doris
doris
Find Schools
Events
Saved schools
My account
Parent Guide Parent testimonials Community Transparency Charter About For Schools
Currency
T

The American College of Sofia

Bulgaria, Sofia

Save school
Share
Navigate

· Reviewed by · Co-founder & CEO

Independently researched by doris.
Not yet claimed by the school
Claim your profile
The school at a glance
Instructs in English, Bulgarian
Fees €10,040 - 28,600
Ages 13 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 954
Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 1860
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum American Curriculum, IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum
Taught languages English, Bulgarian, French, German, Spanish
Typical class size 19
Strengths STEM, Performing Arts, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Leadership and Professional
Stages Secondary School, High School, Sixth Form
Introduction

The American College of Sofia is a preparatory school offering American, Bulgarian Diploma, and IB pathways. English is language of instruction for ages 13–18. In grades 9–10 Bulgarian and international students share the ACS framework; grades 11–12 Bulgarian students pursue the Bulgarian Diploma Programme with advanced profiles, while international students enter the IB Diploma Programme. International students completing ACS coursework and the CAS portfolio can earn the American High School Diploma alongside the IB. The IB Diploma Programme has been offered since 2005. Bulgarian Diploma Profiles cover Humanities, Foreign Languages, Mathematics and Physics, Software & Hardware, Natural Sciences, and Entrepreneurship, with advanced courses and a 75-hour CAS portfolio requirement. The campus includes seven academic buildings, 62 classrooms, four computer labs, three science labs, Gipson Library, Jim Clayton Writing Center, a 380-seat theater, and an 180-seat concert hall. There are over 120 clubs, including Robotics, 3D Printing, and TEDxYouth@ACSofia.

g.k. Mladost 2Mladost, Floyd Blyak, 1799 Sofia, Bulgaria

The Essentials

The American College of Sofia has 954 pupils, typical class sizes of 19, instruction in English, Bulgarian.

Location
The American College of Sofia is in Sofia, Bulgaria, at Floyd Black Lane, Mladost 2, 1799. The campus is located in the Mladost district and is accessible by public transport. By bus, take #76 or #111 with a transfer if needed, and follow local landmarks such as the HIT store and the yellow gate at the end of the street to reach ACS. The campus is near the MVR Police Academy Simeonovo area as a reference point.

Stages
Grades 9–12. All students pursue the USA High School Diploma Programme (Grades 9–12). Bulgarian students in Grades 11–12 enter the Bulgarian Diploma Programme (academic stream) with profiles such as Humanities, Foreign Languages, Mathematics & Physics, Software & Hardware Sciences, Natural Sciences, or Entrepreneurship. International students participate in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.

Type
Private, coeducational, language high school. The college is described as a private, language-based American-style preparatory school offering American and Bulgarian/IB diplomas.

Pupil Nationality Mix
Bulgarian students make up about 96% of the student body, with international students comprising about 4%.

Additional learning support
Student Support Team provides counseling and programs for social-emotional development and mental health. Services include Confidential Individual Counseling, Group Counseling, Academic Support Groups, Health Courses, and mentorship for clubs and events; the team collaborates with faculty and families.

Country affiliation
Affiliated with the United States as the oldest American educational institution outside the USA.

Bus service
Public transit serves the campus area. Bus routes include #76 (to Mladost) and #111; a subway connection can be used with a transfer to reach ACS. Directions note landmarks and a gate at the end of the street for campus entry.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
Perske House Dormitory is on campus and can accommodate 28 students in four double bedrooms, four rooms with three beds, and two rooms with four beds. Two dormitory supervisors oversee operations, and the facility includes laundry, luggage storage, ski equipment storage, a computer room, and a lounge with a TV, refrigerator, and microwave. The dormitory fee covers three meals a day at the school cafeteria on weekdays, as well as internet access and room cleaning.

Food Options
The America for Bulgaria Campus Center houses the Cafeteria and kitchen facilities and the campus cafe. A 2019-2020 ACS brochure notes the cafeteria serves fresh and warm options, including vegetarian choices. The dormitory fee covers three meals a day at the cafeteria on weekdays.

Governance and Ownership
ACS is governed by a Board of Trustees. It is operated as Sofia American Schools, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation chartered in Massachusetts since 1926.
Fees

Annual tuition at The American College of Sofia ranges from EUR 10,040 to EUR 28,600 for 2026/27.

Application fees

- ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam) registration: USD 160, payable by credit card directly to the Educational Records Bureau (ERB).
- Historic/legacy application fee noted in ACS application materials for international applicants: EUR 350 (appears on ACS published application requirements document).

