College Counseling Program

Juniors Explore Career Pathways 

This week, 11th graders engaged with the Interest Profiler on MaiaLearning. This hands-on activity helped students connect their personal interests with potential career fields. They took a deep dive into specific professions—investigating required skills, daily responsibilities, educational pathways, and training options to begin shaping their long-term goals. Ask your junior about this activity and discuss the careers and resources at home over dinner or on the weekend.

Seniors Push Ahead on Applications 

12th graders are continuing their individual meetings with Ms. Kurdi as college prep accelerates. Work remains focused on completing Common App and UCAS applications. Seniors are strongly encouraged to carefully review and follow the checklist outlined in the September Advice email to keep their application process smooth and on schedule.

Parent Connections 

A sincere thank you to the parents who have already met with Ms. Kurdi! Strong family collaboration makes a difference, and I look forward to connecting with all remaining parents in the coming weeks.

Social/Emotional Counseling Program

What a joyful and milestone week for our community! We are absolutely thrilled to welcome the first group of returning ordered departure (OD) students, as well as new students whose arrivals were previously delayed, back onto the ACS campus. Having your energy, voices, and presence back in our hallways makes our school family feel so much more complete.

While this is a moment of celebration, we also recognize that returning or moving to Amman under these circumstances is a tremendous transition for the entire family system. Re-establishing routines, navigating new academic environments, and settling into community life after time away takes time, patience, and care.

To help navigate this shift, I have sent out Transition Resources via email to both our newly arriving and returning families. Please take a moment to review these strategies together at home.

Academically and support-wise, it was another busy week across all grade levels:

• Grades 9 & 10: Completed their fall MAP testing this week—great job to all our 9th and 10th graders for their focus and effort!

• Grades 11 & 12: I hosted 1:1 check-ins with our Juniors and Seniors to see how they are settling into the year and managing their coursework.

Transitions look different for every child. If you feel your student may need additional support, or if you would like to discuss social-emotional resources and referrals, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly at ktouchtonleonard@acsamman.edu.jo.

Whether you are settling back in or adjusting to the ongoing rhythm of the term, I wish you all a safe, restful weekend.

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

Activities Schedules

All schedules for all sports and activities, as well as updates, will be posted on the Activities Calendar — your go-to spot for the most current schedule information.

After-School Exploration Program (AEP)  Fall 2026 Registration

Welcome to our new AEP sign-up platform. Please read through the details below before registering.

After-School Exploration Program Description:

The Exploration Program (former ASA program) runs for 8 sessions, about an hour each week. Students get a chance to try new experiences in a fun, low-commitment setting. Unlike the Deep Dive Afterschool Activities, Exploration does not include multiple weekly practices or a culminating event.

Key dates

1. 1. Registration opens: August 30 - 3 PM

   2. Registration closes: September 6 - 4 PM

   3. Placements shared: September 9

   4. Program begins: week of September 13

   5. Program ends: November 12

Before you register

1. Full list of offerings: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SATYvl7JqBHrhUwtFdb78EwUJWqOhR4xdu3cpuLYnTk/edit?usp=sharing (a PowerSchool sign-up link is included at the top of the doc)

2. Sign up directly on PowerSchool: https://psforms.acsamman.edu.jo/aep 

3. AEP calendar: https://activities.acsamman.edu.jo/aeps-clubs 

How placement works

Please select three activity choices when registering, in all divisions. Placement counts differ by division: ES students are placed in up to two activities, while MS and HS students are guaranteed at least one, to leave room for sports and Deep Dive commitments. If your child only wants one activity, list it as all three choices.

A note on the new platform

The sign-up platform only shows what's available for your child's grade level, not the full list of offerings. For MS and HS, if your child is already signed up for sports or other activities, please cross-check their schedule before registering to avoid conflicts.

Bus riders during activities

1. 1. ES buses depart at 4:15 pm sharp.

   2. MS/HS buses depart at 4:45 pm sharp.

   3. Students will not be on their regular morning/afternoon bus. Assignments change daily based on how many students ride the AEP buses.

Changing placements

You can change placements yourself up until the September 6 deadline, after which they lock. If you need a change after that, email us, and we'll accommodate it if space is available.

Spots are limited, and some activities fill quickly, so we recommend registering early. Placements are confirmed once registration closes, and you'll receive your child's schedule on September 9.

ACS Activities Program: 2026–2027

You can visit the Activities Page on the ACS Activities website, which will always have the most up-to-date details as things evolve. The InfoBoard offers a great starting point, while the website reflects ongoing updates throughout the year.

Let’s make 2026–2027 our best year yet. Bring your energy, your commitment, and your Scorpion pride!