AIS Terms

4K Breakfast

Our four-year-olds perform for their parents and then join them for breakfast

Accreditation

AIS is accredited wholly or in part by four distinct accrediting bodies. Full accreditation is granted by the European Council of International Schools (ECIS) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). The school is authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) to offer the IB Diploma. The Primary School is also accredited by the French Ministry of Education and by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Culture as having programs equivalent to those in French or Spanish schools, and recognized by the Swiss and German governments.

ACTFL

The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages - ACTFL - is the only national organization dedicated to the improvement and expansion of the teaching and learning of all languages at all levels of instruction. We use a modified oral proficiency test developed by the ACTFL.

Admission Office

The Admission Office is responsible for giving information about AIS to interested families, sending out application forms, and arranging school tours. Families are encouraged to visit the school to fully understand the dual-language primary school program and the secondary school program which leads to the International Baccalaureate. For admission information or to schedule a tour, telephone the Admission Office at 404-841-3891.

Amigos

The Spanish Parent Association, for all Spanish-speaking parents, those with children learning Spanish, or those interested in the Spanish language, and Spanish or Latin-American culture.

Annual Fund

A program of the Development Office that raises money from parents, corporations, foundations, friends and alumni for the school’s yearly operating needs. Fundraising is necessary as tuition covers only 85% of the school’s operating costs. The Annual Fund includes events such as the Spring Benefit, Golf Tournament, Fun Run and Road Race, and parent Phonathon. The Annual Fund campaign kicks off each year in the fall.

Annual Report

An annual financial summary and acknowledgement of supporters of AIS the previous school year.

Around Atlanta

Visits for parents to sites of local historic or cultural interest, as a way of getting to know Atlanta and other parents

Assemblies

Occasions when students from a particular grade or group get together for a performance

Back-to-School Night

An opportunity for parents to visit the classrooms, meet the teachers, and learn about the curriculum (not parent/teacher conferences). Held in the first few weeks of the school year. Attendance at this event is strongly encouraged.

Book Fair

The Library sponsors two Book Fairs each year, in which students may buy English, French, German and Spanish books, educational puzzles and games, and stationery. Many books in the Summer Reading List are sold at the June Book Fair.

BPA

Black Parent Association. Open to parents interested in broadening understanding and appreciation of African-American culture.

Buddy System

The Parent Organization (PO) pairs returning families with new families each year to ease the transition into a new school.

Bus

See International Concepts.

CAS

Creativity, Action, Service. Students are required, starting in Middle School, to complete a certain number of hours of community service before graduation.

CASIE

The Center for the Advancement and Study of International Education, a leading resource center for the study of international and multi-lingual education

Christmas Market (Christkindlmarkt)

A small replica of the famous traditional Christmas markets that take place in many small towns in Germany in December. Offered for sale are traditional Christmas ornaments, wreaths, food and beverages.

Cooking Without Borders

AIS’s own collection of international recipes contributed and triple-tested by AIS parents. Available from the Development Office.

Curriculum Information Night

An opportunity for parents to visit the classrooms, meet the teachers, and learn about the curriculum (not parent/teacher conferences). Attendance at this event is strongly encouraged.

Development Office

Responsible for all programs and activities by which the school seeks gifts and grants from private sources to support its programs and to build long-term strength through improvements to its facilities and additions to its endowment. These activities and programs include the annual fund, major gift fundraising, alumni relations, internal and external communications, and public relations.

Directory

The official guide to parent and student addresses and telephone numbers. Not to be used by non-AIS families. Available in mid-September.

Diversity Speaker Series

A series of events each year focusing on issues of diversity at AIS and around the world, providing students, parents, faculty and staff an opportunity to explore the sometimes difficult topics so important to our understanding of each other.

ECIS

European Council of International Schools. This is the largest association of international schools around the world. See their website at www.ecis.org.

