ACS Athens (American Community Schools) vs International School of Athens
ACS Athens (American Community Schools) and International School of Athens are both in Athens, about 7 km apart. Both schools offer IB programmes, and ACS Athens (American Community Schools) also offers American and Advanced Placement (AP). Published annual fees are close, at €11,393 for ACS Athens (American Community Schools) and €8,700 - 15,000 for International School of Athens. Both take pupils from 3 to 18.
American Curriculum, IB (DP), Advanced Placement (AP)
Curriculum
IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Pupils
Pupils
1,206
Pupils
—
Typical class size
Typical class size
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Typical class size
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Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
1945
Opened
1972
Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
ACS Athens is located in the northern Athens suburb of Chalandri (Halandri), on the foothills of the Hymettus mountain, about 5 km from central Athens. The campus address is 129 Aghias Paraskevis Ave. & Kazantzaki Street, Halandri 15234, Athens, Greece. It is accessible by road and is near the Aghias Paraskevi metro station.
Location
42 Artemidos Street and Xenias Street, Kifissia, 145 62, Greece. The campus is located in Kifissia within the Athens metropolitan area. Bus service is provided in most parts of the greater Athens area, with central pickup points along routes.
Stages
Stages
Early Childhood (ages 3-5); Elementary School (Grades 1-5); Middle School (Grades 6-8); Academy (Grades 9-12); ACS Athens Virtual.
Stages
Kindergarten; Primary Years Programme (PYP); Middle Years Programme (MYP); High School; IB Diploma Programme (DP).
School type
School type
Private nonprofit international day school
School type
PRIVATE
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
Language Support ESL/EFL across all three schools; Optimal Learning Support provides accommodations for mild learning differences, subject to availability.
Additional learning support
The Learning Center provides psychological counseling and learning support for PreK–12, including psycho-educational counseling, referrals to specialists, and individualized educational plans for students with learning differences.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
American
Country affiliation
Greece
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
—
Religious affiliation
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School day structure
School day structure
The Middle School Bell Schedule for 2025-2026 shows the day starts at 9:00 and ends at 3:45, with multiple instructional periods, short passing times, and a lunch period; schedules vary by division.
School day structure
School day runs from 8:30 to 16:00, Monday to Friday.
Bus service details
Bus service details
Bus services are contracted by ACS Athens parents and cover virtually the entire Athens area. Buses are supervised by monitors and are not door-to-door. For 2025-2026, bus prices are €1,404 (Zone A), €1,860 (Zone B), and €2,100 (Zone C). After-school late buses are available for Grades 6-12 at no charge, with published routes; a Transportation Contract and Waiver forms are provided for families.
Bus service details
Bus service is provided in most parts of the greater Athens area; pick-up points are central along routes, with door-to-door service for primary students when possible. All school buses are owned by the school and drivers and bus monitors are school employees.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application / Admission Fees
- A non-refundable application fee is charged at the time the application is submitted: €100 for the first child and €50 for each additional child.
Tuition and mandatory fees (academic year 2026–2027)
Pre-School (PJ–JK) - Semester 1: €5,384.00; Semester 2: €3,666.00; Total: €9,050.00. - Tuition: €3,666.00 per semester (total €7,332.00). - Textbook fee: €90.00 (one semester charge shown as Semester 1). - Technology fee: €71.00 (one-time/semester charge shown as Semester 1). - Capital assessment fee: €297.00 (one-time/semester charge shown as Semester 1). - Registration fee payable for this entry grade: €221.00 (one-time). - Institutional tuition (per family): €341.00 (one-time). - Special Project Assessment (per family): €698.00 (one-time). - Payment due dates: August 26, 2026 and January 8, 2027.
Kindergarten (PJ–K transition shown separately) - Semester 1: €6,555.50; Semester 2: €4,837.50; Total: €11,393.00. - Tuition: €4,837.50 per semester (total €9,675.00). - Textbook fee: €90.00; Technology fee: €71.00; Capital assessment fee: €297.00. - Registration fee payable for this entry grade: €221.00. - Institutional tuition (per family): €341.00. - Special Project Assessment (per family): €698.00. - Payment due dates: August 26, 2026 and January 8, 2027.
