International Schools Directory

Founded in 1905, the American Community School is an independent, coeducational day school, offering an educational program starting from nursery level through grade 12 for students regardless of nationalities. The school year is divided into semesters extending from September through June. The School is governed by a 21-member self-perpetuating Board of Trustees which meets 3 times a year in the United States and Lebanon. The School operates under a charter from the New York State Board of Regents and the Lebanese Ministry of Education and is incorporated as a "not-for-profit" educational organization, registered in the State of New York. The curriculum is patterned after the U.S. educational system and majority of the basic textbooks and materials come from the United States. The language of instruction is English but Arabic is also taught at all levels as a first or second language while French is introduced at grade 3. The curriculum is very demanding in all disciplines at all levels. The upper school has 3 programs: the U.S. college preparatory program that includes Advanced Placement courses, the International Baccalaureate Program and the Lebanese Baccalaureate Program. All of the school's graduates have attended colleges and universities in Lebanon, Europe, and the United States. The School’s standardized testing program includes the Stanford Achievement tests (SAT), PSAT, SAT I and II, TOEFL, NAGLIERI (non-verbal ability test) and the career interest inventory test for middle school. The School is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and licensed by the Lebanese Ministry of Education. The School is housed in 4 purpose-built facilities, which include 2 academic buildings with 4 science laboratories, 2 library/media centers, 2 auditoriums, 2 computer laboratories, 1 administration/residential/classroom building, and a gymnasium with additional classrooms for art and music. The School is located 1/2 block from the Mediterranean Sea on 16,000 square meters of land, adjacent to the American University of Beirut.