AMERICAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL BEIRUT - Beirut, Lebanon Head of School Start Date: July 2021 www.acs.edu.lb - Carney Sandoe ...
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AMERICAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL
BEIRUT
Beirut, Lebanon
Head of School
Start Date: July 2021
www.acs.edu.lb
Mission Statement ACS empowers students to solve problems with creativity and integrity, to lead well- balanced lives, and to serve Lebanon and the world community with understanding and compassion. Identity Statement ACS is an accredited, not-for-profit, independent, and secular American College Preparatory School serving a multi-cultural international student body. ACS provides internationally-enriched, standards-based curricula, preparing students for the International Baccalaureate, the Lebanese Baccalaureate, and the American College Preparatory Diplomas. OVERVIEW The American Community School Beirut (ACS) is an accredited and secular, not-for-profit, independent American college preparatory school serving a multi-cultural international student body from age three through grade 12. ACS provides an internationally-enriched, standard-based American curriculum, offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) and the Lebanese Baccalaureate programs, as well as its own College Prep program. ACS students are encouraged to challenge themselves in the classroom, develop passion and expertise in their extracurricular interests, and actively seek out ways to contribute to both the ACS community and the larger world. ACS students in general are ambitious, caring, multi-talented, and confident in their own voices. ACS draws students from both the Lebanese and international communities in Lebanon and embraces all forms of diversity in its tight-knit community. The school focuses on helping students to become critical thinkers, to develop their voices, and to fulfill their academic potential. Through a rich and balanced curriculum, students are challenged to be their best but are also provided with a great deal of support from an experienced and passionate faculty. Students find balance through a wealth of opportunities in the arts and athletics and in an extensive community service program. ACS is committed to developing a lifelong engagement in learning as well as the leadership qualities and personal integrity needed to contribute positively in an increasingly complex global society. The school seeks a Head of School to lead its community of 1,080 students. The Board of Trustees seeks an inspiring educator who will embody the mission of the school, honor its strengths and traditions, pragmatically assess its needs, and who will make a long-term commitment to leading the school forward. Carney, Sandoe & Associates 2 CARNEYSANDOE.COM
SCHOOL HISTORY ACS was founded in 1905 under the headship of Winifred Thornton (1905-1916) as the Faculty School of what is now the American University of Beirut. Over the next 40 years, the enrollment grew to include children of the foreign diplomatic and business communities. Post WWII and through a generous contribution by ARAMCO, the campus was moved to its current location in Jal el Bahr. In 1955, ACS was chartered as a not-for-profit school by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York. Enrollment peaked in 1970 at 1,010. Two years into the Lebanese Civil War, in 1977, enrollment dropped to 134 students. From 1975 to 1991 as the Civil War raged, the school’s very existence was tested. The American and foreign communities left the country, the campus was threatened, and the school’s personnel and programs were reduced to a wartime low. A solid core of Lebanese faculty, remaining when the international faculty left in the 1980s, emerged as a group of professionals with an unusual commitment to the School, and the leadership of W. Robert Usellis (1971-1979), Wilfred and Elsa Turmelle (1979-1984), and Catherine C. Bashshur (1984-2003) saw the school through this trying time. Historically, the school was only able to accept foreign (i.e. non-Lebanese) students. However, in 1988, under the guidance of Catherine Bashshur, ACS was recognized by the Lebanese Ministry of Education as a distinct entity and permitted, as a Lebanese private school, to provide educational services to Lebanese students. ACS is the first school in Lebanon to be fully accredited by a regional U.S. accrediting association, the first school in Lebanon officially authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization in Geneva to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma, and the first school in Lebanon to require community service as a graduation requirement. Carney, Sandoe & Associates 3 CARNEYSANDOE.COM
