The American College of Sofia is a language profile high school with admission after 7th grade.
ACS is accredited in Bulgaria by the Bulgarian Ministry of Education, the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools in the United States, and the International Baccalaureate Organization as an IB World School.
We are one of the oldest American educational institutions outside the United States. In 2010 ACS celebrated its 150th anniversary.
Our student body consists of about 700 students of whom 3% are international.
ACS provides a rigorous university preparatory education to motivated young people.
Courses are taught in English with the exception of Bulgarian and foreign language classes.
We offer a choice of different areas of academic concentration, also known as profiles. All ACS students take English as their first profile and mathematics as their second profile. Choices for the third profile include chemistry, physics, humanities, and computer programming.
We have a team of 76 highly qualified professionals, 25% of whom are internationals primarily coming from the Unites States, Great Britain, and Canada.
HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION
“ACS is one of the main shaping forces in my life. It inspired me to embrace my love for studying and it opened my eyes to all the opportunities that were available in the world. I sincerely hope that my daughter is lucky enough to have the same educational opportunities as I have had, and going to a high school the caliber of ACS would be a large part of it. When I entered ACS, it was the first time in my life that I actually had to sit down and study a lot. I was also juggling a lot of choir rehearsals so I quickly learned to be very organized and very efficient in everything I did. That’s a skill that has helped me over and over and still helps me now when I have to split my time between my one-year old daughter Anna, lab work, music activities and my friends. ”
Polina Kehayova, Class of 1997, went to Swarthmore College and Harvard University, working in the area of molecular neurobiology at Harvard University
Selectivity at entry: we admit students only after a successful completion of an ACS admissions exam.
Our students receive a rigorous academic training, which combines acquiring and applying knowledge.
The college offers a well-developed extra-curricular program, assisting students in building their academic skills and becoming well-rounded individuals.
The rigorous academic standards at the college are fostered by the fine combination of Bulgarian and international faculty, professionals with long experience and diverse educational practices.
The interactive methods of progressive education are at the core of our curriculum.
ACS graduates are critical thinkers and problem solvers able to set clear goals and achieve them. They are engaged in social issues and are able to compete with outstanding students world-wide.
"My years at ACS have been some of the happiest in my life so far. I made many friends and we had lots of fun back then. At Middlebury, I noticed pretty quickly how much easier it was for us ACSers, compared with other international students, to get used to US college rules and discipline. At the same time, we had no language barriers and no problems with the overall workload. This was mostly thanks to ACS, even if it didn’t always feel so enthusiastic while we were still students there and plotting our rebellions.”
Dimiter Kenarov, Class of 1999, went to Middlebury College and University of California, Berkeley, a poet and a free-lance journalist published in The Nation, Boston Review, and VQR (The Virginia Quarterly Review)
INDIVIDUAL ATTENTIONFOR EVERY STUDENT
At the College students will be:
in the center of the learning process
in small classes – average classroom size is 17
a part of our special advisory system that ensures students get guidance and support by trusted adults outside their classes.
At ACS students will get support and may attend:
programs for students with specific interests in particular areas (sports program, performing arts program, school newspaper, school literary magazine, mathematical team, physics team, etc.);
programs for continuous work with students who excel in different areas and have distinguished themselves at competitions;
the special consultation periods, built in the daily schedule
At the College parents will have the opportunity to:
maintain constant communication with teachers and administration through our electronic portal and memo system;
PERSONAL CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
"At a glance the American College impresses visitors with a fine combination of historic architecture and lovely greenery. We, the students, are captured not only by the school’s beautiful appearance, but much more so by its warm attitude, understanding, and support. With united efforts, teachers and staff help us grow, encourage our individuality, and support us in finding our talents and calling.”
Konstantina Stefanova, student of the Class of 2012
We encourage students to think outside the box, develop critical thinking skills, learn how to construct logical arguments, and voice their opinion in a respectful manner.
We stimulate perseverance in achieving one’s goals.
We promote respect for the community in which you live and study.
We emphasize the value of academic honesty by teaching you to take responsibility and make sound decisions.
"I am so happy to meet you all again. Last year, ACS students staged with the seriousness of real actors one of my plays - „In His Own Image”. Their performance really moved me, because thanks to it I met students with such wide-ranging interests. From the bottom of my heart, I wish you that everything you do in your lives be marked with your talent and sincerety.”
Yordan Radichkov at the graduation ceremony of the Class of 2000
"ACS is the place where, so far, the best five years of my life have passed. I must admit that it is among the top contributors, after my parents, to my development as a person, and I can frankly say that I have grown into myself here. There have been numerous moments of joy and gloom throughout my studentship at the challenging ACS. Overcoming the challenges put forth, though, is an indescribable achievement. I hope every current and future ACS student will experience such accomplishment and follow their dreams. ”
Sevgin Bedri, student from the Class of 2012
Develop and benefit from an academic environment, combining the rich traditions of Bulgarian education and the clear requirements and values of modern- day American educational practices.
