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American Community School Beirut

Lebanon, Beirut

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees LBP 1,318,198,133 - 1,888,011,486
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 1130
Type Co-educational
Opened 1905
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (DP), American Curriculum
Taught languages Arabic, English, French
Typical class size 20
Strengths STEM, Performing Arts, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Leadership and Professional
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, Kindergarten
Introduction

American Community School Beirut is an independent private, coeducational day school in Beirut, Lebanon, serving students from ages 1 to 18. It is accredited by the Lebanese Ministry of Education. The school offers three diploma pathways in high school: International Baccalaureate (IB Diploma), Lebanese Baccalaureate, and American Diploma. In Grades 9–10, students begin high school coursework with an inquiry-based approach and Harkness method across subjects; in Grades 11–12, students select a diploma pathway to focus toward university admission. The campus supports divisions: Bright Beginnings Daycare, Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle, and High School, libraries that house 60,000 records and digital resources worldwide. Signature programs include Harkness Learning, Innovation and Design Spaces (a Buzwair Science and Engineering Wing and a Makerspace), Outdoor and Nature Education, and Week Without Walls. ACS ONE at Summit near Deir El Qamar and SEA Ras Beirut Campus with maritime facilities. 100% of graduates matriculate to four-year universities.

Beirut, Lebanon

The Essentials

American Community School Beirut has 1,130 pupils, typical class sizes of 20, instruction in English.

Location
ACS Beirut is in the Manara neighborhood of Beirut, Lebanon, located near the Mediterranean Sea. The campus address is 67 Nigeria Street, Jal El-Bahr (P.O. Box 11-8129, Riad El Solh, 1107-2260 Lebanon), and it serves the city of Beirut with an international community of students. The school community includes around 30 nationalities.

Stages
Bright Beginnings Daycare; Early Childhood; Elementary School; Middle School; High School.

Type
Independent private coeducational day school.

Country affiliation
Lebanon; The Lebanese Ministry of Education accredits ACS Beirut.

Religious affiliation
No religious affiliation; ACS Beirut enrolls students without regard to religious beliefs.

School day structure
Students arrive at school before 8:00 am. Pre-School dismisses at 1:25 pm; Elementary, Middle, and High School dismiss at 3:15 pm.

Bus service
ACS Beirut offers a bus service for 2025-26 with three round-trip lines (Line A, Line B, Line C). Line A serves Achrafieh, Mina El-Hosn, Ras El-Nabee, Mazraa, Ramlet El-Baida, Verdun, Hamra, Rawsheh, Bir Hassan, Jnah, Forn El-Chibak, Sin El-Fil, and Chiyah; Line B serves Mansourieh, Hazmieh, Jal El-Dib, Antelias, Jdaideh, Baabda, and Lwaizeh; Line C serves Dawha, Jiyeh, Rmayli, Awkar, and Rabieh. The bus fee is paid in USD in two installments, with the first payment due upon registration and the second due by January 2026; refunds and cancellations apply under the stated terms.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
Students follow a dress code: shirts must be collared with logos no larger than a pocket, shoulders covered, and midriff/back concealed; no tank tops; pants worn at the waist and in good condition; skirts/shorts/dresses must reach fingertip length when arms are at the side; athletic wear restricted except ACS athletic shirts/shorts; tights allowed if opaque and covered; footwear must be appropriate for school and PE. Staff dress professionally, with semi-formal attire expected for some functions.

Food Options
Weekly and monthly menus are provided for the cafeteria and canteen.

Governance and Ownership
The school is governed by a Board of Trustees with a Heads of School leading the administration; there is a Parents Committee; the Board includes a President of the AA/ACS Board of Governors.
Fees

Annual tuition at American Community School Beirut ranges from LBP 1,318,198,133 to LBP 1,888,011,486 for 2026/27.

Application fees

- Non-refundable application processing fee: USD 105.
- Non-refundable entrance/test fee (charged upon review of application): USD 100 (applies when testing is required).

