Compassionate and ethical students enliven our Middle School. We believe deeply in preparing our students to care for their intellectual, physical, social and emotional well-being.
ACS takes great care to help students reach their full potential as their minds and bodies grow and their social circles expand. Our classes and programs are designed to allow students to work collaboratively, to problem solve and to apply new learning, while participating in a wide range of academic, artistic and athletic endeavors.
We offer opportunities to help our students grow into whoever they choose to be. Our students learn to be confident and positive risk-takers who seek balance and intrinsically choose to follow our school’s core values.”
Karl Poulin, Middle School Principal
Middle School Resources
Curriculum
At ACS, Middle School is a time for students to grow academically while developing their personal identity and learning to navigate their role within the ACS community and the broader world. Through our standards-based approach to learning, teachers help students realize their academic growth through ongoing feedback and permitting students to show their learning in a variety of ways. Students engage in core subjects such as English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Physical Education & Wellness, along with Language instruction and a variety of Elective courses. Our goal is to create an engaging academic environment where students are excited to come to school, participate actively, and experience continuous cycles of wonder, discovery, and reflection.
Every day, both inside and outside the classroom, students encounter opportunities that challenge their thinking, expand their comfort zones, and deepen their understanding of how they can impact their surroundings.
Programs
We aim to prepare our students to have the mindset to accept the challenges that lay before them after their Middle School years. Students leave knowing that they are capable scientists, musicians, mathematicians, athletes, historians, performers, writers, linguists, artists, advocates and creators. Our programs ensure our students have a strong foundation in wellness, permitting them to be mindful citizens and thoughtful self-advocates. Together, our students learn to engage and interact to become confident authors of their own stories. They are empowered to shape the future.
Learn more about the various programs offered in Middle School.
CHILD SAFEGUARDING AND PROTECTION
The American Community School of Abu Dhabi is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All employees must work in partnership with the school and take a shared responsibility to ensure a safe environment where all our children can learn and grow. Our Child Protection Handbook guides our practices for the safety and security of students.
Middle School Student Support Services
We recognize that all students learn differently and require support in unique ways. Our team of ACS counselors works with students, educators and parents to foster a safe, inclusive, supportive and collaborative school environment central to the success of the ACS mission. Our learning support team serves as caring advocates, providing students with a developmentally-appropriate, comprehensive and accessible program.
Middle School Athletics
The Middle School athletic program supports young athletes, building skills and sportsmanship as they experience competitive sports, many for the first time. Practices are held before and after school twice a week, and games take place after school and on weekends.
Fall sports include volleyball, swimming and soccer (Grade 6). Winter offerings include Cross Country, Basketball, Soccer, Tennis (Grade 8) and Track (Grade 6). Spring sports include Badminton (Grade 8), Softball (Grade 8), Track and Field, Baseball (Grade 8), and Basketball (Grade 6).
Arts
In the Arts, students are able to attend regional arts festivals in addition to the arts instruction offered during the school day. Every year, our Middle School students audition and are selected to attend a weekend arts festival hosted by one of our regional partner schools. The Middle School also puts on a dramatic production each spring.
Service Learning
Service Learning is an integral part of our commitment to nurture global citizens. Middle School students focus on a distinct service project at each grade level. Grade 8 students, for example, engage in an immersive week focused on Thai culture, participating in a variety of service projects.
Fun After School (FAS)
Fun After School activities are offered throughout the year. Teachers, parents and High School students sponsor and lead activities ranging from cooking to Model United Nations.
The Middle School Student Council plans events and activities for the student body, with all students invited to participate; there are no elections. The Student Council runs the weekly assembly and advocates for student issues.