The Director of the American Academy in Tbilisi Mr. Richard Lussen  The Academy was founded in 2001 to provide a high-quality, western-style education for Georgian students and to be a model for reform of Georgian secondary education The Academy sends its graduates to colleges and universities all over the world; our first graduating class, the Class of 2001, will graduate from their universities in 2009. The Academy employs the following practices, almost all of which are unique in Georgia.
A highly trained and well paid faculty trained abroad for one year in the U.S. at The Phillips Exeter Academy, Harvard University, and Simmons College. An American style grading system. Small classes serving a maximum of 15 students. The "Harkness method" using interactive instruction that stresses analysis and discussion. Instruction in English in all classes except Georgian and Russian. A jury system of student evaluation. A system of student advisories. A student council. A parents’ council The use of American textbooks in English, mathematics, history, biology, chemistry, physics, art, music, and a survey of religion. The pervasive use of technology, every student and staff member having a personal computer account, all computers networked with the school server supplying Internet access. A school library housing 5000 volumes, 50 computer stations, 120 audiotapes. An extracurricular program of activities including drama, debate, photography, music, and archeology. Biology, chemistry, and physics laboratories integrated into science instruction. 200 individual student lockers to house personal belongings. A physical education program, including football, tennis, swimming, basketball, aerobics, rugby, and rock climbing. An Academy lecture series. A college preparation course for seniors. One term senior courses in art, music, and a survey of religion A senior independent project A senior interdisciplinary course in "Great Ideas". No other school in Georgia comes close to offering this volume of innovative practices, each designed to provide a working model for Georgian students, parents, and teachers to observe, to join, and/or to emulate. We welcome your interest in the Academy and are anxious to serve you in the best Georgian tradition of hospitality.
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