Elementary School (Grades 1–5) - Semester 1: €7,639.50; Semester 2: €6,142.50; Total: €13,782.00. - Tuition: €6,142.50 per semester (total €12,285.00). - Textbook fee: €90.00; Technology fee: €71.00; Capital assessment fee: €297.00. - Registration fee payable for this entry grade: €221.00. - Institutional tuition (per family): €341.00. - Special Project Assessment (per family): €698.00. - Payment due dates: August 26, 2026 and January 8, 2027.
Middle School (Grades 6–8) - Semester 1: €8,224.00; Semester 2: €6,674.00; Total: €14,898.00. - Tuition: €6,674.00 per semester (total €13,348.00). - Textbook fee: €143.00; Technology fee: €71.00; Capital assessment fee: €297.00. - Registration fee payable for this entry grade: €221.00. - Institutional tuition (per family): €341.00. - Special Project Assessment (per family): €698.00. - Payment due dates: August 26, 2026 and January 8, 2027.
High School / Academy (Grades 9–12) - Semester 1: €9,008.00; Semester 2: €7,340.00; Total: €16,348.00. - Tuition: €7,340.00 per semester (total €14,680.00). - Textbook fee: €261.00; Technology fee: €71.00; Capital assessment fee: €297.00. - Registration fee payable for this entry grade: €221.00. - Institutional tuition (per family): €341.00. - Special Project Assessment (per family): €698.00. - Payment due dates: August 26, 2026 and January 8, 2027.
Registration fee schedule per new student (one-time, payable with first semester tuition) - Junior Kindergarten entry: €221 (continuing into Kindergarten remains €221; continuing into Grade 1 shows higher transition fee tiers). - Kindergarten entry: €221 (with specific transition-tier amounts shown for continuation into Grade 1). - Entry at Grades 1–12: €963 (one-time for those entry grades where applicable). - The registration fee is paid together with the first semester tuition.
Additional regular / optional fees and charges - Textbook fees: included as level-specific textbook charges listed above (amounts vary by division). - Technology fee: level-specific (commonly €71.00 shown for divisions). - Capital assessment fee: level-specific (commonly €297.00 shown for divisions). - Institutional tuition (per family) and Special Project Assessment (per family): family-level charges applied in Semester 1 for each enrolled family (amounts shown above). - Learning Commons / after-school academic support (per semester): elementary homework support and middle/academy homework and math support are charged per semester (examples: Elementary homework support €432–€1,050 per semester depending on days enrolled; Middle/Aca homework support €500–€1,500 per semester depending on days; math support values shown separately). Payments are to the school bank account by the first week of each semester. - Day Care (PJ–JK extended program until 15:45): €1,846.00 annually (€923.00 per semester). - Special Support Services (annual): EFL/ESL €1,576; Optimal Learning Support (Standard) €2,386; Consultation €595; ISP €238. Shadow teaching arranged separately between parent/guardian and shadow teacher. Special services are paid by semester on the same dates as tuition. - IB Program fees: IB Full Diploma (two-year) €1,400; IB Certificate fees: up to four classes €226; more than four classes €452. Greek IB Diploma equivalency annual program amounts are listed separately. IB fees are paid once with the first semester tuition. - Transportation (school bus): published zone-based annual fees apply (example published figures for the 2025–2026 transport year: Zone A €1,404; Zone B €1,860; Zone C €2,100). One-way, pre-school reduced rate and special terms may apply; bus contractor payment and no-refund-on-termination terms are in force for bus contracts. Payments to the bus contractor are handled separately from school tuition. - Summer program and activity fees: summer camp and sports camps are charged per session with their own published cancellation/refund rules and payment methods. Example summer camp session prices are published per session/week.
