Departments

Bulgarian Language and Literature

The key objective of the Bulgarian language and literature curriculum is exploring the relationship between language and thinking skills. Emphasis on the history and theory of literature is combined with development of oral and written language abilities, reading comprehension skills, analysis and synthesis skills, and independent critical thinking skills. Alternative tasks and projects encourage research and creative work in the fields of literature, art, and culture. The Writing Center aims to assist students in different aspects of language application, such as orthography, development of ideas, argumentation, composition, and style of writing. The State Examination preparation courses offer students the opportunity to review, supplement, and expand knowledge and skills acquired in regular classes.

The Fountain Literary Journal, published by the Bulgarian Department since 1994, has a long-standing tradition. Students who have contributed to it have received awards in prestigious national literary competitions and among them are prominent authors in contemporary Bulgarian literature.

Courses

• European Literature from Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and the Renaissance – 8th Grade

• European Literature from Romanticism to Early 20th-Century Modernism – 9th Grade

• Bulgarian National Revival Literature – 9th Grade

• Bulgarian Literature from the Liberation to the End of the 20th Century – 10th Grade

• Bulgarian Literature from the Liberation to World War I – 11th Grade

• Bulgarian Literature in the 20th Century – 12th Grade

• Bulgarian Language – 8th-12th Grade

Profiled Classes Program – 11th and 12th Grade

• Module 1: Language and Society

• Module 2: Language Usages

• Module 3: Dialogic Readings

• Module 4: Critical Reading

• Module 5:

  • Text Linguistics

  • Modern Approaches to Reading Bulgarian Classical Literature

  • The Language of Media in the Modern World

  • Literature and Cinema

Elective Courses

• Preparation for the State Matriculation Exam (Matura) – 12th Grade

• Preparation for the National External Assessment (NEA) – 10th Grade

• Creative Writing – 9th-12th Grade

• Public Speaking – 9th-12th Grade

Additionally, the BLL Department runs a Writing Center to help any student aiming to perfect their knowledge and skills in Bulgarian Language and Literature.

English Language and Literature Department

The English Language and Literature Department has developed a grades 9-12 college preparatory curriculum that focuses on critical reading, literary analysis, and writing. Additionally, students at all grade levels are challenged to improve their fluency in English. We want our students to become better readers, to think critically, to improve their writing both academic and non-academic, to enjoy their classes, and to be fully engaged.

Electives

• College Life newspaper, Grades 10-12
  

• English Language Fluency, Grades 9-10

English as a Second Language Department

The mission of the English as a Second Language Department is to prepare the eighth-grade students for the requirements of an academic career at ACS. This is accomplished by providing students with a solid understanding of the English language as well as by building their academic confidence and competence so that they can successfully fulfill the requirements of content-area classes in English. All language skills (reading, writing, speaking, and listening) receive constant attention. Students are assisted in developing study skills which are essential for academic success. Quality instruction in a friendly yet structured environment that fosters mutual respect and intellectual curiosity is a major goal of the department. Strong relationships and good communication between and among teachers, students, and parents are valued and encouraged.

Courses

• ESL - Grade 8
  

• Extra English - Grade 8
  

• IELTS Preparation - Grades 10 and 11
  

• SAT Preparation - Grade 11

Math Department

The main goal of the department is to introduce students to major ideas and concepts in Mathematics. While developing their analytical and technical skills, students apply their mathematical knowledge to solve a variety of  problems. The knowledge and skills students acquire allow them to participate effectively in national and international Mathematics competitions and examinations before and after graduating from ACS.

Courses

• Mathematics – Grade 8

• Profile Mathematics - Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12

• Pre-IB Mathematics for international students – Grades 8 and 10

• Advanced Math – Grades 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12

• IB Mathematical Studies for international students – Grades 11 and 12

• IB Mathematics SL for international students – Grades 11 and 12

• IB Mathematics HL for international students – Grades 11 and 12

Liberal and Fine Arts Department

The basic goal of the Liberal and Fine Arts Department is to support students in developing their imagination, creativity, and analytical thinking skills by providing them with the knowledge necessary to achieve this. All staff members strive to expand the abilities of the students in self-expression and self-evaluation along with their critical thinking and communication skills. As students gain multicultural perspectives and social awareness of the world, they become independent, rational, and proactive citizens.

Courses

• Arts – Grades 8, 9, and 10

• Music – Grades 8, 9, and 10

• Physical and Human World Geography and Bulgarian Geography - Grades 9 and 10

• Bulgarian and World History – Grades 9 and 10  

• US History – International Students Grade 10

• Philosophy – Grades 8, 9, and 10

• Civic Education – Grades 11 and 12

• Entrepreneurship Profile - Grades 11 and 12

• History Profile – Grades 11 and 12

• IB Economics – Grades 11 and 12

• IB History – Grades 11 and 12

• IB Theory of Knowledge – Grades 11 and 12

Electives

• Music Electives – Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12

  • Crochet and Music

  • Piano and Music Theory for Beginners and Intermediate

• Arts Electives – Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12

  • Drawing and Drawing from Observation

  • Modern Art

• Bulgarian Folk Dancing - Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12

• Microeconomics and Macroeconomics - Grades 10 and 11

• History and Cinema - Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12

• Advanced Course in Psychology - Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12

Science Department

The department views its mission and objectives in the light of modern educational standards and methods. A major goal is to develop and improve students’ abilities in the following areas: critical thinking, independent analysis, problem solving, experimenting, and publishing results and information. Students who are curious about and talented in science are encouraged to develop skills and accumulate knowledge beyond the standards.

