American English Academy vs The American College of Sofia

	A American English Academy Sofia, Bulgaria	T The American College of Sofia Sofia, Bulgaria
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year €55 - 15,600	Fees / year €10,040 - 28,600
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 13 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Curriculum	Curriculum American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP)	Curriculum American Curriculum, IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 200	Pupils 954
Typical class size	Typical class size 10	Typical class size 19
Instruction language	Instruction language English, Bulgarian	Instruction language English, Bulgarian
Opened	Opened 1992	Opened 1860
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Lozen Area, Sofia, Bulgaria; campus in the foothills outside the city near Lozen, with views toward the mountains.	Location The American College of Sofia is in Sofia, Bulgaria, at Floyd Black Lane, Mladost 2, 1799. The campus is located in the Mladost district and is accessible by public transport. By bus, take #76 or #111 with a transfer if needed, and follow local landmarks such as the HIT store and the yellow gate at the end of the street to reach ACS. The campus is near the MVR Police Academy Simeonovo area as a reference point.
Stages	Stages Pre-kindergarten through Grade 12.	Stages Grades 9–12. All students pursue the USA High School Diploma Programme (Grades 9–12). Bulgarian students in Grades 11–12 enter the Bulgarian Diploma Programme (academic stream) with profiles such as Humanities, Foreign Languages, Mathematics & Physics, Software & Hardware Sciences, Natural Sciences, or Entrepreneurship. International students participate in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.
School type	School type Day, coeducational international school.	School type Private, coeducational, language high school. The college is described as a private, language-based American-style preparatory school offering American and Bulgarian/IB diplomas.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix About 200 students from 35+ countries; 40% international, 60% local.	Pupil nationality mix Bulgarian students make up about 96% of the student body, with international students comprising about 4%.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support Student Support Team provides counseling and programs for social-emotional development and mental health. Services include Confidential Individual Counseling, Group Counseling, Academic Support Groups, Health Courses, and mentorship for clubs and events; the team collaborates with faculty and families.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation —	Country affiliation Affiliated with the United States as the oldest American educational institution outside the USA.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation No religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details Public transit serves the campus area. Bus routes include #76 (to Mladost) and #111; a subway connection can be used with a transfer to reach ACS. Directions note landmarks and a gate at the end of the street for campus entry.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application and one‑time fees - Application fee: EUR 450, due upon student application; this fee is non‑refundable (siblings of current AEA students are exempt from the application fee). - Wait‑pool registration (when applicable): EUR 55. - Capital fee (new students only): EUR 1,950, payable with the contract signing; this is a one‑time fee and is non‑refundable. The capital fee covers educational materials (books, models, etc.) for the student's entire period at AEA. Annual tuition fees (school year 2026/27) and standard term breakdown All tuition figures are stated per academic year. The school uses a standard payment plan of three installments (50% / 30% / 20%) with due dates shown in the Billing section below. Per‑installment amounts shown here follow that split. - Kindergarten K3–K5: Annual tuition EUR 10,500. Installments: Payment 1 (50%) EUR 5,250; Payment 2 (30%) EUR 3,150; Payment 3 (20%) EUR 2,100. - Advanced Kindergarten (K6): Annual tuition EUR 12,200. Installments: Payment 1 EUR 6,100; Payment 2 EUR 3,660; Payment 3 EUR 2,440. - Grade 1–7, International Program: Annual tuition EUR 14,500. Installments: Payment 1 EUR 7,250; Payment 2 EUR 4,350; Payment 3 EUR 2,900. - Grade 1–7, Dual Language Program: Annual tuition EUR 15,600. Installments: Payment 1 EUR 7,800; Payment 2 EUR 4,680; Payment 3 EUR 3,120. - Grade 8: Annual tuition EUR 14,600. Installments: Payment 1 EUR 7,300; Payment 2 EUR 4,380; Payment 3 EUR 2,920. - Grades 9–10: Annual tuition EUR 12,200. Installments: Payment 1 EUR 6,100; Payment 2 EUR 3,660; Payment 3 EUR 2,440. - Grades 11–12: Annual tuition EUR 13,400. Installments: Payment 1 EUR 6,700; Payment 2 EUR 