Billing schedule and payment terms - Standard semester payment dates for the tuition schedule: first-semester payments are due by August 26, 2026; second-semester payments are due by January 8, 2027 (semester due dates shown with the tuition figures). - Parents/legal guardians must pay tuition and fees in advance of each semester start. The school does not issue separate invoices for tuition amounts and dates; the cashier's office may be contacted for clarification. A finance charge of 0.5% per month applies to unpaid balances after the first day of each semester. Installment plans may be possible via the Cashier's office; an interest charge of 0.5% per month applies to installment payments. The school may refuse class attendance for students whose semester tuition and applicable fees have not been paid, and may initiate legal action for fees more than 30 days overdue.
Refund and withdrawal rules - Registration, capital, technology and institutional family fees are non-refundable. Special Services, Pre-School, Textbook and IB fees are non-refundable for the quarter in which a student withdraws; refunds may be given for subsequent full quarters not attended. Tuition is non-refundable for the quarter in which the student withdraws; refunds are applicable for following quarters that the student will not attend. Force majeure closures do not entitle payors to tuition refunds. Transportation contracts may carry separate no-refund terms for contract termination due to departure.
Boarding - ACS Athens operates as a non-boarding (day) school; boarding fees do not apply.
Fee payment options and bank/payment procedures - Accepted payment methods include direct bank deposits/wire transfers (Euro accounts with IBANs provided), DIAS electronic payments (Greek bank system), credit-card payments via the school Cashier POS or Alpha Bank secure web payment links (VISA/MasterCard), checks, and authorized web banking channels. Specific school bank IBANs, SWIFT/BIC details and US wire/Flagstar instructions are published for cashier use. DIAS payment transaction codes can be requested from the Cashier. Bank charges and currency-conversion differences are the payor's responsibility; USD payments are converted to EUR at the date of transaction. Payment details and cashier procedures are handled by the Finance Office / Cashier's office.
Other practical notes on fees - Textbooks issued by the Bookstore must be returned at year end; lost or damaged textbooks are charged at replacement cost. Bookstore and activity-specific payment instructions apply for after-school programs and sports academies. Learning Commons and other co-curricular tuitions are payable per semester to the school bank account by the first week of each semester.
(End of fees overview)
Fee details
Application / Registration fees
- Registration fee (one-off) for KG – Grade 12: EUR 1,700. - Registration fee (one-off) for Junior Pre‑KG & Pre‑KG: EUR 600.
Tuition fees by year group (amounts per installment and annual total)
Payment is split into four installments labeled: In advance, Sept. 04, Nov. 06, Jan. 15. The installment amounts and totals below are stated in euros.
- IB examination fees (Grade 12 only): EUR 1,200. - e‑Assessment fee (Grade 10 only): EUR 400. - Achievement testing: EUR 400. - Learning Centre fees: Learning Centre 1 EUR 1,700; Learning Centre 2 EUR 2,700. - School transportation (bus) fees for KG – Grade 12 range by route from EUR 2,100 to EUR 2,800 (specific route charges listed below). Junior Pre‑KG / Pre‑KG bus fee: EUR 2,100. - Route 1 (Kifissia, N. Erythrea, Kastri, Ekali): EUR 2,100. - Route 2 (Marousi, Filothei, Psychiko, N. Iraklio, Chalandri, Melissia): EUR 2,300. - Route 3 (Dionysos, Anoixi, Ag. Stefanos, Pendeli, Thrakomakedones): EUR 2,400. - Route 4 (Kolonaki, Cholargos, Papagou, Ag. Paraskevi, Vyronas, Peristeri): EUR 2,600. - Route 5 (Kallithea, N. Smyrni, Faliro): EUR 2,800. - Route 6 (Glyfada, Vari, Vouliagmeni, Voula): EUR 2,800.
Discounts and prepayment
- Sibling discounts: 5% for the second child; 7% for the third child; 10% for the fourth child or more. - Alumni discount: 5%. - Prepayment discount: 2% for payments made by July 31 (applies to prepayment conditions described by the school).
