The American College of Greece (ACG) was founded in 1875 by American United Church of Christ missionaries [1] as a primary and secondary school for girls in Smyrna, Asia Minor and is considered Europe's oldest and largest, comprehensive, U.S.-accredited academic institution and the largest private institute of tertiary education in Greece.
It is run by the namesake 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization which is legally based in Boston, United States.
Today ACG has three divisions:
- PIERCE (secondary education)
- Deree College (undergraduate and postgraduate liberal arts)
- ALBA Graduate Business School at The American College of Greece
Video American College of Greece
PIERCE - The American College of Greece
The first division of the college was founded in Smyrna (today Izmir) in Asia Minor in 1875 as a school for girls. It was relocated to Hellenikon, Athens, after the catastrophe of 1922 by invitation of Eleftherios Venizelos, then Prime Minister of Greece. During World War II the College premises were used as a hospital and through German occupation the school continued to operate in an underground manner using the homes of pupils and instructors as classrooms. After the War the College returned to Hellenikon, where it remained until it moved to its new campus in Aghia Paraskevi, a suburb of Athens.
Today PIERCE operates a Gymnasium and a Lyceum, equivalent to the Greek public system.
Being a non profit organization, PIERCE accepts scholarship applications. Eligibility for these scholarships is based on the academic excellence or financial difficulties of the applicant. A very large percentage of students, meet the eligibility requirements and a great number of scholarships are being awarded each year (83% of applications were awarded in the academic year 2012-2013).
PIERCE is also well known for its annual fair OPEN HOUSE. Open House is organized both from the Gymnasium's and the Lyceum's student governments. Open House raises money for philanthropic purpose and attracts people from around Athens. Besides this Pierce College has a Forensics Club and a Drama Club.
PIERCE has won the British Council International School Award - Full Accreditation for the academic years 2015-2018 bestowed by the British Council. PIERCE is also a member of the International Schools Theater Association.
Interest for admission in PIERCE has increased over the 2013-2015 period by 120%.
As of September 18, 2015, PIERCE is working on the application procedures to be authorized to offer the IB Diploma Programme beginning in September 2016.
Maps American College of Greece
DEREE - The American College of Greece
The college awarded its first baccalaurate degrees in 1969. In 1973 its undergraduate division was renamed DEREE College in honor of a generous benefactor from Chicago, William S. Deree (born Derehanis in Greece). In 2004 it offered its first graduate programs.
DEREE is an American-sponsored, independent, coeducational, nonsectarian, and nonprofit educational institution accredited in the United States, and by virtue of its accreditation by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) its degree is recognized worldwide as equivalent to those provided by American universities. Today, it has one campus located in the area of Aghia Paraskevi in Athens, with four schools: School of Business, the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the School of Fine and Performing Arts, and the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. The Graduate School offers master's degrees in applied psychology, communication, and leadership as well as several graduate diploma and certificate programs.
However, it is not recognized by the Greek state as a university due to the Greek Constitution's reference to the public character of education. In 2011, ACG undergraduate programs received EU validation status through the Open University a public research university located in the UK.
ALBA Graduate Business School
In 2012 the American College of Greece formed an alliance with ALBA Graduate Business School, which offers graduate business education at the College.
References
External links
- Official College Website
- Entry at NEASC
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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