One-time capital / development fee (new students only)

- Capital Development Fee (paid in USD cash by new students): USD 4,000.

Tuition fees (per term and total by year group)

All tuition amounts below are stated in US dollars with the per-installment schedule shown. Installment due dates are listed in the billing schedule section.

- Early Childhood — Nursery & KG I:
- 1st installment: USD 670
- 2nd installment: USD 4,510
- 3rd installment: USD 4,510
- 4th installment: USD 4,460
- Total annual tuition: USD 14,150.

- Early Childhood — KG II:
- 1st installment: USD 670
- 2nd installment: USD 5,200
- 3rd installment: USD 5,200
- 4th installment: USD 5,120
- Total annual tuition: USD 16,190.

- Grades 1–2:
- 1st installment: USD 670
- 2nd installment: USD 5,420
- 3rd installment: USD 5,420
- 4th installment: USD 5,340
- Total annual tuition: USD 16,850.

- Grades 3–5 (Elementary):
- 1st installment: USD 670
- 2nd installment: USD 5,420
- 3rd installment: USD 5,420
- 4th installment: USD 5,340
- Total annual tuition: USD 16,850.

- Grades 6–8 (Middle School):
- 1st installment: USD 670
- 2nd installment: USD 5,790
- 3rd installment: USD 5,790
- 4th installment: USD 5,770
- Total annual tuition: USD 18,020.

- Grades 9–10 (High School):
- 1st installment: USD 670
- 2nd installment: USD 6,050
- 3rd installment: USD 6,050
- 4th installment: USD 5,780
- Total annual tuition: USD 18,550.

- Grades 11–12 (High School):
- 1st installment: USD 670
- 2nd installment: USD 6,590
- 3rd installment: USD 6,590
- 4th installment: USD 6,420
- Total annual tuition: USD 20,270.

- Lebanese Baccalaureate (LB) Track (Grades 11–12 LB Track):
- 1st installment: USD 670
- 2nd installment: USD 6,320
- 3rd installment: USD 6,320
- 4th installment: USD 6,230
- Total annual tuition: USD 19,540.

Ancillary / auxiliary fees (separate from tuition)

- Ancillary Fee is charged in US dollars and is payable in USD cash in Lebanon or by transfer to the school's U.S. bank account. The Ancillary Fee is billed in installments aligned with tuition payments and may be waived if 100% of tuition is paid in USD cash or transferred to the U.S. bank account.
- Ancillary Fee instalment structure (example totals shown as charged per grade grouping):
- Nursery / KG I: installments USD 500, 4,250, 4,250, 4,230 — total USD 13,230.
- KG II: installments USD 500, 4,900, 4,900, 4,840 — total USD 15,140.
- Grades 1–5: installments USD 500, 5,100, 5,100, 5,050 — total USD 15,750.
- Grades 6–8: installments USD 500, 5,450, 5,450, 5,450 — total USD 16,850.
- Grades 9–10: installments USD 500, 5,700, 5,700, 5,440 — total USD 17,340.
- Grades 11–12: installments USD 500, 6,200, 6,200, 6,050 — total USD 18,950.
- LB Track: installments USD 500, 5,950, 5,950, 5,870 — total USD 18,270.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Standard tuition installment due dates (per the published fee schedule):
- 1st installment due: March 31 (first payment).
- 2nd installment due: July 25.
- 3rd installment due: October 31.
- 4th installment due: January 30.

- Tuition is stated in USD but billed in Lebanese Pounds (LBP) at the school's published LBP amounts or may be paid in USD cash; parents who pay tuition in LBP cash are required to pay the Ancillary Fee in USD cash (or transfer to the U.S. bank account to avoid the Ancillary Fee requirement).
- The first tuition installment and the capital/development fee for newly admitted students are required on acceptance; those payments are non-refundable.