Tuition fees (annual amounts by student category)

- Bulgarian students (standard Bulgarian-student rate): EUR 10,040 per academic year (BGN 19,636.54).
- International students (International Student Program): EUR 21,700 per academic year (BGN 42,441.52).
- Bulgarian students transferring from international schools: charged at the International Student rate (EUR 21,700 per academic year).

Per-term detail

- The published figures are stated as annual tuition rates (see amounts above). A per-term (semester/term) breakdown is not published alongside those annual rates in the College's tuition materials; families should expect the headline amounts to represent the total tuition for the full academic year.

Boarding / dormitory fees

- Dormitory fee for Bulgarian citizens (2025/2026 academic year): EUR 6,100 per year.
- Dormitory fee for international students (2025/2026 academic year): EUR 6,900 per year.
- The dormitory fee covers three weekday meals in the school cafeteria, internet, laundry, room cleaning, and related residential services.

Other costs and fees (what is included / excluded)

- The annual tuition covers instruction, academic and extracurricular activities, study materials (including a personal Chromebook), and access to school laboratories, libraries, sports facilities, and college-counseling services.
- The following are not included in the listed tuition and are charged separately where applicable: meals for day students, transportation, school trips and excursions, certain school supplies, and IB exam fees.
- Elective clubs and extracurricular participation are stated as having no separate participation fee.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Annual tuition is published as the total yearly charge by student category. Specific public-facing materials do not publish a detailed per-term invoice schedule or payment-due dates alongside the headline annual amounts; billing and enrollment paperwork (distributed after admission) define exact payment deadlines and any installment arrangements.
- The College allows tuition to be invoiced and paid by a juridical person (legal entity) when parents request this arrangement; such arrangements require an additional trilateral agreement among parents, the College, and the paying company.

Refund information

- Publicly available admissions and tuition materials do not publish a detailed general tuition-refund or standardized withdrawal-refund schedule alongside the headline tuition figures; families complete enrollment paperwork and any applicable admission/enrollment agreements that set out specific refund or cancellation terms.

Fee payment options

- ISEE registration is paid by credit card to ERB (the test administrator).
- The College can invoice a legal entity for tuition (see above); invoicing implies accepted electronic or bank payment methods for third-party payers under the trilateral arrangement, with specific payment instructions provided on the invoice or enrollment agreement.

Practical notes for parents (concise)

- Headline annual tuition: Bulgarian students EUR 10,040; International students EUR 21,700.
- Boarding (dorm) is an additional annual charge: EUR 6,100 (Bulgarian citizens) or EUR 6,900 (international students) for the 2025/2026 figures published by the College.
- The ISEE test registration fee (required for admissions testing) is USD 160, charged by ERB and payable by credit card.

Brief note on scope and missing public details

- The College's public tuition materials state annual tuition and dormitory amounts and describe what the tuition covers and excludes, and they confirm the ISEE registration charge; those materials do not publish a public per-term fee breakdown, a standard public billing-calendar with installment due dates, or a standard public refund table alongside the headline rates. For precise invoice dates, installment options, payment methods (bank details, card acceptance for tuition), and formal refund terms, families receive and sign the College's enrollment documents and invoices after admission.
Academics

The American College of Sofia teaches American Curriculum, IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum for students aged 13 to 18.

Curriculum
English is the primary language of instruction. Grades 9–10 Bulgarian and international students follow almost the same ACS curriculum. In Grades 11–12 Bulgarian students pursue the Bulgarian Diploma Program with advanced profiles, while international students are admitted to the two-year IB Diploma Programme. International students begin the IB Diploma Programme in 11th grade and can earn the American High School Diploma by completing ACS coursework and the CAS portfolio. The IB Diploma Programme has been offered since 2005. Bulgarian Diploma Profiles cover Humanities, Foreign Languages, Mathematics and Physics, Software & Hardware, Natural Sciences, and Entrepreneurship; all profile courses are advanced honors, and every student completes a 75-hour CAS portfolio.

Exam Results
SAT middle 50%: 1310-1470; Highest SAT score: 1580. Scores for SATs were reported for 102 students in the class of 2024, August 2022–October 2023. National Exams (matura) were taken by more than 50% of ACS students (class of 2023). On average, 92% of ACS seniors apply to non-Bulgarian colleges and universities, and typically 100% earn the American Diploma and either the Bulgarian or IB Diploma.