Ensemble

French Parent Association

ERBs

Educational Records Bureau. A membership organization composed of over 1,100 independent and suburban public schools, with 70 years of testing experience. It helps its members interpret and use assessment data to improve instruction, and administers three major testing programs - CTP III, Writing Assessment Program, ISEE.

At AIS, Grades 3, 5, 7 and 9 take the ERB CTPIII tests [Norm referenced test]. Grades 4, 6 and 8 take the ERB Writing Assessment [Criterion referenced test]. In both the math and language sections of the ERB CTPIII, the tests are of two kinds. There are the ability tests which measure what the child is innately able to do and these are rather similar to I.Q.tests. The second type of tests are achievement tests which measure what the child has actually learned from what is covered in the curriculum. The Writing Assessment is a criteria referenced test.

ESOL

English for Speakers of Other Languages

Exchange Trips

AIS and certain other schools in Europe arrange exchanges of students in specific grades, whereby an entire class will visit their partner school in Europe and stay with host families, and then the students from those schools will visit Atlanta in their turn.

Extracurricular Activities

After-school activities, for an added fee, led by AIS staff or outside providers. Can include drama, dance, music, yoga, chess, sports, debate, and MUN.

Field Days

Grade level participation in group sports activities to build teamwork and skills while having fun

Field Trips

Students go on day trips to museums, places of local or national historic and/or cultural interest. Certain grades may also go on longer excursions such as camping trips to pursue the study of nature or science.

FCD

Freedom from Chemical Dependency: Drug and alcohol education for students and parents

Global Exchange

A twice-yearly magazine for alumni, former parents and friends of AIS. Produced by the Development Office.

Globetrotter

The official school newsletter, published monthly by the Development Office.

Golf Tournament

A fundraising annual event, organized by the Development Office, taking place at a prestigious golf course and followed by an awards dinner. Held in the fall.

GPA

German Parent Association

Honors Assembly

An annual awards ceremony in which Secondary students receive awards for academic, athletic, and extra-curricular achievements. Held before graduation.

IB

See International Baccalaureate.

IBO

International Baccalaureate Organization. It provides curriculum and assessment development, teacher training and information seminars, electronic networking and other educational services to its 1000 participating schools in 100 countries around the world. See their website at www.ibo.org.

IBPYP

International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme. The curriculum followed in the Primary School.

International Concepts

A bus service operated by independent contractors to AIS, at an additional cost.

International Baccalaureate

A rigorous pre-university course of studies, leading to examinations, that meets the needs of highly motivated secondary school students between the ages of 16 and 19 years of age. Designed as a comprehensive two-year curriculum that allows its graduates to fulfill requirements of various national education systems, the diploma model is based on the pattern of no single country but incorporates the best elements of several. Recognized for admission by international universities and colleges.

Introduction to IB

Parents are encouraged to explore the Secondary School and learn about the International Baccalaureate program. All parents are welcome.

ISAL

International Students Against Landmines

ISTA

International Schools Theatre Association

LPAC

Lademacher Performing Arts Center

MPR

Multi-Purpose Room (in the SAC)

MS

Middle School (Grades 6-8)

MSC

Middle School Conference Room, located in the Middle School Office

MUN

Trips for Upper School students participating in the Model United Nations program

Newcomers Coffee

To welcome new families and to help them integrate into AIS and Atlanta-open to new and returning families

New Student Orientation

A time to allow new students to become familiar with the school and meet teachers. Separate orientation for parents during this visit.

Open House

An opportunity for prospective families to visit the school, usually held in January.

OPI

Oral Proficiency Interviews. The ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview is a valid and reliable means of assessing functional language ability. It is a face-to-face or telephone interview that is conducted between a certified ACTFL tester and an examinee.

Photographs

Grade and individual photographs taken for the yearbook and for purchase

Plaut Plaza

Circular mini-amphitheatre area outside cafeteria at back of school

PO

Parent Organization. Every parent is automatically a member.

