The American College of Sofia

Here are some interesting things about our school:

• It is the oldest American school outside of the United States. It was founded, as you can see in the picture, in 1860.
  
• However, in the 1940's, after Russia gained control of most of Eastern Europe at the conclusion of the second world war, the school was closed. It did not reopen until 1992.
  
• During the communist era, ACS became the primary operational base for the Bulgarian KGB.
• The offices in the English Dept. were rumored to be the soundproof chambers used for interogations and, perhaps, a little splash of torture.
• When the school reopened in the early 90's, the government only gave back about 1/2 of the original campus. The remaining land was kept by the government and is still currently being used as Bulgarian police training grounds/police academy.
• In the woods and fields across from my classroom the Bulgarian police will run live drills using guns filled with blanks.
  
• In an abandoned, unfinished building next to campus, one that stands 8 or 10 stories high, the police practice hostage situations and can often be seen repelling down the side of the structure.

Here is a picture of my classroom from the inside. Notice the columns outside the windows.



And here is one from the outside; I am on the second floor.



Not bad, huh?

Some more interesting facts about our school:

• The Bulgarians are smart - average SAT scores are about 1400 our of 1600. (McKenna says that is probably a higher score than most of you earned :) )
  
• When the school reopened in 1992, about 3,000 Bulgarians showed up to take the entrance exam: only about 80 were accepted.
  
• This year, 600 kids showed up for 140 spots.
  
• These are all kids about to enter the 8th grade; the 8th grade year here is an intensive English only year.
  
• Students who score the highest on the entrance exam, and demonstrate financial need, earn partial scholarships to the school.
  
• This year, five kids were awarded full scholarships for their entire ACS career - all five years - based upon their scores and financial need.
  
• ACS is considered the best school in Bulgaria.
  
• Our school colors are Purple and White.

Here are some more pics of the campus:


This is the space behind the main buildings. In the distance are the campus housing villas.


Here is the central meeting point for students on the campus.


A garden dedicated to a student who passed away a few years ago.