THE SCHOOL ACS attracts students from a wide range of cultures and backgrounds. Currently, students at ACS hold passports from 64 different countries. While over 50% of students are of Lebanese origin, there are a number of faculty children from AUB and LAU, and a number of children whose parents are in Lebanon as aid workers. A generous financial aid budget and a longstanding commitment to diversity have helped build a community that represents both the local and international communities in Lebanon. ACS’s large alumni community supports the school in a variety of ways, including serving on the ACS Board of Trustees and the Alumni Association Board of Governors, donating time, and supporting fundraising activities. The heart of the ACS education is not the programs or the campus, but the relationship between the faculty and students and the bond they establish as they engage learning. As one parent notes, “Both by children have attended ACS and they are cared for and nurtured.” ACS’ diverse faculty is valued for its experience, academic standards, enthusiasm, and understanding of students. The majority of the faculty hold advanced degrees. ACS teachers are remarkable for their commitment to professional development and ongoing curricular review, as well as their contribution to the larger education community in Lebanon. The result is a dynamic international faculty, dedicated to a liberal, American-style education and committed to ACS. “Working at ACS is something I look forward to every day,” says one teacher. ACS values the critical role of parents in their children’s education and development and strives for clear communication between school and home. Regular events, such as curriculum nights, teacher conferences, town halls, and parent education programs, ensure that faculty, staff, and parents are effectively collaborating to support students well. The Parents Committee, a voluntary parent body holding advisory capacity, serves as an effective interface between the ACS parent body and the Head of School to address school-wide issues of general concern in a supportive and positive manner. Carney, Sandoe & Associates 4 CARNEYSANDOE.COM
ACS is accredited by the Lebanese Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA). The school is an IB World School offering the IB Diploma Program (IBDP) and holds memberships with the Near East and South Asia Council of Overseas Schools (NESA), the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), The Middle East IB Association (MEIBA), the American Society for Curriculum and Development (ASCD), the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). ACADEMICS Focused on student learning, the curriculum at ACS is designed around a set of standards that outlines what students should know and be able to do at the end of their learning journey. These standards are adopted from the AERO (American Education Reaches Out) curriculum sponsored by the U.S. State Department Office of Overseas Schools, aligned with American common core, and adapted by committees of overseas faculty and administrators to meet the needs of international schools and their students. To ensure success, ACS has a regular cycle of curricular review every five years and the school engages the faculty in on-going learning and professional growth. The language of instruction is English while Arabic and French are offered as secondary language courses at all levels. Early Years (Nursery, KG1 and KG2) The Early Years program embraces the Reggio Emilia philosophy while following the AERO standards (starting in KG2) to create a joyful and child-centered learning environment. Daily interactions with children are grounded in the interconnected practices of active listening, facilitation, Carney, Sandoe & Associates 5 CARNEYSANDOE.COM
and documentation. All areas of development are addressed equally to foster the development of the whole child, and 21st century skills and learning dispositions are embedded in all aspects of the program. Children express themselves and make their learning visible through art, music, dance, construction, math, and writing. Elementary School (Grades 1-5) The Elementary School program provide a caring educational program that nurtures and inspires each child to reach high levels of personal success. The focus is truly on the development of the whole child as students are not only challenged but supported in achieving academic, physical, and social/emotional growth. A caring and highly talented group of teachers provide innovative and state-of-the art instruction based on the AERO standards and learner outcomes that provide an aligned and coherent curriculum. The instructional program develops critical thinking, problem solving, and strong communication skills across a range of disciplines with daily instruction in literacy, math, and science/social studies. Arabic is taught daily for both heritage speakers and those new to the language. Basic French begins in grade 3. Specialists provide instruction in music, art, and physical education several times each week, and technology and library/media are integrated with core academic subjects. Middle School (Grades 6-8) At ACS, the Middle School supports each student’s academic and socio-emotional needs during this very intense period of change and development. The program is designed so that students feel comfortable pursing academic opportunities and exploring who they are as individuals and a community. This is accomplished by creating a school climate that is safe, trusting, inviting, and caring. Carney, Sandoe & Associates 6 CARNEYSANDOE.COM