Accepted payment methods and card surcharges

- Payment at the school cashier: local fresh checks, U.S.-based checks, and credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX) are accepted. Local and international USD credit cards incur processing surcharges when used at the Cashier Desk or online as posted by the Business Office. Specific surcharge rates published are:
- At the Cashier Desk: local USD card 2%; international USD card 3.5%.
- Online: U.S. card 3%; international card 5%.
- Wire transfers to the U.S. bank account and payments at local BLOM bank branches are accepted; U.S. checks can be mailed to the school's New York address with the student name indicated.

Transportation / bus fees (optional)

- Bus service is optional and billed separately. Fees are charged per route and are payable in two installments (first payment at registration; second payment due by January). Some routes require a minimum number of riders and may be cancelled with a full refund if minimums are not met. After two weeks of bus usage, no refund is made for the first payment in usual circumstances.
- Sample round-trip bus fees (two-installment split shown):
- Line A (central Beirut/nearby areas): USD 775 + USD 775 = USD 1,550 total.
- Line B (outlying areas such as Mansourieh, Hazmieh): USD 875 + USD 875 = USD 1,750 total.
- Line C (further suburban lines): USD 925 + USD 925 = USD 1,850 total.
- A 5% discount applies for the second child or more on two-way service only; one-way fares are 75% of the round-trip price. Payments for bus service are accepted in USD cash or by deposit to the transport account as instructed.

Uniforms and school store charges

- Physical Education (PE) uniforms are required and are ordered through the school's PE Uniforms online store; the store publishes ordering, collection, and exchange policies. Uniforms and bookstore purchases are additional costs borne by families.

Other potential charges

- Additional charges that are not part of tuition or the Ancillary Fee may include international exam fees (IB or other external examination fees), overseas book and educational supply costs, medical or health insurance components included in Ancillary calculations, activity or field-trip fees, and elective course fees where applicable. The Ancillary Fee covers many of the operational USD obligations such as technology licenses, IB fees, and some overseas educational supplies. Specific optional program fees (e.g., summer camp) are charged separately and follow their own payment and refund terms.

Refund information

- The first tuition installment and the development/capital fee paid on acceptance are non-refundable.
- Ancillary Fee refund rules: Ancillary installments may be eligible for partial refund if a withdrawal notice is submitted within the published refund windows; later installments generally have reduced or no refund entitlement. The school publishes specific refund deadlines and refund percentages for Ancillary installments (refund percentages vary by installment and by published deadline).
- Bus service refunds: if a route is cancelled due to insufficient riders, a full refund is issued; after two weeks of bus use, no refund is made for the first payment (exceptions apply only as specified in the bus terms).

Boarding / residential provision

- The school does not operate a boarding/residential program for current students; ACS functions as a day school. (Historically a boarding department existed but is no longer in operation.)

How billing appears and student billing access

- Itemised statements and bank details (including U.S. bank payment instructions) are available through the Student Billing Portal. The Business Office (Cashier Desk) handles in-person payments and can issue the online payment link; official payment channels include cashier, BLOM bank deposits, and wire transfers. Credit-card fees are applied as noted under accepted payment methods.
Academics

American Community School Beirut teaches IB (DP), American Curriculum for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
The school offers three diploma pathways in high school: International Baccalaureate (IB), Lebanese Baccalaureate, and American Diploma. In Grades 9–10, the school introduces students to high school coursework with an inquiry-based approach and the Harkness method across subject areas. In Grades 11–12, students choose one of the three diploma pathways to chart a focused path toward university. The school emphasizes clubs, community service, and arts initiatives through cross-divisional student-led activities and mentoring. University preparation is supported by University Counseling, PSAT/SAT testing, MaiaLearning college planning, and university visits, with 100% of graduates matriculating to four-year universities.

Student Teacher Ratio
The student-teacher ratio is 6:1. The High School average class size is 17.

Higher Education Progression
The school provides University Counseling to help students identify best-fit universities. It offers PSAT/SAT testing, MaiaLearning college planning, and university visits to support applications. All graduates matriculate to four-year universities.