Higher Education Progression
ACS graduates attend universities around the world. On average, 92% of ACS seniors apply to non-Bulgarian colleges and universities. Institutions attended include Brown University, Columbia University, NYU, and University of California campuses, among others. Bulgarian universities such as Medical University of Sofia and Sofia University also enroll ACS graduates.

Gifted and Talented
Bulgarian Diploma Profiles are advanced honors programs with concentrations in Humanities, Foreign Languages, Mathematics & Physics, Software & Hardware, Natural Sciences, and Entrepreneurship. International students on the IB Diploma Programme undertake English A Literature and other higher-level subjects. All students complete a 75-hour CAS portfolio.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The Student Support Team prioritizes student well-being and provides counseling and programs to support social-emotional development and mental health. The team comprises psychologists and social-emotional counselors. Services include confidential individual counseling, group counseling, academic support groups, health courses, and mentorship for clubs and events. They work closely with faculty and families to support students' academic and personal journeys. Contact: studentsupport@acsbg.org.

Mental Wellbeing
Mental health support is provided through confidential counseling, group counseling, and health education. The team includes psychologists and social-emotional counselors. They address adolescent development and mental health needs. They collaborate with families and faculty to support student well-being. For support, contact: studentsupport@acsbg.org.

Safeguarding
The school has a Child Protection Officer as part of the Student Support Team. The Student Support Team includes highly trained professionals, including psychologists and social-emotional counselors. Safeguarding work is conducted in collaboration with faculty and families to protect students. Confidential individual counseling and group counseling are among the safeguarding and wellbeing services. For support, contact: studentsupport@acsbg.org.
Parent Experience

History
Founded in 1860, The American College of Sofia is one of the oldest American educational institutions outside the United States. The College traces its roots to a boys' school opened in Philippopolis by American missionaries for the 1860–61 school year and a girls' school opened three years later in Eski Zagra. The schools were relocated to Samokov in 1871, later merged into Sofia American Schools, Inc., and moved to a new Simeonovo campus in the 1920s. World War II and its aftermath led to the campus's confiscation in 1947, and the campus became the headquarters of the Bulgarian state police. The College reopened in Sofia in 1992, and in 2025–2026 celebrates the 165th anniversary of its founding.

Community
ACS operates on a park-like campus with eight renovated classical buildings on 28 acres, including a 380-seat theater and a 180-seat concert hall, and a 28-bed student dormitory. Campus life includes ACS Clubs, a Student Council, Sports, and a vibrant Performing Arts program that features Bulgarian-language theater and collaborations with Sofia Opera and Ballet. Gipson Library provides extensive resources with about 16,500 volumes and access to online databases.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
ACS has an active Parent Teacher Association (PTA). Parents may participate through the ACS PTA to support student activities and school initiatives. There is also a Parent Ambassador program and an Annual General Meeting as part of parent involvement, per ACS communications and reports. Parents are encouraged to participate in their child's education, including parent–teacher meetings.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The American College of Sofia sits on a multi-building campus with seven academic buildings and 62 classrooms. The campus includes four computer labs and three science labs for STEM teaching. A 380-seat theater and an 180-seat concert hall host performances and assemblies. A 28-bed student dormitory and a large 1,276-square-meter multi-purpose gymnasium anchor indoor life. Outdoor facilities include a tennis court, a basketball court, and playing fields; the America for Bulgaria Campus Center houses Gipson Library, the Cafeteria and kitchen facilities, the campus cafe, spaces for student activities, the Ferren Meeting Room, and the Jim Clayton Writing Center.

Sports Facilities
A spacious 1,276-square-meter multi-purpose gym anchors indoor athletics. Two small sport rooms in the basement of Djerassi Hall are for fitness and gymnastics, and Abbott Hall houses three small sport rooms for fitness, table tennis, and gymnastics. Outdoor facilities include a tennis court, a basketball court, and playing fields. The Bubble hosts ACS Open tournaments on campus.

Academic Facilities
Seven academic buildings offer 62 classrooms. There are four computer labs and three science labs. The Gipson Library occupies about 300 square meters and supports study and research. The Jim Clayton Writing Center provides academic writing support, and the Ferren Meeting Room and other Campus Center facilities support student collaboration.