4,020; Payment 3 EUR 2,680. Billing schedule and payment terms - Standard payment plan: three installments — 50% due by March 31, 30% due by June 30, and 20% due by December 15. Returning students' first installment is scheduled for March 31. New students' first installment is due within one month after enrollment. - For more than one child enrolled, the family receives a 5% discount on the fee with the lower amount. All fees listed are VAT inclusive. Boarding fees - AEA is a day school (coeducational day international school); there are no boarding services or boarding fees. Other costs and optional services (typical annual fees) - School meals (breakfast and lunch): K6–Grade 3: EUR 1,656; Grades 4–7: EUR 1,808; Grades 8–12: EUR 1,992. A lunch‑only option is available: K6–Grade 3: EUR 1,368; Grades 4–7: EUR 1,532; Grades 8–12: EUR 1,700. A 10% discount applies if the full school‑meals program is prepaid for the entire academic year. - Transportation (annual): round‑trip EUR 2,570 per student (fee is updated annually); one‑way EUR 1,740 per student. - After‑school activities: charged separately; fees are set according to the activity and local Sofia market rates. - AP exam costs and certain examination or exam‑preparation fees: AP courses and some AP exam administration are included in the weekly schedule for high‑school students, but additional fees apply if students self‑prepare for more than the mandatory AP exams. Field trips, ski trips, and certain overseas trips are charged separately. - Uniforms, textbooks, and educational materials are provided as part of the tuition/capital fee coverage; parents are not charged a separate standard uniform fee. Specific optional personal or replacement items remain the parents' responsibility. Partial‑year enrolment and early withdrawal (refund treatment and pro‑rata) - Tuition for partial‑year enrolment or early withdrawal is calculated on a prorated basis according to the enrollment quarter: students enrolled in the 1st quarter are charged the full annual tuition; 2nd quarter enrolment is charged 75% of the annual tuition; 3rd quarter enrolment 50%; 4th quarter enrolment 25%. Application and capital fees are non‑refundable. Payment methods and billing notes - Admissions procedures reference payment by bank transfer (bank transfer receipts) or cash receipt for application and capital fee payments; bank transfer is the standard method documented in admissions steps. The school issues invoices and schedules payments according to the standard plan. No general credit‑card acceptance for tuition is specified in the published admissions/fee documents. VAT and inclusions - All listed fees are VAT inclusive. The tuition fee is described as all‑inclusive for educational provision (access to facilities, tests, selected exam administration, student insurance, counseling, and provision of uniforms/textbooks/materials), while optional non‑pedagogical services (meals, transport, after‑school activities, trips) are charged in addition.	Fee details Application fees - ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam) registration: USD 160, payable by credit card directly to the Educational Records Bureau (ERB). - Historic/legacy application fee noted in ACS application materials for international applicants: EUR 350 (appears on ACS published application requirements document). Tuition fees (annual amounts by student category) - Bulgarian students (standard Bulgarian-student rate): EUR 10,040 per academic year (BGN 19,636.54). - International students (International Student Program): EUR 21,700 per academic year (BGN 42,441.52). - Bulgarian students transferring from international schools: charged at the International Student rate (EUR 21,700 per academic year). Per-term detail - The published figures are stated as annual tuition rates (see amounts above). A per-term (semester/term) breakdown is not published alongside those annual rates in the College's tuition materials; families should expect the headline amounts to represent the total tuition for the full academic year. Boarding / dormitory fees - Dormitory fee for Bulgarian citizens (2025/2026 academic year): EUR 6,100 per year. - Dormitory fee for international students (2025/2026 academic year): EUR 6,900 per year. - The dormitory fee covers three weekday meals in the school cafeteria, internet, laundry, room cleaning, and related residential services. Other costs and fees (what is included / excluded) - The annual tuition covers instruction, academic and extracurricular activities, study materials (including a personal Chromebook), and access to school laboratories, libraries, sports facilities, and college-counseling services. - The following are not included in the listed tuition and are charged separately where applicable: meals for day students, transportation, school trips and excursions, certain school supplies, and IB exam fees. - Elective clubs