Dear Families,

ACS is a standards-based school. We have adopted standards for each discipline that teachers and teaching teams use to determine what they will teach and assess across all three of our sections. Each set of standards that we have adopted are based on research and provide our students with a North-American style of education. At ACS we use the Common Core Standards (CCSS) for Math and English Language Arts. 

What are Common Core Standards?

Simply put, Common Core Standards are a set of clear and consistent learning goals for what students in the United States should know and be able to do in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics, from kindergarten through high school. These standards help ensure that all students, regardless of their teacher, have access to the same high-quality education. Many international schools have also adopted these standards to drive their curriculum. 

Why are they important?

Before Common Core, curriculum and expectations varied widely across schools in the US and American International schools. This inconsistency created challenges for students who moved schools or districts, potentially leaving them behind or ahead in their learning. Common Core provides a uniform framework, ensuring that students receive a consistent and rigorous education. Additionally, they help teachers around the world to have common conversations and shared resources that support students and learning. 

Viable and Guaranteed Curriculum:

These standards act as a roadmap, outlining the essential knowledge and skills students need to succeed in college, career, and life. They identify core concepts and skills, ensuring that valuable instructional time is spent on foundational elements that build upon each other throughout their education. This creates a viable curriculum, guaranteeing that every child has access to the same essential learning opportunities. It also helps us to ensure that students are ready for what they will encounter in the next grade or section because these standards are clearly articulated across the grade levels in developmentally appropriate ways. 

Modernizing Teaching Practices:

Common Core has also spurred modernization in teaching practices. Teachers are no longer simply delivering information; they are focusing on active learning, encouraging critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration. This shift towards deeper understanding prepares students for the complexities of the 21st century.

Remember, Common Core is not a curriculum, but a set of standards. It's up to our dedicated teaching teams to design engaging lessons and activities that bring these standards to life. We believe this collaborative approach will ensure a brighter future for all students at ACS.

Yours,

Michelle

How to Tell Who Your Kid is Talking to Online - and How to Keep Their Convos Cool

Please note that these events were erroneously posted and you should take them off your calendar if you had added them.

Oct 23 - Helping Children Deal with their Feelings (ES and MS)

Nov 6 - MAP - Learn more the assessment and hot to read your child’s report. (Grades 2- 10)

Dec 4 - Hour of Code -- Making Code Come to Life (ES)

Feb 5 - Conceptual Learning (We will offer a webinar for parents and this meeting will be a time to discuss what we have learned and talk about what conceptual learning looks like at ACS)

April 15 - Math Games - Learn about how we use math games to help students become better mathematicians. 

May 29 - The Power of Play