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Tuition is billed in four installments with the following payment points: In advance, Sept. 04, Nov. 06, Jan. 15. Installment amounts are those listed under each year group above. - Accepted payment methods: credit card (VISA, MasterCard, AMEX, UnionPay) and bank remittance / direct deposit to the school's beneficiary account. Bank details provided for remittance include Alpha Bank (SWIFT/BIC CRBAGRAA, IBAN GR60 014 0342 0342 0023 2000 2338) and Eurobank (SWIFT/BIC ERBKGRAA, IBAN GR52 026 0284 0000 0302 0026 2143).
Boarding fees
- Boarding is not offered; the school operates as a day school. No boarding fees apply.
Uniform and other routine costs
- The school uniform must be purchased from the designated supplier LB Creations; school uniform items and PE kit are required. (Uniform pricing is set by the supplier.) - Additional routine costs that may apply during the year include personal supplies, optional trips, extracurricular activities, and any specific course materials or examination fees (for example, IB exam fees listed above).
Refund information (applicable items and conditions)
- IB-related registration and subject fee rules: registration and late subject fees are generally non‑refundable once incurred after the first registration deadline; subject and core fees may be refunded to the school if a candidate withdraws between the first and second registration deadlines. Specific conditions and deadlines apply to refunds for IB subject/core fees and retake registrations.
Summary of key payment options
- Credit card: VISA, MasterCard, AMEX, UnionPay. - Bank transfer / remittance: Alpha Bank (IBAN GR60 014 0342 0342 0023 2000 2338, SWIFT CRBAGRAA); Eurobank (IBAN GR52 026 0284 0000 0302 0026 2143, SWIFT ERBKGRAA).
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
The school offers the American Diploma (MSA-CESS accredited) with a requirement of twenty-six Carnegie Units earned over eight semesters for the Academy Diploma. The International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB Diploma) is offered for grades 11–12, with six subject groups and core requirements (Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, and CAS). The Advanced Placement (AP) Program is available with AP courses such as AP Calculus, AP Environmental Science, and AP Spanish. The language of instruction is English, with Greek taught as a second language.
Curriculum details
ISA provides an English-speaking, international environment from Kindergarten through High School. The Primary School follows the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle School follows the Middle Years Programme (MYP), and the High School offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) or the ISA High School Diploma. ISA is an IB World School and is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA-CESS). The ISA High School Diploma is recognized by the Greek Ministry of Education as equivalent to the Greek apolytirio. English is the language of instruction, with English as an Additional Language (EAL) support where needed. The DP is offered alongside the College Preparatory Programme (CP) for students who pursue CP.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
9:1.
Student teacher ratio
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Exam results
Exam results
The IB Diploma is awarded by the IBO after May external examinations, with assessments that include both internal and external components and a scoring system that culminates in the 1–7 scale per subject and a total score; a minimum of 24 points is typically required for the IB Diploma. 95%–100% of ACS Athens students are accepted to U.S., British, and other universities worldwide, with scholarships totaling about $1.3 million awarded to the Class of 2022.
Exam results
The University Placement Office reports a strong higher education performance. Approximately 95% of ISA graduates are accepted to higher education institutions worldwide. Notable destinations include Imperial College London, King's College London, UCL, McGill University, Berkeley, Stanford University, the University of Edinburgh and Erasmus University. These outcomes reflect the school's preparation for university study.
Higher education progression
Higher education progression
University acceptances are reported at 95%–100% of students, with approximately $1.3 million in college scholarships awarded to the Class of 2022.
Higher education progression
Graduates pursue higher education at universities around the world. The University Placement Office provides guidance on applications, transcripts and personal statements. Notable destinations include Imperial College London, King's College London, UCL, McGill University, Berkeley, Stanford, the University of Edinburgh and Erasmus University. These outcomes reflect the school's focus on preparing students for international higher education.
Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
The ACS Athens Scholar Diploma is a four-year program awarded to students who complete authentic ACS Athens honors courses, a Senior Honors Research Project, and meaningful community service; it includes four integrated interdisciplinary courses and may include International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement courses.
