Welcome from the Superintendent
Dear Friends and Visitors,
Ahlan Wa Sahlan (Welcome)
Like Jordan, The American Community School is known for its hospitality and welcoming spirit. Our diverse community of learners brings energy, spice, and warmth to our campus. The richness of our student body and teaching staff, representing about 47 different nationalities, creates a dynamic environment in which to work, learn, and play.
Some equate the culture of ACS to Jordan's national dish-Mensaf. Mensaf is a very large tray of rice with yoghurt and cooked lamb layered on top of the rice. One cannot eat Mensaf alone; it can only be done with a group. People stand around a large table with the Mensaf tray in the middle and, while they roll the rice and lamb meat into a small ball, they talk, they laugh, they argue, they share ideas, and they dream about the future. They walk away from the meal satisfied, informed, and feeling a strong sense of collegiality for having shared a meal. This is the very concept of community that we promote each day.
ACS has enjoyed a solid reputation throughout its 55 year history. We continue to build this reputation every day with every interaction. The core of our reputation is built on the foundation of our Mission and a rigorous and developmentally appropriate program which includes educating the whole child. We seek to hire and retain the best teachers in the world. Our faculty and staff are committed to the well being of each student, are passionate about their work, and are innovative in their teaching practices. Each day we focus our efforts on student learning and students being able to de
monstrate, in a variety of ways, their understanding, synthesis, and application of knowledge.
At the core of our work is the Mission which demands that we instill in students RESPECT, INTEGRITY, INTELLECTUAL GROWTH. We strive to model, teach, and incorporate these core values in every action and decision we make.
We believe the classroom is not the sole place for learning and that learning takes many shapes and forms. People learn in many different ways and have incredibly diverse talents and skills. Our task as a school is to find how each student learns best and to tailor our instruction for them. We are learning-centered.
Our commitment to learning is displayed in our expectation for professional development for our staff, our efforts to educate our parents, and the support of our students. To this end, ACS offers an impressive array of after school activities that enrich and expand learning. Opportunities include a grade 2-12 after school activities program, a competitive sports/activities program (EMAC, MET, AAL), Model United Nations, an active and award winning community service focus, and fine and performing arts opportunities, as well as parent organized opportunities to celebrate the diversity in our community.
Whether you are looking for a great school for your kids, exploring work opportunities, or just visiting, we hope you enjoy your journey around our web site. We are proud of our school and I am confident you will feel a sense of community, passion, and committment to a common purpose and providing an outstanding education for our students.
Please let us know how we can serve you,
Respectfully,
Larry McIlvain
Superintendent