our students the knowledge, skills, values, and mindset that are uniquely and powerfully human. Our relatively small size allows us to have intimate classroom settings, seminar-style Harkness learning in Middle and High School, and plenty of one-on-one time with students. The result is genuinely curious and confident learners with a healthy dose of intellectual skepticism and resilience.

Aside from providing rigorous preparation for university, we also work hard to inculcate our core values of integrity, compassion, and open-mindedness in our students. We encourage students to take ownership of their educational journey and we empower them to become leaders in creating a better school and a better world. I’m immensely proud of our many student-initiated and student-run organizations that enrich the ACS experience and provide vital aid to local populations in need. Visit our Community Service page to see our tireless students in action!

Much has changed since 1905, yet the heart of our school, as its name suggests, remains its strong sense of community. Students, faculty, staff, and, of course, our parents, are proud to continue this tradition. I invite you to browse our website and to learn for yourself how special the ACS community truly is.

Sincerely,

Thomas Cangiano
Head of School