The curriculum is challenging, integrative, and exploratory with varied teaching and learning approaches. Students are drawn to learning by caring, understanding, and supportive teachers who understand and appreciate the unique developmental stage of the middle school child. The Middle School program is designed to promote a smooth transition between Elementary and High School, academically and socially. It is during this time that most students experience dramatic cognitive, social, emotional and physical changes. The Middle School strives to provide a nurturing environment so that students may thrive during this tumultuous time in their development. In support of this goal, a traditional American Middle School curriculum is followed, with the addition of language programs in Arabic and French. Each year of Middle School, students complete courses in Arabic, English language arts, French, math, physical education, science, social studies, and fine arts. High School (Grades 9-12) The High School at ACS offers a rigorous academic program for students in grades 9-12. Students generally take seven or eight courses each year depending on their grade and program, including English language arts and literature, math, science, social sciences, visual and performing arts, and world languages (French and Arabic). Within the High School, there are three different diploma programs. The Lebanese Baccalaureate (LB) Programme prepares students for the government exams, which would qualify Lebanese students to study and practice law, engineering, and other professions in Lebanon. The LB Programme is open to all students but is the required course of study for students who carry only Lebanese nationality. LB students sit for a government-issued exam at the end of grade 9 and grade 12 and must pass both exams to earn the LB diploma. Carney, Sandoe & Associates 7 CARNEYSANDOE.COM
College Matriculation
The following is a selection of the colleges
and universities to which members of the
Classes of 2018-2020* are matriculating
(*due to the COVID-19 crisis, some 2020
graduates are still undecided):
American College of Greece
American University of Beirut
Boston University
Brown University
Carleton College
City University of London
Columbia University
Concordia University - Montreal
Cornell University
Escola Superior de Disseny Barcelona
George Mason University
Georgetown University
Harvard University
IE University – Madrid, Segovia
Johns Hopkins University
King’s College London
Lebanese American University
London School of Economics
Before entering grade 11, non-LB students choose to pursue
Loyola Marymount University
an IB Diploma or an American College Prep (ACP) diploma.
McGill University
New York University
The ACP diploma is based on the American model and
Northeastern University prepares students for admission to colleges and universities
Ontario College of Art and Design in the U.S. While all students must take certain classes, ACP
Pomona College students enjoy a wide range of course options including fine
Rochester Institute of Technology arts and physical education electives.
Simon Fraser University
Syracuse University Widely accepted at universities in the US, Canada, and
The American University in Cairo Europe, as well as other universities throughout the world,
Trinity College Dublin the IB Programme at ACS is non-selective. Students engage
Tufts University in an academically challenging but balanced course load
University College London for grades 11 and 12 in preparation for IB external exams.
University of Amsterdam Since its inception in 1995, 97.56% of all IB candidates have
University of British Columbia successfully completed the Diploma requirements.
University of California, Berkeley
University of Chicago
University of Edinburgh
University of Exeter THE ARTS
University of Iowa
University of Manchester ACS is firmly committed to arts education as an integral part
University of Michigan of its curriculum. Arts education is an important means of
University of Southern California stimulating creativity in problem solving. Learning through the
University of Sussex
arts often results in greater academic achievement and higher
University of Texas, Austin
University of Toronto test scores. Participation in arts education is an important
University of Wisconsin, Madison tool for preparing students to live and work in a world that is
Wheaton College increasingly team-oriented rather than hierarchical.
Carney, Sandoe & Associates 8 CARNEYSANDOE.COM
ACS’ youngest students express their creativity and imaginations through a variety of media. As students move through the Elementary and Middle Schools they continue to work in drawing, painting, sculpture, collage, video and electronic design, and photography. High school courses include 2D and 3D Art, Graphic Design, Digital Photography, and grade 11 and 12 students also have the opportunity to engage in the IB Visual Arts coursework. The Elementary School music program incorporates singing, movement, percussion, and instrument playing. As part of the Middle School program, all students build their musical and performance confidence through playing and listening, percussion in drum circles, singing, and composition. High School students can elect to continue in Choir or Band. Beginning in Middle School, all students take part in drama classes as a part of their elective rotations. Grade 9 and 10 students can elect to participate in Drama I and II while grade 11 and 12 students can track into IB Theater or Advanced Theater. Students learn the fundamentals of acting and stage production and can expand their learning by participating in instructor-led productions or creating their own projects. Students may also participate in International Schools Theater Association (ISTA) conferences. PHYSICAL EDUCATION, HEALTH, AND ATHLETICS The physical education program develops an understanding of the importance of physical activity, health, and well-being to overall lifelong wellness. Students in the Early Years participate in a PE program that promotes a commitment to daily physical activity and provides a foundation of basic movement skills. PE students in grades 1-5 continue to build on the fundamental motor skills they were Carney, Sandoe & Associates 9 CARNEYSANDOE.COM
