ACS DOHA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OPENS IN QATAR Official ceremony begins “Day of Celebration” to mark formal opening Doha, Qatar: Tuesday, 27th September 2011: ACS Doha International School celebrated its formal opening today, with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by a day of activities and events to mark this historic occasion. The school, based in the Al Gharrafa district of Doha, is the fourth ACS International School, but the group’s first property outside the United Kingdom. As with its sister schools in the UK, ACS Doha offers a globally-recognised American and international curriculum. A strong core academic programme and extensive arts, sports and cultural activities support a student-centred philosophy. It is a combination which regularly sees ACS students achieves places at many of the world's finest universities. The day began with the traditional ribbon-cutting, attended by ACS Chairman, David Thomas, the Head of School, Tom Lehman, the school’s sponsor, Mr. Al-Jaber and Sheikh Abdullah Al-Thani, Deputy CEO, Ezdan Real Estate. Also present were members of ACS’s Board of Directors, who had flown in from the United Kingdom, as well as local staff members, teachers, pupils and parents. The ceremony, which included a welcome speech by Mr Thomas, was followed by a tour of the campus, visits to classrooms to see pupils at study, and a staff celebration lunch. In the evening, the school hosted a VIP reception for around 100 special invitees, giving an opportunity to personally thank local partners and associates, and welcome local and expatriate dignitaries to the campus. Mr Thomas said ACS Doha will help meet the growing demand for internationally-recognised education in Qatar. “There is significant demand in Doha for schools which are able to meet the educational and transitional needs of globally mobile families, as well as local families looking for an international education,” he said. “This is a remit we are confident ACS Doha will fulfil.” The school will initially offer Early Childhood, Lower and Middle School divisions for children between three and 14 years old. A High School division will open next academic year. Head Mr Lehman, who has been be joined by Diane Hren as Deputy Head, have both come from the same positions at ACS Cobham, in England. “ACS Doha has already attracted a great deal of interest from local families and expatriate communities,” said Mr Lehman. “We have opened with 250 pupils, but we anticipate that this number will triple over the next few years, as the ACS reputation spreads across Doha’s growing communities.” Mr Lehman added that ACS Doha will provide “a student-centred approach which challenges children to develop their academic, social, physical and emotional potential, reflecting the academic programmes, philosophy and values of our three UK sister schools.” The new campus is purpose-built, and equipped to very high standards. Facilities include modern, airy classrooms with interactive whiteboards, Wi-Fi throughout and bespoke ICT labs, art studios, music rooms, language suites and libraries; plus an external multi-purpose recreational area, modern large sports hall, and an indoor swimming pool. Further information on the new school, including application details, can be found at www.acs-schools.com About ACS ACS International Schools were founded in 1967 to serve international and local communities. The schools are non-sectarian and co-educational (day and boarding), enrolling approximately over 2,800 students aged 2 to 18 years. ACS Doha International School is part of ACS International Schools and serves international and local communities. ACS Doha is co-educational, initially enrolling students aged 3 to14 years. The school is located in the Gharrafa district of Doha. The school offers a globally recognised American and international curriculum. It has state-of-the-art facilities and an on-going programme of building investment. The strong core academic programme and extensive arts, sports and cultural activities support a student-centred philosophy. ACS International Schools has over 30 years’ experience of teaching the International Baccalaureate at its campuses in the UK. For media enquiries related to ACS Doha International School, please contact Qanect Communications, Lauren Fryer at [email protected] or phone +974 3384 0519. -ILQ news-

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