The Guivy Zaldastanishvili American Academy in Tbilisi

The Guivy Zaldastanishvili American Academy in Tbilisi is located in Tbilisi, Georgia. The campus address is 7a Leo Kvatchadze Street, 0186 Tbilisi, Georgia. The school serves grades 8 through 12. It is a private high school.

Junior High (Grade 8); Grades 9-12.

Private high school.

Academic support for Junior High is built within the daily schedule on a need-based calendar and it not only assists academically vulnerable students but also focuses on developing other areas of interest. All teachers in grades 9-12 will set public weekly hours of extra help for students who are in need of catching up with their studies. Students in academic probation are placed on a mandatory schedule. If, despite the extra help offered, the student fails to improve, the student may be asked to leave the Academy.

American in name; of, by, and for Georgians.

The five-year program of study is designed to produce well-rounded students who are prepared to enter local universities in Georgia as well as highly-regarded universities in Europe and the United States. English is the primary language of instruction, except in classes which study Georgian and Russian where these languages are spoken exclusively. Daily preparation is stressed, with homework in every subject, and students are expected to participate actively in every class. Wherever and whenever practicable, technology will be integrated into classroom instruction; frequent writing and assessment will be given high priority; attendance is mandatory. The academic year is divided into two semesters, with classes meeting four times per week (50 minutes each) and one double period (80 minutes). Most courses are more intensive than the typical Georgian program, meeting five hours per week in small classes throughout the year, with a high degree of hands-on activities and the use of advanced textbooks and technology.

90% of graduates continue their studies at universities in the US, UK, Canada, and Europe. The College Counseling program begins in the tenth grade with a university orientation, and from the junior year the school helps students select universities, prepare documents, and submit applications through group and individual meetings. The Class of 2024 had 71 graduates; 19% enrolled in US institutions, 63% in non-US institutions, 4% in Georgian universities, and 14% took a gap year. College acceptances include a wide range of US and European universities.

The school supports social and emotional learning through a holistic student-support framework. Academic support for Junior High is integrated into the daily schedule on a need-based basis, and teachers in grades 9–12 publish weekly hours for extra help. Students on academic probation follow a mandatory schedule, and if progress remains insufficient, the school may ask the student to leave. The school encourages families to discuss tutoring with teachers and to coordinate interventions as needed. Extracurricular clubs and activities, school ceremonies, and field trips foster teamwork, leadership, and social engagement.

Parents must inform the school about any special needs their child may have. In such cases, additional assessments may be conducted to ensure the school can provide the needed support. The school provides academic support for students who struggle, including a need-based schedule and formal extra-help hours for grades 9–12.

English is the primary language of instruction in grades 9–11. Incoming students must demonstrate fluency and an academic record that prepares them for a rigorous course of study. Admissions testing for Grade 8 includes Georgian, English, and Math; Grades 9–11 take English and Math tests, with Grade 9 Math offered in Georgian or English as needed.

The school provides mental wellbeing support through Student Health Services. The school counsellor handles student counselling and the school doctor manages health matters. Counselling is available to students, and health services are provided on campus to support wellbeing.

The school maintains a Privacy Policy that outlines data-protection practices. Safety initiatives include first aid training delivered to staff and students. The health staff (school psychologist and doctor) contribute to safeguarding by addressing wellbeing and safety concerns.

The school enrolls 372 students in grades 8–12 and admits 72 new students each year, primarily into Grade 8. Spaces may be available in Grades 9–11 depending on capacity. Upper-grade admissions are conducted exclusively on a reserve list. English is the language of instruction in upper grades, and 8th-grade applicants must demonstrate knowledge of Georgian to be considered.

The school requires an online application; applicants upload a current photo (3x4), a birth certificate, a current transcript, and a handwritten statement in English describing why the student wishes to attend. A non-refundable 200 GEL application fee must be transferred to the school's bank account. The Admissions Calendar lists important dates, including Open House and the application deadlines.

The school administers admissions tests; Grade 8 entrants take three tests (Georgian, English, Math), while Grades 9–11 take two tests (English, Math). A personal interview follows, and the results from tests and interviews determine the final selection. Parents must disclose any special needs, and additional assessments may be conducted if needed.

The List of Accepted/Waitlisted Students is published on defined dates, with waitlisted candidates identified. Open House events and key deadlines are published in the Admissions Calendar, and families receive guidance on tuition-related steps, including Tuition Abatement information and language proficiency requirements via email as part of the enrollment process.

Tuition Abatement is offered to students with strong academic abilities and demonstrated financial need; abatement requires maintaining at least a C average and no disciplinary incidents, and the school may rescind the abatement for academic or disciplinary reasons. Parents must reapply for tuition abatement each year. A 15% elder-sibling discount applies to high school tuition. Annual tuition is 19,500 GEL for Grade 8 and 31,000 GEL for Grades 9–12, with a 600 GEL security deposit; a sibling discount is available for the elder sibling.

The admissions process uses a reserve list for upper grades, and the school publishes lists of accepted and waitlisted students on defined dates. Waitlisted candidates are identified and notified as part of the published admissions timeline. The process includes a published waitlist date in the Admissions Calendar.