Extra Curricular Facilities
The American College of Sofia offers a broad range of clubs and activities beyond the classroom. Arabian Culture Club explores cuisine, calligraphy, language and arts of the Arab world. Art Club organizes schoolwide art activities; Chemistry Club conducts science-related projects. Muzeiko Volunteering Club connects students with weekend volunteering at Muzeiko; New Hope Club fosters national pride and charitable events; Photography Club provides creative and technical training.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school offers a broad extracurricular program with over 120 student clubs and activities. FISSION Club organizes an international student‑run science fair. The 3D Printing Club teaches 3D modeling and printing. The Robotics Club participates in the FIRST Robotics Competition, and the TEDxYouth@ACSofia and Fountain Journal Club provide platforms for public speaking, research, and publishing.

Arts & Creative
ACS provides extensive arts and creative activities, including a performing arts program that produces English-language plays and a major dance program linked to Sofia Opera and Ballet. Arts Fest showcases student performances and works. Clubs cover music, visual arts, film, and literary publishing, including Rock Band Club, Photography Club, Video Production Club, The Fountain Journal Club, and Yearbook Club.

Cultural & Language
Model United Nations is active, with ACS hosting MUN conferences and students participating in international MUN events. German language competitions and other language clubs are offered. The New Hope Club fosters national pride and cultural service activities.

Social & Hobbies
The school offers numerous social and hobby clubs such as 3‑in‑1 Club, 3D Printing Club, Adventure Club, Animal Rescue Volunteers Club, New Hope Club, Photography Club, Podcast Club, Psychology Club, Red Cross Bulgarian Youth Club, Robotics Club, Rock Band, Running Club, Science Club, Sports Bridge Club, Swifties Club, Table Tennis Club, Teach For Bulgaria Club, TEDxYouth@ACSofia, Fountain Journal Club, TimeHeroes ACS, and Yearbook Club.

Community & Service
Students participate in community service through clubs such as TimeHeroes ACS and Teach For Bulgaria. TimeHeroes ACS coordinates ACS's volunteer efforts with Bulgaria's largest charity platform.

Leadership & Professional
Leadership opportunities come from Model United Nations participation and club leadership roles; TEDxYouth@ACSofia develops public speaking and project management skills. Debates and entrepreneurship‑oriented activities are supported through dedicated clubs and scholarships.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Sports and fitness are central to life at ACS, with teams in volleyball, football, basketball, and table tennis. Additional activities such as tennis, golf, calisthenics, running, climbing, wrestling, and cheerleading are offered through the clubs program.
Languages

Language Provision
Instruction is in English except for other languages. In grades 9 and 10 all courses are taught in English except Bulgarian and foreign languages. In grades 11-12 Bulgarian language and literature, foreign languages, Bulgarian geography and philosophy (in grade 12) are taught in Bulgarian; other courses are taught in English. International students begin the IB Diploma Programme in grade 11; all students are enrolled in the USA High School Diploma Programme (grades 9-12); ACS is an authorized IB World School and has offered the IB Diploma Programme since 2005.
Reputation

Awards
Innovative School designation by the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science for forward-thinking projects.

Accreditations
Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science accreditation.
Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools accreditation since 2005.
International Baccalaureate Organization certified IB World School since 2004.
Admissions

Admissions
The American College of Sofia is the oldest American educational institution outside the USA. In 2025, it celebrated its 165th anniversary. The College is a language high school with admissions after grade 7, accredited in Bulgaria by the Ministry of Education and Science, and in the USA by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA) and the International Baccalaureate Organization (IB). The College also accepts Bulgarian students who have completed grade 8 in Bulgarian schools within the Republic of Bulgaria, after passing an entrance exam in English. The College welcomes applications from Bulgarian students who have studied at foreign schools (in Bulgaria or abroad) during the previous year, as well as applicants with foreign or dual citizenship. Admissions for these students are year-round and depend on available spots and academic results. We teach all subjects in English, with the exception of Bulgarian Language and Literature and foreign languages. We offer specialized education in mathematics, software & hardware technology, humanities, foreign languages, natural sciences, and entrepreneurship. We work with highly qualified teachers, 35% of whom are foreigners, primarily from the USA, Great Britain, and Canada. 934 students; 31% of faculty are international; 87% of financial aid applications approved. HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION. We admit students based on the academic results of the applicants, only after successfully passing the College's entrance exam. Once accepted, students embark on a challenging academic journey that emphasizes both the acquisition of knowledge and its practical application. In addition to rigorous academics, the College offers a well-rounded extra-curricular program designed to complement students' studies and foster their personal development. This holistic approach helps students build academic skills while also growing into well-rounded individuals. The College's high standards are maintained by a diverse faculty, consisting of both experienced Bulgarian and international professionals, who bring a variety of teaching methods and global perspectives to the classroom. These progressive educational practices, centered on interactive learning, form the foundation of the College curriculum. American College of Sofia graduates are equipped to think critically and solve complex problems. They set clear goals, achieve them, and are socially conscious, ready to compete with top students around the world.