Gifted and Talented
Gifted and Talented is considered in admissions; there is a Gifted and Talented designation on the application.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Counseling services are an integral part of ACS. The SEL Counseling Program places emphasis on an integrative SEL approach aligned with the American School Counselor Association and the International School Counselor Association. It uses a proactive, student-centered, global approach to work with students, parents, and teachers from PreK through 12. Counselors provide prevention and interventions, help students develop executive functioning and interpersonal skills, offer individual, group, and family counseling, run parent and student workshops, manage transitions, and coordinate with Learning Support Services and the College Counselor to link families with ongoing therapy and community supports.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The Learning Support Team enhances the learning experiences of students with diagnosed learning challenges who can attend regular classes with minimal support. They help students develop study habits, time management, organization, and self-advocacy; develop support plans that build on strengths; and coordinate with teachers, parents, and outside professionals to implement intervention strategies. They use a diverse range of assessments, including NWEA MAP and WIDA, to identify needs, target support efficiently, and monitor progress. They cannot provide individualized educational plans (IEP) or modify the curriculum for individual students.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The English Language Learning (ELL) program enables students whose first language or prior language of instruction is not English to develop language skills and study at grade level. The ELL program is offered in grades 1–5; in grades 6–12, ELL is offered on an as-needed basis. The ELL team identifies students through proficiency assessment, provides differentiated support, and regularly reports progress to parents. An ELL Specialist plans and delivers the ELL services, which may include individual or small group instruction.

Mental Wellbeing
Promoting health and well-being is a vital component of ACS Student Services, taking a holistic approach to physical, mental, and emotional well-being. School nurses collaborate with teachers, administrators, and parents to provide a safe and supportive learning environment, promote health education, manage chronic diseases, conduct health screenings, respond to crises, support mental health, and monitor nutrition services and physical education. ACS has three certified registered nurses on campus during regular hours, two health centers fully equipped with medications and first-aid supplies, and an on-site doctor available three times per week.

Safeguarding
ACS Beirut has adopted a Child Protection Policy based on international law, Lebanese law, and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child of which Lebanon is a signatory, with key articles on protection from abuse and sexual exploitation. ACS partners with local institutions such as Himaya and AUBMC to support safeguarding. The school provides age-appropriate personal safety lessons for all grade levels, information sessions for parents, and annual faculty training on safeguarding. The Safe Schools program and related safeguarding resources are in use, along with a Code of Conduct and additional materials.
Parent Experience

History
ACS began in 1905 as the Faculty School on Bliss Street in Hamra, serving SPC faculty children with the goal of following the course of American public schools. In the 1910s it expanded to include children of American missionaries, and in 1921 it was renamed the American Community School at Beirut with representation on the governing board. ACS was the first school in Lebanon to offer the International Baccalaureate program in 1995. In 2015 ACS completed its first post-Civil War construction project, including faculty housing, the Beit Salim head of school apartment, 5th grade classrooms, music and band rooms, and in 2018 inaugurated Lebanon's largest solar panel installation on campus. In 2023 ACS became the first school in the MENA region to introduce Harkness Learning.

