American College of Sofia Starts New School Year
September 10, 2025 - The American College of Sofia (ACS,) celebrating its 165th anniversary this year, opened the new school year on Tuesday, September 9, welcoming both new and returning students. Starting earlier than most Bulgarian schools continues a long-standing tradition that supports ACS’s strong focus on faculty growth and academic excellence. As an innovative school, the College begins the new academic year earlier in order to provide four additional days dedicated to the professional development of teachers, with a focus on collaboration in refining teaching practices and assessment tools for measuring student achievement. In this way, students benefit from learning with teachers who are continually advancing their skills.
Admission to ACS is highly competitive, with students applying from across Bulgaria after 7th grade. Applicants must meet rigorous academic standards and pass an entrance exam. Graduates earn both Bulgarian and American diplomas, preparing them for top universities worldwide. All families of students admitted to the American College of Sofia after successfully passing the entrance exam may apply annually for tuition reduction based on financial need. Families from outside Sofia may also receive an additional reduction to reflect housing costs, thanks to the generous donations of the College’s benefactors. This year, the American College of Sofia allocated BGN 2,547,073 (€1,302,298) as part of its tuition reduction program, as well as 29 full scholarships.
The success of this model is reflected in the university acceptances of the ACS Class of 2025, whose graduates earned places at some of the world’s most prestigious institutions as well as Bulgaria. These include Yale, Duke, and UCLA in the United States; Oxford, the London School of Economics, and St Andrews in the United Kingdom; Bocconi University in Italy and Erasmus University Rotterdam in the Netherlands; AUBG, Sofia University, the Medical University of Sofia as well as the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in Asia.
Founded in 1860, ACS is the oldest American educational institution outside the United States and a leading private high school in Bulgaria. Its 30-acre campus in Sofia includes modern classrooms, science labs, theaters, sports facilities, and a fully equipped 28-person dormitory welcoming students from outside Sofia this year. With a tradition of academic excellence, global university placements, and civic leadership, ACS stands as one of Bulgaria’s most prestigious private high schools. Among the College’s alumni are distinguished Bulgarian public figures and leading experts in culture, science, medicine, and education, who contribute their extensive academic and professional expertise and leadership to the development of Bulgaria.
