Quick summary of key school information
School details
| Number of students |
954 |
| Number of nationalities represented in the school |
15 |
| Most common nationality |
Bulgarian |
| Ratio of local students to international students |
97% local : 3% international |
| Native English speaking teachers |
Yes, for the most part |
| Language support for students not fluent in English |
Yes, English as a Second Language courses and Extra English classes after school |
| Additional language classes offered by the school |
Bulgarian, French, German, Spanish |
| Max. number of students per class |
19 |
| Average number of students per class |
19 |
| Does the school employ teaching assistants? |
No |
| Use of technology in the classroom |
The American College of Sofia is a certified Innovative School (as per the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science) and utilizes Google Classroom, a personal Chromebook for every student and a variety of other educational online-based resources. The Student Computer Innovation and Fabrication Institute (SCIFI) located on Campus is a corner stone of the technological opportunities at the College. |
| Is the school ready to use virtual classrooms when needed? (e.g. teaching lessons online if the school is closed, e.g. during COVID-19 closures) |
Yes |
| Do students practice religion at the school? What religion? |
No. |
| External examinations or assessments available |
IB Diploma, State Maturity Exams, AP Exams (Advanced Placement), PSAT, SAT |
| Results in these examinations |
Typically very high |
| Do teachers assign homework to their students? |
Yes |
| Approximate hours of homework given |
2-4 Hours Daily |
| Percentage of students who pursue further education post-graduation |
~100% |
| Dedicated staff/programs for students with special learning needs |
No |
| The school supports gifted, able and talented students |
By offering them a vast range of curricular and extra-curricular activities |
| Student access to education psychologist |
Yes |
| Entry evaluation for students |
The American College of Sofia admits applicants in the 7th grade in the year they are applying and earn a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5.00 out of 6.00 (Very Good on the Bulgarian grading system). Applicants are ranked based on their results on the annual Admissions Exam. |
| Brief description of entry evaluation required |
The ACS Admissions Exam consists of a short essay and an answer/multiple choice test section. The test section is responsible for 4/5 of the total exam grade, while the essay stands for 1/5 of it. The exam is conducted entirely in Bulgarian and is geared to the expected academic development of seventh-graders, therefore there is no need of special preparation. ACS does not organize preparatory courses, nor have we ever authorized any organization or individual to engage in such activity. |
| Waiting list |
The college admits 180 applicants who have completed the 7th grade and have been ranked based on their results on the Admissions Exam. In 2022 there were over 700 applicants. After publishing the results, the first 110 boys and 110 girls are invited to enroll. The remaining applicants form the Reserves’ List. They can be invited if there are vacancies after the deadline for enrollment has expired. When enrolling applicants from the Reserves’ List, only their score at the exam is considered, not their gender. |
| Deadline for registration (new academic year) |
Usually Admission Exam Registration takes place in February with the exam in March or April. |
| Students can join after academic year begins |
Yes. |
| School start time |
08:15 |
| School finish time |
15:35 |
| Supervised care before/after school |
Students may stay after school unsupervised to work on projects, do homework or simply wait for their parents. |
| School bus service available |
No. |
| School provided lunches |
Yes, homemade and healthy breakfasts and lunches are available to all ACS students, faculty and staff. Dinner is also available to those boarding. |
| Food alternatives for special dietary needs (ie. vegan, kosher, halal etc) |
Yes, vegetarian choices are available daily. |
| Uniform required |
No |
| Extracurricular activities or clubs offered |
ACS offers over 150 activities included in the price of tuition: Volleyball, soccer, basketball, tennis, table tennis, cinema group, business club, medical group, Latin American dance, hiking, ecology, psychology, debate, photography, cooking, guitar, arts, chess, programming, science, Balkan dance, choir, student newspaper and many more. |
| Sports activities included |
Three hours per week of Physical Education is included in the curriculum of every grade. |
| Sports teams or sport competitions available for students |
Yes, many |
| Facilities at the school |
Besides the library, science labs, Makers' Space and sports facilities, ACS also has a strong performing arts community with amazing Musical performances each semester. |
| Sports facilities at the school |
Full size multi-purpose gymnasium, indoor and outdoor sports facilities (including a rock climbing wall, dance studio, fitness center, outdoor basketball courts, tennis court and soccer field). |
| Qualities and characteristics best defining the school |
The American College of Sofia integrates the values and best practices of American pedagogy with the rich educational traditions of Bulgaria and Europe. ACS seeks to develop critical thinking, lifelong intellectual curiosity, leadership, and collaboration among multi-talented students of various social, cultural, economic, and geographic backgrounds. |
| Teaching approach of the school |
All ACS courses are advanced college/university preparatory, as the pace and depth is necessary in order for them to achieve two diplomas, and 100% go on to college/university. (In addition, classes within a Profile are considered honors level.) All students earn the American High School Diploma. In addition, Bulgarians earn the national Bulgarian Diploma, and international students earn the IB Diploma. ACS has five academic grades: 8th or “prep” grade (emphasizing intensive English training) and 9th-12th grades. All courses are taught in English except Bulgarian language and literature, foreign languages, Bulgarian geography and Bulgarian history. Bulgarian students choose a “profile”, an area of concentration, within the Bulgarian Diploma Program (11th and 12th grades), in which students go into more depth. All ACS students follow an English profile and choose one other profile from the following: Humanities, Foreign Languages, Natural Sciences (biology and chemistry), Mathematics & Physics, Entrepreneurship, Software & Hardware. All ACS students take extra mathematics every year beyond the requirements of the Bulgarian curriculum. |