Community
The ACS community is a tight-knit collection of families, students, faculty and staff, all working together to form a supportive and joyful school environment. Parent Volunteers plan, sponsor and host events such as Splash Fest, the Winter Holiday Carnival, Fright Night, and fundraising efforts, and parents can be involved as Classroom or Grade-Level Parents or as members of the elected Parents' Committee. The school fosters student well-being and class cohesion through a Social and Emotional Learning Program, student retreats, advisory groups and themed activities. Faculty and staff are supported through school-sponsored professional development programming and social gatherings to recognize dedication and achievement.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
An elected Parents' Committee coordinates parent involvement. A dedicated group of Parent Volunteers plans, sponsors and hosts Splash Fest, the Winter Holiday Carnival, Fright Night, and fundraising efforts. Parents may participate as Classroom or Grade-Level Parents, as guest speakers or presenters at student events, or as members of the Parents' Committee. These parent involvement opportunities support the ACS community and contribute to school life.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
ACS Beirut is located in the Manara neighborhood of Beirut, just several hundred meters from the Mediterranean Sea, and serves five divisions: Bright Beginnings Daycare, Early Childhood, Elementary School, Middle School, and High School. Two libraries on campus hold about 60,000 information records, including a substantial collection of eBooks, 20 online subscriptions, online encyclopedias, and five academic databases. Signature programs include Harkness Learning, Innovation and Design Spaces, Outdoor and Nature Education, and Week Without Walls. The Innovation and Design Spaces feature the Buzwair Science and Engineering Wing and a Makerspace, with dedicated spaces for brainstorming, design, coding and robotics, multiple labs, a prototyping area, an AV and multimedia room, and a tele-conferencing space. ACS ONE offers Summit, a fully equipped mountain campus near Deir El Qamar with a two-acre pine forest and permaculture farm, and SEA Ras Beirut Campus with maritime facilities for coastal and ocean-based learning.

Sports Facilities
Basketball courts indoor and outdoor, a playing field, and an exercise room are on campus. KG2-5 have an after-school developmental sports program including soccer, basketball, gymnastics, aerial yoga, and rollerblading. Middle School fields interscholastic teams across fall, winter, and spring seasons with sports such as football, cross country, basketball, badminton, swimming, track and field, and volleyball. High School offers JV and Varsity teams in football, basketball, badminton, volleyball, cross country, swimming, and track and field, competing locally and in NESAC tournaments.

Academic Facilities
ACS Beirut has two libraries with about 60,000 information records, including a substantial collection of eBooks, 20 online subscriptions, online encyclopedias, and five academic databases. The libraries support the English and World Language curriculum and IB standards, with access to resources such as Destiny, ProQuest, JSTOR, Britannica School, and other research tools. The Buzwair Science and Engineering Wing provides a coding and robotics lab, two multi-purpose labs, a prototyping lab, an open learning space, a planning and design space, an AV and multimedia room, and a tele-conferencing room. The Makerspace offers equipment including 3D printers, a laser cutter, sewing machines, woodworking tools, electronics, and more, with after-school access through the Makerspace Club.

Extra Curricular Facilities
ACS offers clubs and student initiatives such as LEBMUN, Nour International, and TEDxYouth. Signature programs include Week Without Walls and Outdoor and Nature Education (ACS ONE). After-school options include the Makerspace Club and the After School Explorers program for younger students, featuring a variety of non-athletic and athletic activities.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school has more than 35 clubs and activities for middle and high school, reflecting a wide range of interests beyond the classroom. The school has a robust after-school option for younger students, KG2–5, called After School Explorers, covering arts, sports and STEM. Middle and high school clubs include Young Entrepreneurs, LEBMUN, Makerspace, Choir Club, Chess Club, and Student Council, with many activities being student-led and meeting during lunch or after school. A WIN block provides dedicated time for club meetings during the academic cycle, in addition to after-school activities.

Arts & Creative
The school has a broad range of arts and creative offerings. After School Explorers includes arts activities such as Mandala Coloring, Beads Club, Dance Club, Painting, Collage Art, Origami, and Doodling; Drama Club, Music Show, Choir Club; Hip Hop and Zumba; Ceramics. The performing and visual arts are actively represented through Drama Club, Music Show, and Choir Club, with additional creative outings offered across the after-school program.

Cultural & Language
The school has Arabic and French language programs. The Arabic Program includes two tracks: Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and Arabic as a Foreign Language (AFL). MSA serves native and near-native speakers (Nursery–Grade 8) and can lead to Lebanese official exams or IB, while AFL is designed for non-native speakers and includes four levels (Grades 2–12). The French Program is also offered.