taught in Early Years, while progressively being introduced to more team games. PE in the Middle School years includes a variety of sporting opportunities, developing skills and sportsmanship while striving for excellence and fostering friendships. The challenges of athletic competition complement the rigors of the High School academic courses and encourage athletes to grow intellectually, socially, and physically. Grade 10 students also participate in specific health instruction covering topics such as anatomy, nutrition, substance abuse, and sex education. The ACS Athletic Program is an important partner in the educational process of students. Student athletes take with them the lessons of high standards, fair play, discipline, sportsmanship, and teamwork when they move on from ACS. ACS athletes compete and play at three levels: Middle School (intramural-development for grades 6-8), Junior Varsity (competitive/intramural-development for grades 9-10), and Varsity (competitive for grades 10-12). Teams include swimming, Ultimate Frisbee, volleyball, football/soccer, basketball, cross country, track and field, badminton, golf, and tennis. STUDENT LIFE Activities and Clubs ACS believes that a vital component of learning is the transfer of skills and knowledge beyond the classroom. To this end, the school offers a variety of after school activities to support its mission as well as extend and enhance students’ learning. Students in grades 6-12 can participate in academic games, debate and forensics, Model United Nations, robotics, Student Council, and more. Carney, Sandoe & Associates 10 CARNEYSANDOE.COM
Community Service A component of the ACS mission is “to serve Lebanon and the world community with understanding and compassion.” With this in mind, ACS students engage in service activities with the goal of becoming global citizens that are able to improve the community and world in which they live. Middle School students have purchased a new water system and painted classrooms for a local school in Sri Lanka, and planted trees in Turkey. High School students invest in the local community in multiple ways, including volunteering at orphanages, building homes, providing disaster relief, and participating in schools for the handicapped to name a few. All High School students are required to complete a minimum of 100 hours of community service during their four years. Field Studies As ACS students strive to meet the goals of balance, service, and compassion, they engage in multiple field studies over the course of their time at ACS. These studies take many different forms and are directly connected to the curriculum. The school takes advantage of its immediate surroundings to offer students experiences at the neighboring American University of Beirut, local businesses and cultural locations, science centers, as well as a dedicated field experience camp in Deir Al Qamar, to name a few. Week Without Walls The goal of the Week Without Walls (WWW) program is to promote experiential learning and educational opportunities for Middle and High School students to develop stronger connections and understanding between the classroom and the wider world. WWW courses are varied in nature and often include academic components, personal exploration and growth, service learning, appreciation of nature, respect for local communities, international mindedness, and positive relationship development among peers. Students might travel to Iceland to explore lava caves, build houses for underprivileged families, explore technology in Tokyo, or learn cooking skills. Carney, Sandoe & Associates 11 CARNEYSANDOE.COM
Outdoor Education The Outdoor Education program at ACS is rooted in the belief that using the outdoors as a classroom is a powerful learning tool. Through the program, students acquire new skills, build confidence, and develop a lifelong appreciation for the outdoors. ACS has an Outdoor Education center located in the historical city of Deir Al-Qamar in the middle of a pine tree forest. The center has facilities needed for camping field trips and outdoor activities, as well as a small farm and an area for plantation. The center serves as a point of departure for many hiking trips in the nearby areas like the famous Shouf Cedar Reserve. ACS is the only school in the region that has its own outdoor education facility. CAMPUS The ACS campus is in the heart of Ras Beirut, with the Mediterranean Sea on one side, and the American University of Beirut, the preeminent university in the Middle East, on the other. Four buildings, an athletic field, and several outdoor spaces are spread over three city blocks to make up the compact 16,000-square meter campus. The primary building, built in the late 1940s, houses all Middle School classrooms, computer labs, administrative offices, student services, a portion of the High School language classrooms, and the Upper School infirmary. The Upper School library and teachers’ professional library, housed on the fourth floor, were renovated in 2009. The building has its own auditorium and houses the school’s cafeteria. Adjacent to the building are two outdoor spaces inclusive of an outdoor stage. Carney, Sandoe & Associates 12 CARNEYSANDOE.COM
