Dear ACS Parents,

As the weeks unfold into months, the year ahead will define itself. As a parent of children who attended esteemed international schools who are now adults making their way in the world, I share that sense of pride each of you reading this email likely have for choosing ACS. We are a school that demands academic attention; this is true, but we are also an academic institution that invites a sense of wonder to explore and to take risks so that dreams have a chance of becoming reality.

If you are returning parents, you already know the outstanding quality of the ACS faculty and staff and the exceptional educational opportunities available for students at this school. You already know that this is a welcoming community that believes so strongly in the value of education and also in the values of this unique institution. I look forward to working with my colleagues at ACS and with all of you, our newest families and our returning, to ensure the continuing excellence of the ACS educational experience for your sons and daughters.

ACS will carry forward its commitment to cultivating a community known for its exceptional teachers and student body. It is important, however, to call attention to the caliber of our parent community. This community is impressive. Among your peers are parents and professionals who embody the values of this institution. The year ahead will be full and engaging for your child, let it also be this way for you.

This year is a special year. It is a year in which your child will grow. I encourage you to be an active participant in the life of the College. You will make a difference. Together, we will make an even bigger difference. Please consider what this contribution might be. 

On behalf of this exceptional community, I welcome each of you to what will be an exceptional year.

With kind regards,
Emily Sargent Beasley
President, American College of Sofia

During the academic year 2022-2023, an effort was established to highlight the importance of a strong home/school partnership. This effort gave rise to the Parent Ambassadors Initiative. This group of parents, administration, and faculty took on a responsibility to set meaningful goals and actively support our community. These goals and this support reflected the ambitions of our Strategic Plan:

• To build strong and supportive networks, strengthen communication and support the success of existing events, such as Arts Fest, Career Fair, FISSION International Science Fair, and students participating on prestigious forums.
  
  
• To engage lecturers and influencers, both within and outside the ACS community, to share inspiring career experiences and success stories and to foster support for student entrepreneurship projects and ideas, as well as promote extracurricular and curricular events.
  
  
• To celebrate faculty achievements and to foster a diverse and inclusive community by expanding scholarship opportunities, supporting service initiatives, and helping to create flexible and inspiring spаces on the ACS campus.

In the 2022-2023 school year, much was accomplished as a result of this collaboration. These results required a strong commitment to meet regularly, both online and in person, host social opportunities that celebrated accomplishments, volunteer as participants in a number of different student activities, like that of engaging in mock interviews with students for internships and serving as career representatives for the student-organized Career Fair, and lead in the success of Arts Fest. Each effort elevated the power of parent engagement in the experience of our students. The result of such efforts contributed to raising over 70,000 leva within Arts Fest 2023 in support of the Tuition Reduction Program and the restoration and enhancement of the College sports facilities. Of particular significance, thanks to these funds, the Green Field was transformed over the summer.

In this 2023-2024 academic year, ACS has hosted a Parent Ambassador Evening and an Annual General Meeting, both open to all parents. We look forward to carrying forward the traditions of the Parent Ambassadors and to having more parents join this important group in the upcoming academic year. In just a few short months, the activity of the group will become even more evident as the student events that now include parent participation are scheduled and as Arts Fest 2024 draws near. Great appreciation is extended to all our parents for their dedication, time, and effort in contributing to the success of these initiatives and collaborations, shaping a thriving school community.