Dr. Jeff Wilusz
This week marks a significant moment for our High School community as our Seniors reach a major milestone with their final day of classes today. Simultaneously, many of our underclassmen are wrapping up their AP exams and transitioning into the final phase of the academic year. Your encouragement, flexibility, and partnership as parents have been remarkable during this time, and we are grateful for your support as we emphasize that meaningful learning and real-world transitions help shape character and deepen understanding. As we look toward the final stretch, we remain committed to continuous improvement and welcome your feedback to help us refine these end-of-year experiences for future students.
To support our students during this transition, please note that once an AP exam is completed, that specific class period becomes a study hall for the remainder of the year. We have established several flexibility guidelines regarding campus attendance: if an AP class falls at the end of the day, students may leave campus after checking in with their teacher for a blue pass, while those with two back-to-back AP classes may leave at the start of the first period. This flexibility extends to study halls adjacent to AP classes, which students are not required to attend, and to afternoon AP classes, which allow students to leave campus starting at lunchtime. On Tuesdays, students may leave at 11:20 AM or 1:15 PM, depending on the schedule. Finally, if the school day begins with an AP class, students may arrive in time for their first non-AP course, provided they check in at the High School or Counseling Office upon arrival.
Assessment Week Update - Please note below that there have been a couple of adjustments to the schedule for assessment week (last week of school):
ACS Book Talks - The Learning Commons invites you to watch the following:
College Counseling Program
Action Item: Log into your College Board account to order your AP scores.
Deadline: Ensure they are sent directly to your chosen institution as soon as possible to avoid any registration delays.
Refine Your List: Continue researching and polishing your balanced college list. Aim for a healthy mix of "reach," "realistic," and "reasonable" schools that truly fit your interests and goals.
Draft Your Essays: Use this time to get those first drafts on paper. Your future self will thank you for having the "heavy lifting" done before classes resume after the summer holiday.
Request Recommendations: If you haven’t done so already, make sure both requests are formalized in Maia.
Finalize Summer Plans: If you haven't set your summer plans yet, now is the time. Whether it’s a part-time job, a volunteer project, or a local internship, aim for a productive summer. Look for opportunities where you can learn something new about yourself or the world around you.
Keep up the great work, everyone—the finish line is in sight! All students and parents are reminded that they are always welcome to schedule counselor meetings. Grades 9&10 parents with Ms. Kate (ktouchtonleonard@acsamman.edu.jo) and Grades 11&12 with Ms. Kurdi (rkurdi@acsamman.edu.jo).
Social/Emotional Counseling Program
Counselor’s Corner: Persistence and Transitions
As we close out the second week of AP testing, the atmosphere in the High School has been one of incredible focus. I want to commend our students for the remarkable persistence they have shown, balancing the completion of their year-end coursework with the demands of these rigorous exams. Your dedication during such a complex semester is truly inspiring.
Looking Toward the Future: Course Selection
Amidst the busy testing schedule, I have been working closely with our 9th and 10th graders to select their courses for the upcoming academic year. It has been a pleasure to witness how thoughtful our students are being throughout this process. They have spent significant time considering their personal strengths and interests, as well as the specific requirements needed to access the academic pathways they find most compelling. This level of intentionality bodes well for their continued success at ACS.
A Note to Our Evacuated Students
We have received confirmation that our students currently abroad will complete the remainder of this school year remotely, with the final day of remote learning set for May 21.
While we have deeply missed your physical presence in our hallways, please know that your spirit has remained a constant part of our community. We have felt your engagement from afar, and it has been vital to the life of the school this year. For those of you returning to Amman, we are already looking forward to seeing you in person next year. For those moving on to new schools, we are with you in spirit as you cross this finish line.
Celebrating our Seniors
This marks the final week of classes for our Seniors. It is bittersweet to see this chapter close; we will miss their leadership and energy tremendously. However, that sadness is balanced by the immense excitement we feel for their next steps. Seniors, as you wrap up your high school careers this week, take a moment to reflect on the incredible resilience you have built.
The Home Stretch for 9th, 10th, and 11th Grade
For our underclassmen, you are almost there! As the finish line nears, now is the time to lean into your healthy routines:
Stay Focused: Keep your momentum steady for these final assignments.
Prioritize Rest: Managing your energy is key to finishing the year with a sense of well-being.
We are so proud of every one of you. Let’s continue to support each other through these final milestones.
As always, if you have any questions or would like to discuss anything further, please don’t hesitate to contact me at: ktouchtonleonard@acsamman.edu.jo
Our HS Counseling Team
Ms. Ruba Kurdi: College Counselor rkurdi@acsamman.edu.jo
Ms. Kate Touchton-Leonard ktouchtonleonard@acsamman.edu.jo
Ms. Ellen Hindeleh: Administrative Assistant ehindeleh@acsamman.edu.jo
2026-2027 - Activities Department Preliminary Information
Dear ACS Families and Students,
This guide covers everything the ACS Activities Program has to offer for 2026–2027 – from competitive athletics and aquatics to drama, MUN, robotics, and beyond. Use it to plan ahead, understand what's available, and find the right fit for your child.
Activities are a core part of learning at ACS, not an add-on. This is your starting point.
Click here to access the 2026-2027 - Activities Department Preliminary Information
END OF AEPs and Feedback Form
Just a quick note to let you know that AEP Session III is wrapping up with programs concluding on Saturday, May 10. This has been a wonderful session, and we are especially grateful to our students, coaches, and program leaders for pushing through what has been a season with its share of uncertainty. Your continued support and flexibility have made a real difference.
We would love to hear from you. Please take a few minutes to complete our feedback form using the link below — your input goes a long way in shaping future sessions.
Here is the form for reference.
For your planning ahead, here are next year's AEP session dates:
Session I: September 13 – November 12, 2025
Session II: November 29 – February 11, 2026
Session III: March 14 – May 10, 2026
More details on Session I sign-ups and programming will be shared at the start of the new school year.
Thank you again for being such a supportive AEP community - we look forward to another great year ahead.
ACS Activities Program: 2025–2026 - Stay up to date with all athletics, arts, and activities information by visiting our ACS Activities Website Here
HS Bus Riders Reminder - If you need to use the late bus but are not on the late bus roster, complete the form before 12:00 PM the same day.
Late Bus Sign-Up Form. - The late bus departs at 4:45 PM. Students not registered will not be accommodated.
May 4-15 - AP Exams
May 11 - Spring Concert (5:00 - 6:00 PM)
May 13 - Activities & Athletic Awards Celebration (5:00 - 7:00 PM)
The HS Weekly Update is sent out to students each weekend and updated daily. Feel free to bookmark the link so that you can see what is going on in the HS from the students' perspective.
Help Navigating PowerSchool - The How to View Grades from Parent Portal is a quick reference to help guide you through the intricacies of PowerSchool. As always, if you notice something “off” or have questions, please reach out to teachers after speaking through it with your child(ren) and they can help.
Please find the HS PS Tutorial recording to give you a quick guide to help you navigate PowerSchool and generate some fruitful conversations at home.