Past: 1972

The American Community School of Abu Dhabi (ACS) first started with 3 teachers and 27 students in the small temporary building shown above.

For their first field trip, ACS students fly down to Dubai to compete with fellow students in Dubai.

In 1974, construction of a new campus began on land generously donated to ACS by the late Founder of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Our campus in Al Bateen was completed in 1975 and contained 8 new classrooms, a kindergarten and a large library. A school with a capacity for 200 students and space for future growth.

NASA astronauts Vance Brand, Thomas Stafford and Donald Slayton visit ACS students after a nine-day mission to orbit the Earth.

The late Queen Elizabeth II visits ACS students and staff.

The ACS community grows quickly and construction begins to expand our campus.

Alex Haley, the author of Roots, speaks to students about African heritage

Santa Claus lands at the Christmas Bazaar (Holiday Extravaganza) in a helicopter sleigh.

Mohammed Ali, U.S. heavyweight boxing champion of the world, visits ACS

Grades 7&8 accredited by US Middle States Schools Association (MSA)

School dismissal from the current-day middle school courtyard.

ACS cheerleaders pose with our old school mascot, Thunder the Falcon.

The ACS high school building opens after over a year of construction with three levels including classrooms, science labs, art and music rooms and a cafeteria.

ACS sends its first delegation to MUN at the Hague International.

ACS officially opens its first 25 meter swimming pool.

Falcon school spirit on the original gymnasium floor.

South Korean Ambassador, Mr. Kum, visits ACS on United Nations Day.

The middle school courtyard undergoes a green transformation into the space we know today.

Jim Valley, a folk-rock singer and songwriter, performs for ACS students.

The late President H.H. Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan granted an adjacent plot of land to accommodate ACS’ annually increasing enrollment, introducing modern science and computer labs, and expanding ACS to 3 hectares, twice its original size.

Construction begins on the new elementary school building.

Mustafa Al Akkad, a famous film producer known for the Halloween franchise, visits ACS.

Mary Beardwood, author of The Children’s Encyclopedia of Arabia, visits ACS.

Official Opening of the Sheikh Khalifa Elementary School Building. New gym opens and the ACS mascot is officially changed to Sandy the Sand Viper

The climbing wall is installed at the ACS gymnasium.

Our current mascot, Sandy the Sand Viper, boosting school spirit at a baseball game at ACS.

Kathleen Duey, a famous children’s book author, works with young students at ACS.

Elementary School students learn computer skills at the computer lab.

First year of the International Baccalaureate program in High School

Ibtisam Barakat, a famous Middle Eastern author, visits students at ACS.

Peter Murray, author of the Mokee Joe book series, works with students at ACS.

Sara Holbrook, an American author, visits ACS to work with students on their poetry.

ACS Cub Scout Pack 36 explores the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier.

The first year ACS students competed in the Varsity Sailing League at the Abu Dhabi Sailing and Yacht Club.

Legendary artist Christo, known for large-scale, site-specific environmental installations, visits ACS and meets with students

ACS organizes its first TEDx Youth event where our students and faculty presented independent TED Talks.

The ACS athletics program forms its first golf team.

Jane Goodall visits ACS to speak about environmentalism.

CNN visits ACS students to broadcast their #MyFreedomDay project to spread awareness of modern slavery and human trafficking.

The ACS FabLab transforms into an interactive technology and innovation experience on Discovery Day.

The Backstage Techttoos Studios opens for self-directed technology learning.

Honorable Helen Clark, Former Prime Minister of New Zealand and Administrator of the UN Development Group, meets with ACS middle schoolers.

The Elementary School library opens the Innovation Lab extension for K-5 students to learn foundational technology skills.

ACS celebrates its golden anniversary of 50 years of excellence in education.