acs athens vision - 2006-07

American Community Schools of Athens

2006-2007 Visions & Goals

Presented by:Stefanos P. Gialamas, Ph.D

Head of [email protected]


2006-2007 Visions & GoalsPresented by: Stefanos P. Gialamas, Ph.D

Head of Schools

ACS Athens: A Community of Learners



Head of Schools

14 months ago…•Fiscal Stagnation, Financial Uncertainty, Budget Deficit -650,000 Euros•Student Enrollment negative trend.

•Faculty/Staff uncertainty – No contracts had been signed until end of August 2005•Very low Faculty/Staff morale – Rumors of school closing – Competitors kept spreading them



Head of Schools

14 months ago…•Outdated technology infrastructure – 295 old computers throughout the schools•Almost non-existent new programs•Parents/Students morale low; rumors of school closing in September 2005 led many to look for other schools•Poor public image of the school; media presence almost non-existent



Head of Schools

14 months ago…•Internet presence & website outdated, static content •Faculty development programs non-existent; professional growth not a priority for the school•Alumni community was disengaged and marginalized; out-of-touch with its ACS roots

•Facilities in disarray; many problems from lack of long term planning•Newly built facilities like the Arts Center Theater was minimally and inefficiently utilized by the school



Head of Schools

Since then …

Complete Reversal of Trends!Growth with Quality Planning and Leadership Integrity!



Head of Schools

Since then …

Increase in Enrollment figures:•Total of 670 students (632 paying)

and still enrolling•A +6% increase from the 2005-2006 academic year

•Standard of education and expected performance has risen; ACS has asked 20 students with sub-standard performance to seek alternative institutions



Head of Schools

Since then …

Technology

•A total of 165 new computers in classrooms and computer labs•All Academy, Middle School and Elementary classrooms have new computers by October 2006

•Three New computer labs

•35 new laptops for faculty and general school usage

•Upgrading computer labs and IT infrastructure



Head of Schools

Since then …

Technology•Optimal Match Learning Center upgrades its operations with brand new PC’s and wireless networking

•29 new LCD projectors for classroom and activity usage•20 new DVD players for classroom and general usage



Head of Schools

Since then …

Technology•Dynamic, easily and instantly updated Website with administrative privileges to all functional areas of the school – Administrative, Faculty, Athletics, PTA, Alumni, Boosters•Wireless networking for HS/MS library

•Blackboard implementation for academic programs

•NESA Virtual High School



Head of Schools

Since then …

Enrollment Management•Quality services – Online relay of information about applications and procedures•Efficient and effective community outreach•Qualitative data analysis through usage of technology



Head of Schools

Since then …

Innovative Programs•Institute of Creative and Critical Thinking

•3 U.S. & Canadian Universities professors (York, Tufts, Williams)•IB Preparatory workshop

•Summer 2006 Youth Camp•160 children from ACS wider community participated in a totally successful educational and athletic camp



Head of Schools

Since then …

Faculty Development•3 Schools – 3 Principals

•Steven Medeiros (Academy)•Demetri Pelidis (Middle School)•Dina Pappas (Elementary School)

•22 new Teachers and Aides -replacement

•Continued school-funded faculty development offering thorough knowledge of integrating technology for effectiveness and efficiency of the teaching effort



Head of Schools

Since then …

IBO Image•ACS Athens was picked out of several other international schools to host the 2006 IBO Regional Conference

•550 Head of Schools, IBO coordinators and other education leaders will attend



Head of Schools

Since then …

Public Awareness of ACS Athens•More than 20 published articles about ACS Athens, interviews and profiles

•Increased media exposure with appearances in TV and radio shows



Head of Schools

Since then …

Public Awareness of ACS Athens•Great public response on our Athletic Scholarships initiative – More than 50 interested students and parents visited the campus, who otherwise were unaware of ACS Athens.