In the early 1950s, a second major building was constructed to serve as a residence for international boarding students, the Head of School, and some faculty. It now houses the Physical Plant department, Nursery classrooms, Elementary infirmary, bookstore, IT department, and print shop, the Development and Alumni Affairs office, the Business and Admissions offices, the Head of School’s office, and nearly all the High School classrooms. Built in the late 1950s, the gymnasium comprises a hardwood-floor basketball court (the first of its kind in Lebanon at the time), the Physical Education offices and fitness rooms, boys and girls locker rooms, and the fine arts offices and classrooms. The Lower School building houses kindergarten to grade 4, the Elementary School library, auditorium, and multi-purpose room, as well as the Early Years and Elementary administrative wing. Adjacent to the building are several playgrounds. The addition of a rooftop athletics area in 2005 provided much needed outdoor space to facilitate play and physical education. In 2015, ACS opened its first new building in 60 years, located between the Elementary School and gymnasium. The lower floors of the building house music rooms, language classrooms for the Elementary School, and four Middle School classrooms. The upper floors accommodate 16 beautiful faculty apartments, all with sea views, and the penthouse is the home for the Head of School, complete with entertaining space suitable for both official and personal gatherings. There is a roof deck that is also equipped for school events and serves the residents of the building. Carney, Sandoe & Associates 13 CARNEYSANDOE.COM
BEIRUT, LEBANON
Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon with a population of nearly two million. Located on
a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon’s coastline with the Mediterranean Sea, it serves as the
country’s largest and main seaport and also forms the Beirut District area, which consists of the city
and its suburbs. The first mention of this metropolis is found in the ancient Egyptian Tell el Amarna
letters, during the 15th century B.C., and the city has been continuously inhabited over the centuries.
Beirut serves as Lebanon’s seat of government and plays a central role in the Lebanese economy.
The city is also the focal point of the region’s cultural life, renowned for its restaurants, theatres,
and cultural activities. After the Lebanese civil war, Beirut underwent major reconstruction, and the
redesigned historic city center, marina, pubs, and nightlife districts have once again rendered it a
popular tourist attraction.
OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES
The following are seen as opportunities for the next Head of School:
• 100+ year tradition as a premier liberal arts educational institution in Lebanon and the Middle
East more broadly.
• Highly accomplished alumni global network that values the school’s role in the community;
• The committed Board;
• The sense of family and community;
• Lebanese resilience and toughness;
Carney, Sandoe & Associates 14 CARNEYSANDOE.COM• The community’s pride in the school;
• A growth mindset for teachers and students.
Challenges for the next Head of School will include:
• Navigating the uncertain political and economic times ahead;
• Identifying and hiring expat teachers and administrators who are passionate about the school’s
mission and Lebanon;
• Staying true to the school’s mission of combining the best of American educational values and
Lebanese culture;
• Unifying the four divisions as a single school with an articulated curriculum;
• Finding additional revenue streams to support the overall program and facilities improvement;
• Openly involving all leaders in decision-making in a timely manner;
• Balancing the needs of local community with those of the expat community;
• Able to make timely decisions and act swiftly, under difficult circumstances;
• Understanding ACS’s blend of U.S. and Lebanese education, uniquely positioning its students to
succeed in international universities, particularly in the U.S.
Carney, Sandoe & Associates 15 CARNEYSANDOE.COMDESIRED QUALITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS
• A strong leader and decision maker who knows how to empower colleagues and inspire stakeholders;
• A natural ambassador for the school who has experience fundraising and development;
• Excellent time management and crisis management;
• High emotional intelligence, relational, and empathetic;
• A collaborative community and team builder;
• Strong leadership skills and ethos;
• Culturally aware and embraces diversity; understands Lebanon and Lebanese culture
• Resilient, adaptable, and positive;
• Delegates and empowers;
• An open-minded good listener;
• A forward-thinking instructional leader;
• International experience.
• The captain of the ship. She or he must convey a sense of stability to the community;
• A strong work ethic;
• A leader who embraces challenge and brings determination and imagination to crafting solutions.
Courage will be essential and finding satisfaction in making it all work with a high functioning team.
TO APPLY
Interested and qualified candidates should submit electronically in one email and as separate documents
(preferably PDFs) the following materials:
• A cover letter expressing their interest in this particular position;
• A current résumé;
• A one-page statement of educational philosophy and practice;
• A list of five professional references with name, phone number, and email address of each (references
will not be contacted without the candidate’s permission) to:
John Chandler
Senior Consultant
john.chandler@carneysandoe.com
Art Charles
Managing Associate, International Search
art.charles@carneysandoe.com
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