Dear Friends,
Two signature events in the life of ACS occur every May
and September in front of Sanders Hall: celebrating
our graduating seniors and welcoming our incoming
Prep Class. Each ceremony reflects our unique mission
and the change and continuity that characterize the
work of the College. There is so much that lies behind
these special occasions. This Annual Report seeks to
provide some of that background, celebrating what
our graduates, our students, and our community have
achieved in the year just past and looking forward to
the future as we are now well launched into the 2019-
2020 school year.
Our newest alumni, the ACS Class of 2019, are
an impressive group of young people, already
accomplished in so many areas: science and
technology, the performing arts, mathematics, the
humanities, sports, oratory and debate, civic and
social life. Their academic records at ACS were truly
exceptional, with 37 graduating summa cum laude,
26 magna cum laude, and another 18 cum laude. And
the achievements of this class were emblematic of
amazing accomplishments and performances by
students throughout ACS in the arts, academics, sports, and across all areas of school life.
Over the past year, our students distinguished themselves in local, regional, national, and international academic
competitions and events, ranging from national physics to national poetry competitions, from the national IT
Olympiad to the Hack for Innovation Hackathon in Robotics, from area football championships to international
basketball competitions. ACS students not only excel at such competitions, they organize and lead them as well.
Among the many events produced and directed by our students this past year were the first Model UN Conference
held at ACS, the ACS Debate Tournament, the ACS TEDx Event, the ACS Career Fair, and FISSION, our student-run
international science fair.
In all that they do, our students continue to be inspired by the dedication and enthusiasm of ACS faculty and staff.
Over the past two years as a faculty we have focused on increasing the use of educational technology and project-
based learning; expanding and deepening the use of formative assessment; and establishing teacher learning
communities – that is, professional development discussion groups – throughout the school. We owe our faculty
and staff a continuing debt of gratitude for the extraordinary contributions they make as a diverse, talented,
creative, and energetic group of men and women committed to the education of young people.
My colleagues on the faculty and staff and I are immensely grateful in return for how our community has made
possible the noteworthy achievements of our students and our school. This Annual Report acknowledges and
reflects the many ways our community has supported the mission and work of the College. I want to note the
institutional and philanthropic leadership of our dedicated Board of Trustees and in particular the role the Board
played in implementing a much-needed compensation increase for our Bulgarian faculty and staff. We are also
so grateful for the time, talent, and financial contributions we receive in addition from so many parent and alumni
volunteers.
It is no secret that tuition alone does not cover the cost of an ACS education. Thanks to our exceptional faculty
and students, amazing things continue to happen at ACS. In order to provide the extensive programs that we do,
we rely on the generous donations, grants, and recurring gifts in support of teaching and learning, special projects,
and financial aid that we have received over the years. In addition to generous gifts from alumni, parents, trustees,
and friends, this past year we also received wonderful annual gifts from ACS students, grandparents, and faculty/
staff. We are so grateful for all the support we receive; every gift makes a difference. To all of you so involved and
invested in the success and wellbeing of ACS, I say thank you for your faithful support!
Sincerely,
Richard T. Ewing, Jr.
President
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