and extracurricular participation are stated as having no separate participation fee. Billing schedule and payment terms - Annual tuition is published as the total yearly charge by student category. Specific public-facing materials do not publish a detailed per-term invoice schedule or payment-due dates alongside the headline annual amounts; billing and enrollment paperwork (distributed after admission) define exact payment deadlines and any installment arrangements. - The College allows tuition to be invoiced and paid by a juridical person (legal entity) when parents request this arrangement; such arrangements require an additional trilateral agreement among parents, the College, and the paying company. Refund information - Publicly available admissions and tuition materials do not publish a detailed general tuition-refund or standardized withdrawal-refund schedule alongside the headline tuition figures; families complete enrollment paperwork and any applicable admission/enrollment agreements that set out specific refund or cancellation terms. Fee payment options - ISEE registration is paid by credit card to ERB (the test administrator). - The College can invoice a legal entity for tuition (see above); invoicing implies accepted electronic or bank payment methods for third-party payers under the trilateral arrangement, with specific payment instructions provided on the invoice or enrollment agreement. Practical notes for parents (concise) - Headline annual tuition: Bulgarian students EUR 10,040; International students EUR 21,700. - Boarding (dorm) is an additional annual charge: EUR 6,100 (Bulgarian citizens) or EUR 6,900 (international students) for the 2025/2026 figures published by the College. - The ISEE test registration fee (required for admissions testing) is USD 160, charged by ERB and payable by credit card. Brief note on scope and missing public details - The College's public tuition materials state annual tuition and dormitory amounts and describe what the tuition covers and excludes, and they confirm the ISEE registration charge; those materials do not publish a public per-term fee breakdown, a standard public billing-calendar with installment due dates, or a standard public refund table alongside the headline rates. For precise invoice dates, installment options, payment methods (bank details, card acceptance for tuition), and formal refund terms, families receive and sign the College's enrollment documents and invoices after admission.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details The American English Academy offers a U.S. standards-based program from pre-kindergarten through Grade 12, with instruction in English. The curriculum follows U.S. Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and mathematics, and includes literacy in history, science, and technical subjects. The program is organized by grade level: Middle School (5th–7th), 8th grade, 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade, with core courses across English, math, science, social studies, and electives including Art, Music, IT, and Physical Education, plus after-school activities. An optional Dual Language Program for Bulgarian students (Pre-school to Grade 12) is taught in Bulgarian and English and provides double certification after each grade, aligning with both U.S. and Bulgarian standards. The school is an official Advanced Placement (AP) center; students may prepare for up to five AP exams during high school.	Curriculum details English is the primary language of instruction. Grades 9–10 Bulgarian and international students follow almost the same ACS curriculum. In Grades 11–12 Bulgarian students pursue the Bulgarian Diploma Program with advanced profiles, while international students are admitted to the two-year IB Diploma Programme. International students begin the IB Diploma Programme in 11th grade and can earn the American High School Diploma by completing ACS coursework and the CAS portfolio. The IB Diploma Programme has been offered since 2005. Bulgarian Diploma Profiles cover Humanities, Foreign Languages, Mathematics and Physics, Software & Hardware, Natural Sciences, and Entrepreneurship; all profile courses are advanced honors, and every student completes a 75-hour CAS portfolio.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio 1:4 teacher-student ratio; average class size is 12 students.	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results 100% of graduates are admitted to university or college.	Exam results SAT middle 50%: 1310-1470; Highest SAT score: 1580. Scores for SATs were reported for 102 students in the class of 2024, August 2022–October 2023. National Exams (matura) were taken by more than 50% of ACS students (class of 2023). On average, 92% of ACS seniors apply to non-Bulgarian colleges and universities, and typically 100% earn the American Diploma and either the Bulgarian or IB Diploma.