PO Open Meeting

Occasion for all parents to attend a Parent Organization meeting

PO Council Meeting

For elected members of the Parent Organization only

Prime Time

See YMCA After-School Program Kaleidoscope

PS

Primary School (Grades 1-5)

PYP

See IBPYP.

RAVA

Respect All, Value All (AIS’s expectation of community behavior and attitude)

Room Parents

The link between the parents on the one hand, and AIS staff, faculty, and the Parent Organization Executive Council on the other hand. They may call a number of meetings with the parents of the group they represent. The Room Parent will present the ideas, suggestions, and conclusions of their meetings to their Room Parent Representative, who is a member of the Executive Council of the AIS Parent Organization.

SAC

Sports & Activities Center

SACS

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. It accredits more than 12,000 public and private educational institutions, from pre-Kindergarten through university level. Member institutions regularly perform comprehensive self-evaluations to assist them in planning for improvement and to assure the public of their overall quality.

Sally Foster

The sale of gift wrap has been the major fund-raiser of the Parent Organization for many years. Proceeds fund the operational costs of the Parent Organization, including hospitality, teacher appreciation breakfasts and end of year luncheon, 12th grade graduation reception, WorldFest, and administrative costs.

Santa Lucia Celebration

The Santa Lucia celebration is mainly a Swedish tradition symbolizing the return of light after what was believed to be the longest night, December 12th. It is celebrated in schools all over Scandinavia with candles, songs and cookies. At AIS it is the time when the whole school, 4K-12th grade, are gathered in the Auditorium for this annual event. We have been celebrating Santa Lucia at AIS for the past 10 years.

A part of the celebration that is purely AIS is the exchange of gifts between the oldest and youngest boys and girls in the school.

SATs

Standardized Aptitude Tests. Many American colleges require the SAT I for admission because it is a standard way of measuring a student's ability to do college-level work. Because courses and grading standards vary widely from school to school, scores on standardized tests, like the SAT I, help colleges compare your academic achievements with those of students from different schools. Students can take the PSATs in Grade 11 or the SATs in Grade 12, and both types of test can be taken several times and the best scores used.

Spirit Wear

A range of clothing and miscellaneous items is available for purchase, consistent with AIS dress code.

Sports Banquet

At the end of the fall and spring sports seasons, team players receive awards and recognition for contributions to their sport. Sponsored by the Booster Club/Eagle Watchers.

Sports Boosters

Parents supporting sports program and recognition of athletes

Spring Benefit

This black-tie event, held each year in the Spring, is organized by the development Office and requires a great number of parent volunteers. Apart from being the principal Annual Fund fundraising event for the school, it also has become a major annual social event for AIS parents and their friends. All participants have the pleasure of bidding during the live and silent auctions for a great variety of items and services, and to enjoy good food and entertainment.

SS

Secondary School (Grades 6-12)

St. Martin’s Parade

A German celebration of light, in which students parade with lanterns of brightly-colored paper and share music and refreshments. St. Martin's day celebrates the end of the agrarian year and the beginning of the harvesting.

Summer Camp

AIS offers classes ranging from language lessons to art and drama during two three-week sessions in the summer.

Summer Reading List

A list of required and recommended reading for students in each grade to complete during the summer vacation.

Swiss Parent Association

The Parent Association for parents interested in the promotion of Swiss history and culture.

Thanksgiving

A national holiday and celebration in the United States

United Nations Day Parade

The Primary School students celebrate United Nations Day, towards the end of October, by dressing in their national costumes. The occasion is also the time for the rights of children to be contemplated.

US

Upper School (Grades 9-12)

Varsity

A sports program for grades 9-12, which meet 4 to 5 times a week, following a games schedule with home and away games. Uniforms are provided and the sports are competitive.

WorldFest

AIS invites the public to join our festival

Yearbook

The Globe, an annual publication, is compiled by and for students. Photographs from the classroom, the hallways, the sports fields, at lunchtime, after school, and special events. A treasure trove of memories from the previous school year. It usually is issued in May.