Social & Hobbies
The school has a broad array of social and hobby clubs and activities beyond academics. The After School Explorers program runs for KG2–5 from 3:30 to 5:00 pm, with a variety of activities and an end-of-season show. Sample sports include Soccer, Basketball, Gymnastics, Aerial Yoga, Badminton, and Roller Blading, alongside numerous arts and dance offerings. These activities foster social connection, teamwork and personal interests.

Community & Service
The school has a structured community service program across age groups. The Early Childhood program Above and Beyond develops empathy and action through service projects. Elementary School hosts ES Gives Back Days two times per year, visiting local NGOs and supporting community needs. Middle School uses a house system with community service leaders coordinating quarter-long NGO projects and two full-day Service Days, while High School conducts Service Days and houses eight community-service clubs, including ACS for Animals, the Giving Back Club, ECO Club, INARA Club, Nour International, Shaping Smiles Club, Light Up a Life Club, and Pulse for Hope Club.

Leadership & Professional
The school provides leadership opportunities through Student Councils, LEBMUN, Nour International, and TEDxYouth. LEBMUN is student-run and a signature program for middle and high school, offering numerous leadership roles such as elected officials, mentors, and outreach liaisons. Nour International operates with an Executive Council of high school students and three core functions: Teaching, Fundraising, and Special Events. TEDxYouth is organized by a committee of dedicated ACS high school students, and ACS was the first school in Lebanon to host a TEDxYouth event.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The school maintains an Athletics program that emphasizes growth, teamwork and perseverance beyond the classroom. The program aims to mold athletes into leaders both on and off the court or field, with training, coaching and opportunities for competition. The school recognizes student-athletes with two annual awards: the Farah Family Athletic and Leadership Award and the Blair Harcourt Award.
Languages

Language Provision
English, Arabic and French are used as languages at ACS Beirut across divisions. The Arabic program includes Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) for native and near-native speakers (Nursery through Grade 8) and Arabic as a Foreign Language (AFL) for non-native learners (Grades 2–12). Arabic is taught as a second language, with no other content delivered in Arabic. The French program follows the AERO Standards for World Languages in Grades N–10 and prepares students in Grades 11–12 to take the IB French Ab Initio, Standard, and Higher Level courses. The French department uses a variety of resources to support language learning.
Reputation

Accreditations
Lebanese Ministry of Education (MOE) – accreditation by the government authority in Lebanon.
Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA) – accreditation by a U.S.-based regional accrediting body.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Begin the online application. The Online Application Form takes about 30-40 minutes to complete in one sitting, provided that the documents are scanned and ready for upload. ACS enrolls students without regard to race, creed, national origin, gender, or religious beliefs. A non-refundable 105 USD application fee is charged. 2. Prepare the required documents. The required documents include full academic records (transcripts for the past three years; translations if not in English) and MAP test results if applicable. Identification documents include the student's passport, Lebanese ID or a recent civil status record, a recent passport-sized photo, and a birth certificate for Early Childhood. Recommendation forms are requested via the online application; specialist reports are required if applicable; Non-Lebanese Program Applicants must provide equivalency documentation from the Lebanese Ministry of Education. 3. Submit the application and await notification. After all parts are submitted and the fee is paid, the admissions committee reviews the application and will notify with either a letter of acceptance, a letter of regret, or a letter confirming a place in the wait pool until spots are available. 4. Admissions timeline and outcomes. The 2026-2027 admissions calendar exists and updates will follow the stated timeline. After the review, notifications are issued with acceptance, regret, or wait pool placement; stay informed about the calendar for timing of communications.

Scholarships
The Scholarships Fund helps ACS maintain a strong and diverse student body. Named Scholarships provide need-based support to outstanding students from communities across Lebanon. Named Scholarships enable qualified students from underserved communities to be successful in ACS programs and to add to the diversity of the community. The Palestinian Scholarships Fund provides scholarships to Palestinian refugee youth to help them achieve their full potential.

Waitlist
The school maintains a wait pool for applicants. After the online application is submitted and the fee paid, a place in the wait pool may be offered until spots become available.
School Events
The school has not added events
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