Higher education progression	Higher education progression All graduates are admitted to university or college. The AP program supports college readiness and offers on-site AP exams.	Higher education progression ACS graduates attend universities around the world. On average, 92% of ACS seniors apply to non-Bulgarian colleges and universities. Institutions attended include Brown University, Columbia University, NYU, and University of California campuses, among others. Bulgarian universities such as Medical University of Sofia and Sofia University also enroll ACS graduates.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented Bulgarian Diploma Profiles are advanced honors programs with concentrations in Humanities, Foreign Languages, Mathematics & Physics, Software & Hardware, Natural Sciences, and Entrepreneurship. International students on the IB Diploma Programme undertake English A Literature and other higher-level subjects. All students complete a 75-hour CAS portfolio.
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning —
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History —
Community	Community —	Community —
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions The American English Academy operates a selective admissions policy and evaluates all applicants for Grades 1-12 with an entrance interview and English language skills assessment. Admissions are based on the school's ability to meet the educational needs of the applicant and the applicant's potential to benefit from the education, with consideration of language support, special needs, class size and demographics. All admissions are subject to availability; if the designated grade level is full, students may be placed in the wait pool upon parental request. Priority of admission is given to: children with siblings currently studying at AEA; children who have studied in other international schools; children of parents with international citizenship; and children of Bulgarian citizens. AEA accepts students throughout the school year; applications are reviewed individually with possible statuses of “approved”, “rejected”, or “continued for further assessment”. Approved candidates are enrolled after signing an Agreement for educational services, and the full process typically takes 10–15 days if documents are complete. Admissions are based on the chronological order of application submission, acceptance, and registration. New student grade placement is determined by previous educational experience and age; generally students should be no more than twelve months older or younger than the average age for their grade.	Admissions The American College of Sofia is the oldest American educational institution outside the USA. In 2025, it celebrated its 165th anniversary. The College is a language high school with admissions after grade 7, accredited in Bulgaria by the Ministry of Education and Science, and in the USA by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA) and the International Baccalaureate Organization (IB). The College also accepts Bulgarian students who have completed grade 8 in Bulgarian schools within the Republic of Bulgaria, after passing an entrance exam in English. The College welcomes applications from Bulgarian students who have studied at foreign schools (in Bulgaria or abroad) during the previous year, as well as applicants with foreign or dual citizenship. Admissions for these students are year-round and depend on available spots and academic results. We teach all subjects in English, with the exception of Bulgarian Language and Literature and foreign languages. We offer specialized education in mathematics, software & hardware technology, humanities, foreign languages, natural sciences, and entrepreneurship. We work with highly qualified teachers, 35% of whom are foreigners, primarily from the USA, Great Britain, and Canada. 934 students; 31% of faculty are international; 87% of financial aid applications approved. HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION. We admit students based on the academic results of the applicants, only after successfully passing the College's entrance exam. Once accepted, students embark on a challenging academic journey that emphasizes both the acquisition of knowledge and its practical application. In addition to rigorous academics, the College offers a well-rounded extra-curricular program designed to complement students' studies and foster their personal development. This holistic approach helps students build academic skills while also growing into well-rounded individuals. The College's high standards are maintained by a diverse faculty, consisting of both experienced Bulgarian and international professionals, who bring a variety of teaching methods and global perspectives to the classroom. These progressive educational practices, centered on interactive learning, form the foundation of the College curriculum. American College of Sofia graduates are equipped to think critically and solve complex problems. They set clear goals, achieve them, and are socially conscious, ready to compete with top students around the world.