The department offers additional profile classes in physics and chemistry, elective courses for Advanced Placement preparation in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and the SAT II subject tests. Our continuing goal is to bring science to students by improving and varying our in-class work and extracurricular activities and by exposing students to research and experimentation.

Members of the Science Club have received numerous awards in national astronomy and physics competitions. The ACS Science Team has participated in four International Young Physicists Tournaments, coming in second twice out of a large number of countries.

Since 1996, we have organized Science Fair, a celebration of science involving all ACS students in projects, experiments and science-related games, while its international student-organized equivalent FISSION International Science Fair is an ACS annual tradition since 2016.

Courses

• Science - Grade 8

• Biology and Health Еducation – Grades 9 and 10

• Chemistry and the Environment – Grades 9 and 10

• Physics and Astronomy – Grades 9 and 10

• Biology International – Grade 9

  Physics International – Grade 10

  Chemistry International – Grade 10

• Natural Sciences Profile (Chemistry and Biology) – Grades 11 and 12

• Mathematics Profile (Physics and Astronomy, Mathematics and Computer Science) - Grades  11 and 12

• IB Standard and High Level in Biology – Grades 11 and 12

• IB Standard and High Level in Chemistry – Grades 11 and 12

Electives

• AP Preparation in Biology – Grades 10 and 11

• AP Preparation in Chemistry – Grades 10 and 11

• AP Preparation in Physics – Grades 10 and 11

Computer Science Department

The main goal of the department is to introduce students to major ideas and concepts of Computer Science. While developing their analytical and technical skills, students apply their IT knowledge to solve a variety of theoretical or real-life problems. Students are expected to create hypotheses and develop ideas as well as to justify and prove their validity. The knowledge and skills students acquire allow them to participate effectively in national and international Computer Science competitions.

Courses

• Informatics – Grade 8
  

• Information Technologies – Grades 8, 9, and 10
  

• Profile Informatics – Grades 11 and 12
  

• Profile Information Technologies – Grades 11 and 12

Electives

• AP JAVA, Elective  –  Grades 11 and 12

Foreign Language Department

The Foreign Language Department has adopted essential standards based on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for Languages and offers a four-year sequential program in French, German, and Spanish. The primary goal of the Foreign Languages curriculum is to develop proficiency in all four language skills - reading, listening, writing, and speaking. Our faculty also strives to provide a comprehensive perspective on language that comprises the cultural, historical, and present development of the countries where the languages we teach are spoken. At the end of their College career, our students meet the requirements of Level B1-B2 according to CEFR. The IB courses are customized to respond to the individual needs of our international students and, so far, all our students have successfully passed the IB exams. The elective courses are designed to delve into various aspects of the languages taught and the cultures presented, expand the knowledge, and polish the language skills of our advanced students.

General Information: Grade 9

General Information: Grade 10

General Information: Grade 11

General Information: Grade 12

Courses

• French – Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12
  

• German – Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12
  

• Spanish – Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12
  

• French IB Ab initio – Grades 11 and 12
  

• French IB Standard – Grades 11 and 12
  

• French IB High Level – Grades 11 and 12
  

• German IB Ab initio – Grades 11 and 12
  

• German IB Standard – Grades 11 and 12
  

• German IB High Level – Grades 11 and 12
  

• Spanish IB Ab initio – Grades 11 and 12
  

• Spanish IB Standard – Grades 11 and 12
  

• Spanish IB High Level – Grades 11 and 12

Electives

• SAT II French, Elective – Grades 11 and 12
  

• SAT II German, Elective – Grades 11 and 12
  

• SAT II Spanish, Elective – Grades 11 and 12
  

• AP French, Elective – Grades 11 and 12
  

• AP German, Elective – Grades 11 and 12
  

• AP Spanish, Elective – Grades 11 and 12

Sports Department

The mission of the Sports Department is to improve the sports skills and habits of our students, to enrich their theoretical background in various sports, and to work on developing key fitness qualities: speed, flexibility, agility, and strength. This is achieved by planning and conducting intensive sports classes, keeping students motivated during classes, and grading student performance objectively. Special emphasis is laid on reducing student stress by promoting healthy habits and encouraging healthy life choices. In addition to regular sports classes, a number of elective classes are also offered in hopes that students will find the sports activity that will become a permanent part of their life.

Courses

• Sports – Grades 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12

Electives

• Girls Volleyball, Elective – Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12

• Boys Volleyball, Elective – Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12

• Boys Football, Elective – Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12
  

• Tennis and Table Tennis, Elective – Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12

• Fitness, Elective – Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12

• Swimming, Elective - Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12

• Basketball, Elective – Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12