Gifted and talented
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Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
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Social & emotional learning
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Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
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Special educational needs (SEN)
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English as an additional language
English as an additional language
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English as an additional language
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
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Mental wellbeing
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding
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Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
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Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
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Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
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Academic facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
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Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
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History
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Community
Community
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Community
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Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
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Academic & intellectual
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Arts & creative
Arts & creative
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Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
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Cultural & language
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Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies
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Community & service
Community & service
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Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
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Language provision
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Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching
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Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
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Accreditations
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Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
ACS Athens accepts applications throughout the academic year. The Application Process at a glance includes five steps: Step 1: Submit an Application Form for each applicant with the required documents and pay a non-refundable application fee of 100€ for the first child and 50€ for each additional child. Step 2: Submit required documentation. Step 3: Arrange Admissions Testing for Grades 6-12 or Interview/Assessment for Grades PJ-5. Step 4: The Application file is reviewed by the Admissions Committee and decisions are communicated by email. Step 5: Registration and scheduling after admission. Admissibility is determined by how well the student aligns with the school's academic standards and space availability; factors include prior academic history, disciplinary or socio-emotional issues, and classroom size. ACS Athens reserves the right to deny admission if the needs cannot be met. All applicants entering Grades 6-12 must take English and Math tests (on campus or online). English proficiency by grade is: Grade 6: CEFR A2; Grade 7: A2; Grade 8: B1; Grade 9: B1; Grade 10: B2; Grades 11-12: C1. The U.S. High School Diploma can be awarded to transfer students who have spent at least two years in the American education system. Academic credit transfer allows up to seven credits per grade level for transfers into Grades 9-10. IB Diploma Applicants must meet the ACS Athens American High School Diploma credit requirements and the C1 English Proficiency level.
Admissions
The school offers the IB Diploma Program. The ISA Scholarship Program awards two IB scholarships for the 2025-2026 school year. To apply for the scholarships, applicants submit the Scholarship Application Form and supporting documents: two Letters of Recommendation from Grade 10 teachers; School Transcripts for Grades 7-9; the final grades for the first term of Grade 10; language certificates if applicable; copies of other records of achievement; and a passport/ID document. Shortlisting for the scholarship considers the applicant's dossier (grades, Letters of Recommendation, transcripts and other records). On the day of the examination, candidates must present identity documents. The scholarship assessment is through written examinations in English and Mathematics. The English examination tests language ability; the Mathematics examination tests the Grade 7-9 material and 3/4 of the Grade 10 syllabus. The examinations are held at ISA's Artemidos 42 & Xenias Street, Kifissia 14562. Exam dates include English (29 March 2025) and Mathematics (29 March 2025). The syllabus examined includes material from Grades 7-9 and the current Grade 10 curriculum. Shortlisted candidates are notified whether they advance to the examination stage.
Scholarships
Scholarships
The Christos M. Perakis Academic Scholarship exists at ACS Athens. Eligibility requires admission to ACS Athens before scholarship consideration. Criteria include academic excellence with a GPA of 3.5 or 18 and above; Greek school attendance and Greek citizenship; Fluent in English; Demonstrates leadership; intends to pursue studies abroad in Global Management, Communications or Computer Sciences; Demonstrates conscious citizenship; Demonstrates financial need; Provides a personal statement; Finalists participate in an in-person interview. This scholarship refers to the 2026-2027 academic year (begins September 2026) and is for high school students only (grades 9-12). It can be applied toward tuition at ACS Athens.
Scholarships
The school awards two IB Diploma Program scholarships for the 2025-2026 academic year. Applicants must complete the Scholarship Application Form and submit at least two Letters of Recommendation from Grade 10 teachers, School Transcripts for Grades 7-9, the first-term Grade 10 transcript, language certificates if applicable, copies of other records of achievement, and a passport/ID document. Shortlisting is based on the applicant's dossier. The two scholarships are awarded through written examinations in English and Mathematics; candidates must bring official ID to the exam. The English exam assesses language ability; the Mathematics exam covers the Grades 7-9 material and part of the Grade 10 syllabus. Examinations take place at Artemidos 42 & Xenias Street, Kifissia 14562. For reference, the English and Mathematics exams were scheduled on Saturday, 29 March 2025.