Scholarships	Scholarships AEA Scholarship Program offers limited partial scholarships for new high school enrollees joining after February 1, 2020. Priority is given to high-achieving international or local students with exceptional academic records whose sponsoring agencies do not provide full tuition. Applicants must submit: standard AEA Admission Application; a scholarship request letter from parents; academic records; a teacher recommendation; letters from parents and the applicant detailing motivation; proof of financial need (i.e., a letter from the embassy or employing company); and evidence of satisfactory behavior and a willingness to participate in Advanced Placement exams. Scholarship applicants must also undergo the standard entrance assessment; funding is for one school year and may continue in subsequent years based on yearly reviews of academic/behavioral performance and financial situation. Only students not currently enrolled at AEA or who have not previously been enrolled at AEA are eligible to apply for a scholarship. The scholarship program is funded by Markan Holding AD and approved by the AEA Scholarship Committee; applicant's Admission Application must be submitted online and all other documentation sent by email to admissions@aeasofia.com.	Scholarships Who Have Successfully Passed the Entrance Exam after Grade 7. The College offers full scholarships for newly admitted students who successfully pass the Grade 7 entrance exam. The scholarships are granted once and cover the full tuition fee for the five years at the American College. All families of Bulgarian students who successfully pass the grade 7 entrance exam and are invited to enroll in the College may apply for the scholarships. The Committee is guided by several criteria when awarding them, with financial need being the most important. CRITERIA FOR AWARDING FULL SCHOLARSHIPS: 1. Approved documents for the tuition fee reduction program. 2. Essay results - essay answer to a question. Candidates will be invited to write the essay at the College. 3. Interview with candidates selected based on essay results. 4. Total score from the entrance exam. FULL SCHOLARSHIPS. The Polansky and Oberbauer Scholarships were established in 2008, and the Gipson Scholarship in 2018. They cover the full tuition fees for students who demonstrate a high academic level throughout their course of study. Polansky Scholarship; Oberbauer Scholarship; Gipson Scholarship; Sts. Cyril and Methodius Scholarship. The Domuschiev Impact Foundation established the Sts. Cyril and Methodius Scholarship, which covers the full tuition fee for five Bulgarian students from the Class of 2030 at the American College of Sofia for the entire five-year period of study. The scholarship is awarded with priority to students with a single parent/guardian who have also demonstrated high financial need. Recipients of the Sts. Cyril and Methodius Scholarship who are from outside Sofia may be accommodated in the College dormitory as part of the financial support provided by the Domuschiev Impact Foundation. The Sunrise Scholarship was established in 2021 by an alumnus who wished to remain anonymous. The scholarship covers the full tuition fee for three Bulgarian students for the five years of study. The Sunrise Scholarship is awarded with preference to a student from Plovdiv whose family demonstrates financial need. Bulgarian students from outside Sofia who are awarded the Sunrise Scholarship also receive the opportunity to use the College dormitory free of charge. Recipients of the scholarship must maintain a minimum average grade of 5.25 each semester and exemplary behavior during the five-year term of study at the American College of Sofia. The Robin Mittenthal Scholarship was created in 2023 by Daniela Mole, a 1997 graduate from the first class after the school's restoration, in memory of her late husband. The scholarship covers the full tuition fee for one Bulgarian student for the entire five-year term of study. The first recipient of the Robin Mittenthal Scholarship was an 8th grader in the 2023-24 academic year. The scholarship will be offered again in 2028 to a student from a minority, from a single-parent household, or living outside Sofia, whose family has high financial needs. Scholarship recipients who are not from Sofia receive the opportunity to reside in the College dormitory free of charge. Recipients of the scholarship must maintain a minimum average grade of 5.25 each semester and exemplary behavior during the five-year term of study at the American College of Sofia. Partial Scholarships. Teodora and Darina Spasovi Scholarship. The Teodora and Darina Spasovi Scholarship, the first scholarship from Bulgarian citizens, is named after the sister-alumnae of the College, from the Classes of 2004 and 2005, respectively. The scholarship was established in 2005 and aims to partially support the neediest girl from the respective graduating class who maintains a minimum average grade of 5.00 and excellent behavior throughout the entire course of study. Boris Lozanov and Maria Vladimirova Scholarships. The Boris Lozanov Scholarship was established during the 2021-2022 academic year by a parent of a College student, Lyubomir Lozanov, in honor of his father. This scholarship grants 5,000 euros annually to an excellent student for each of the five years of study at the American College of Sofia. To be eligible, the student's family must demonstrate significant financial need, and the student must maintain an average grade above 5.00 and have no disciplinary issues throughout their stay at the College. In 2024, Mr. Lozanov introduced a second scholarship – the Maria Vladimirova Scholarship – in honor of his mother. This scholarship follows the same application procedure and criteria as the Boris Lozanov Scholarship. We express our sincere gratitude to all the donors for their generous contribution to education in Bulgaria and their long-standing support for the American College of Sofia."
Waitlist	Waitlist If a grade level is full, a student may be placed in the wait pool upon parental request.	Waitlist —
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