Scholarships
Who Have Successfully Passed the Entrance Exam after Grade 7. The College offers full scholarships for newly admitted students who successfully pass the Grade 7 entrance exam. The scholarships are granted once and cover the full tuition fee for the five years at the American College. All families of Bulgarian students who successfully pass the grade 7 entrance exam and are invited to enroll in the College may apply for the scholarships. The Committee is guided by several criteria when awarding them, with financial need being the most important. CRITERIA FOR AWARDING FULL SCHOLARSHIPS: 1. Approved documents for the tuition fee reduction program. 2. Essay results - essay answer to a question. Candidates will be invited to write the essay at the College. 3. Interview with candidates selected based on essay results. 4. Total score from the entrance exam. FULL SCHOLARSHIPS. The Polansky and Oberbauer Scholarships were established in 2008, and the Gipson Scholarship in 2018. They cover the full tuition fees for students who demonstrate a high academic level throughout their course of study. Polansky Scholarship; Oberbauer Scholarship; Gipson Scholarship; Sts. Cyril and Methodius Scholarship. The Domuschiev Impact Foundation established the Sts. Cyril and Methodius Scholarship, which covers the full tuition fee for five Bulgarian students from the Class of 2030 at the American College of Sofia for the entire five-year period of study. The scholarship is awarded with priority to students with a single parent/guardian who have also demonstrated high financial need. Recipients of the Sts. Cyril and Methodius Scholarship who are from outside Sofia may be accommodated in the College dormitory as part of the financial support provided by the Domuschiev Impact Foundation. The Sunrise Scholarship was established in 2021 by an alumnus who wished to remain anonymous. The scholarship covers the full tuition fee for three Bulgarian students for the five years of study. The Sunrise Scholarship is awarded with preference to a student from Plovdiv whose family demonstrates financial need. Bulgarian students from outside Sofia who are awarded the Sunrise Scholarship also receive the opportunity to use the College dormitory free of charge. Recipients of the scholarship must maintain a minimum average grade of 5.25 each semester and exemplary behavior during the five-year term of study at the American College of Sofia. The Robin Mittenthal Scholarship was created in 2023 by Daniela Mole, a 1997 graduate from the first class after the school's restoration, in memory of her late husband. The scholarship covers the full tuition fee for one Bulgarian student for the entire five-year term of study. The first recipient of the Robin Mittenthal Scholarship was an 8th grader in the 2023-24 academic year. The scholarship will be offered again in 2028 to a student from a minority, from a single-parent household, or living outside Sofia, whose family has high financial needs. Scholarship recipients who are not from Sofia receive the opportunity to reside in the College dormitory free of charge. Recipients of the scholarship must maintain a minimum average grade of 5.25 each semester and exemplary behavior during the five-year term of study at the American College of Sofia. Partial Scholarships. Teodora and Darina Spasovi Scholarship. The Teodora and Darina Spasovi Scholarship, the first scholarship from Bulgarian citizens, is named after the sister-alumnae of the College, from the Classes of 2004 and 2005, respectively. The scholarship was established in 2005 and aims to partially support the neediest girl from the respective graduating class who maintains a minimum average grade of 5.00 and excellent behavior throughout the entire course of study. Boris Lozanov and Maria Vladimirova Scholarships. The Boris Lozanov Scholarship was established during the 2021-2022 academic year by a parent of a College student, Lyubomir Lozanov, in honor of his father. This scholarship grants 5,000 euros annually to an excellent student for each of the five years of study at the American College of Sofia. To be eligible, the student's family must demonstrate significant financial need, and the student must maintain an average grade above 5.00 and have no disciplinary issues throughout their stay at the College. In 2024, Mr. Lozanov introduced a second scholarship – the Maria Vladimirova Scholarship – in honor of his mother. This scholarship follows the same application procedure and criteria as the Boris Lozanov Scholarship. We express our sincere gratitude to all the donors for their generous contribution to education in Bulgaria and their long-standing support for the American College of Sofia."
School Events
The school has not added events
Compare The American College of Sofia with
vs American English Academy vs Zlatarski International School of Sofia vs Anglo-American School of Sofia
Search for more schools
Search schools in Bulgaria View all schools in Sofia View all schools in Bulgaria IB curriculum schools in Bulgaria Open days & tours in Sofia What is the IB curriculum? View all schools Search all schools