Interact with teachers of different backgrounds and academic experiences.
Study with international students, representing different cultures and traditions.
Study with students from different Bulgarian towns – 10% of ACS students come from 31 towns around Bulgaria.
Operate in an environment where English is the language of instruction.
Learn other foreign languages, those being taught in the respective language.
Have a chance to participate in international school exchange programs, international competitions, and forums.
Thrive in a tolerant environment, respectful of different cultures, identities, opinions, and beliefs.
“I certainly find my subject of English literature exciting, but at the American College of Sofia, I am thrilled to work with students who are equally excited to engage in meaningful discussions and critical thought on provocative literary texts. At ACS, students enter my class eager to tell me about what last night’s reading made them consider, how it connects to a book they are reading independently or to what they have experienced in their own lives. Beyond being responsible and intelligent, my students here demonstrate a love of learning, and it is this quality that makes me excited to work as hard as they do, and learn from them as they learn from me.”
Amanda Crocker, English Language and Literature teacher
“Thะต American College of Sofia became famous not only because of academic excellence, but also due to the extracurricular activities. This was, and still is, a great strength of the College. Back in the days, there were numerous student-initiated interesting clubs. They all played a big part in creating the atmosphere of the College and in building the personality of the students. We got used to relying on ourselves, not on our parents. We had the chance to develop on our own.”
Petko Bocharov, Class of 1939, Bulgarian translator and journalist
Girls and boys sports teams (volleyball, soccer, basketball, tennis, and table tennis);
Numerous clubs including Balkan Dance, Latin American Dance, Hiking, Ecology, Psychology, Debate, Photography, Cooking, Guitar, Arts, Chess, Programming, and Science;
We Care Club, Adopt a Trail Club, Animal Protection Club, Model United Nations Club, Friends of UNICEF Club, Interact Club, Publishing Amateur Writers Club, Mock Trial Club;
Performing Arts Program, Instrumental Studio, ACS Choir, Modern Dance Club, The Fountain literary magazine, College Life student newspaper, and many more.
“Now this is what a high-school should look like!”
Galina Mladenova, parent of a student from the Class of 2005
a beautiful park-like campus with classical buildings
a large library of 15,000 volumes and computers with access to a number of online encyclopedias
four computer labs and three science labs
fully equipped, 435-seat theatre and a 180-seat concert hall
dormitory for students outside of Sofia
multimedia in the classrooms, facilitating interactive education
full size multi-purpose gymnasium
indoor and outdoor sports facilities (including a rock climbing wall, dance studio, fitness center, outdoor basketball courts, tennis court and playing fields)
an environment fostering safety and promoting a healthy lifestyle
We believe that every Bulgarian student that has successfully passed our admissions exam must have the opportunity to study at ACS. If you are accepted, but your parents can’t afford the tuition fee, you can study at ACS, thanks to our tuition fee reduction program. Here are some facts and figures about it:
- 40 % of ACS current students receive tuition fee reduction
- Subsidy size varies from 10 to 90%
- We also offer annually 3 full scholarships covering the cost of the entire course of study
What is covered by the tuition fee? All school and extracurricular activities, school materials, college counseling, as well as the full access to all school facilities.
“Had I not gone to ACS, I would have never gone to Harvard for my undergraduate degree – an academic, personal, and professional experience that clearly has marked all of my experiences thereafter. Had I not gone to ACS, I would never have formed the lasting friendships and professional relationships I currently cherish and put to good use in my everyday work. Had I not gone to ACS, I probably would have never been able to effectively identify and attract motivated and socially responsible young volunteers for the non-profit initiatives I got involved in afterwards (indeed, ACS students are still among the best volunteers you can find around!). Had I not gone to ACS, I wouldn’t currently be in a position to appreciate the importance of great teachers and great schools in one’s life and to lead Teach For Bulgaria with such confidence and belief in our mission.”
An average of 97% of ACS graduates apply to universities abroad.
ACS graduates attend the best universities in the world. Representatives of the Classes of 2008-2011 currently study at Princeton University, University of Cambridge, Yale University, University of Oxford, Brown University, Cornell University, London School of Economics, Dartmouth University, Tufts University, Vassar College, and others.
Graduating students that choose to continue their education in the USA receive scholarships that cover a substantial part of their tuition fee for the full course of their education.
ACS graduates are now successful professionals in Bulgaria and around the world.
Download the ACS brochure here.