•A total of 12 full scholarships per year by 2008-09



Head of Schools

Since then …

ACS Athens Alumni•19 Alumni took advantage of the 25% discount per child incentive

•Initiated direct dialogue and cooperation with the Alumni community in Greece and in U.S.A.•Launched effort to establish the ACS Athens Alumni Committee of the U.S. Goals are:

•Promoting ACS image as the premier international school of Greece•Coordinate cultural and educational exchanges between U.S. & ACS•Fundraising



Head of Schools

Since then …

Graduating Class•Majority of 2005-06 ACS graduates were accepted by U.S. and U.K. universities

American College of Greece(Deree) American University of Beirut

American University of Rome/Italy Babson College

Bowdoin College Bucconi University/Italy

Cardiff University City University UK

Clark University Cornell University

Florida Atlantic University Georgia Institute of Technology

John Cabot University/Italy Kent University of Canterbury

King's College London Metropolitan University

Northwestern University Occidental University

Parsons School of Art and Design/Paris Royal Holloway/London

Skidmore College State University of New York/Tirana, Albania

Syracuse University Tufts University

Universidad De San Andres/Argentina University College of London

University of Florida University of Glasgow

University of Miami University of Newcastle

University of Nottingham University of Warwick

University of Washington University of Westminster

•College Counseling services offered by Student Affairs office unparallelled among international schools in Greece



Head of Schools

Since then …

Upgrading Facilities•New Optimal Match Learning Center

•New Elementary School Cafeteria and Multipurpose area

•Administrative Offices remodeling

•Plans for upgrading our athletic facilities



Head of Schools

What we’re planning for…

Accreditation•Spring 2007 visit by the Middle States Association of Colleges & Schools•Comprehensive plan for preparation of all school aspects of activity to be inspected

•Objectives: By 2012, students at ACS Athens will demonstrate:

• Improvement in quantitative reasoning and computational skills•Increased sense of civic responsibility•Improvement in writing skills

•Goal: Obtain a 10-year accreditation



Head of Schools


Technology

•Implement a total wireless network infrastructure throughout school

•Integrate interactive whiteboards in the classrooms teaching and learning processes

•first two by October 2006•10 by end of 2006 (5 full price, 5 at ½ price)

•Activate an automatic attendance system•Optimize enrollment procedures through online application process•Streamline/optimize registration procedures



Head of Schools


Energy saving and efficiency

•Replacing all windows in the Academy & Middle School buildings, funded by up to 40% by a Greek government energy saving initiative for schools-pending final approval by the ministry



Head of Schools


Improved Teaching & Learning•School sponsored participation of faculty in conferences

•Specialists in campus for faculty training

•Faculty participation in innovative projects (NESA, NCTM etc.)

•Spring Semester introduction of colloquium in Best Teaching Practices

•Special Summer courses/workshops at ACS Athens on advanced Teaching Methodologies



Head of Schools


Curriculum•Several AP courses will be designed for U.S.A. bound students by end of year•Conducting textbook evaluation and software enhancement for several educational areas



Head of Schools


Innovative Programs•Expand Institute of Critical and Creative Thinking with instruction by more U.S. University professors from Brown U., UFT, Babson, NWU

•Continue and capitalize on the Summer Sports and Education Youth Camp•Establish and organize an Athletic Camp in collaboration with Puma

•Bring Coaches from top U.S. Universities in ACS Athens, to assess and evaluate student athletes from International Schools



Head of Schools


Special Projects•National Council of Math Teachers

•Organize an international conference on Mathematics in 2008

•Invite academically recognized math teachers to spend a semester teaching in ACS.•ACS Athens students participation at the American Mathematical Competition



Head of Schools


Special Projects•October 2006: IBO Regional Conference

•January 2007: Annual Anti-Drug Week and Athletic Tournament – 10 Year Celebration•March 2007: ACS Fundraising Campaign

•Christmas 2006: Exclusive Advanced Premiere Showing of ACS Alum Director Mark Wolper’s movie “X-mas without Santa Claus”

•May 2007: Conference on Celebration of Learning Differences



Head of Schools


Enhanced College Prep and Placement•USA-bound students focus on improved SAT score and enhanced student portfolios•U.K./European-bound students focus and work on improved IB scores

•Build stronger ties between ACS and top U.S, U.K and Canadian Universities



Head of Schools


ACS Endowment Fund

•Establish an Endowment Fund in the U.S.

•Facilitate effective Facility advancement•Promote high technology implementation in ACS•Help underprivileged families to send their children to ACS



Head of SchoolsWe are completing the circle…

Academic Innovation& Excellence

Quality Enrollment& Student Services

Higher EducationPlacement

PublicAwareness

Continuous GrowthWith Quality & Integrity



Head of Schools

Faculty

Support Staff

Parents

Benevolent Leadership

Prepare the Global Citizen with Ethos

acs athens vision - 2006-07

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