AMERICAN ACADEMY IN PRAGUE
1ST - 12TH GRADE
A network of American schools, we are inspired by the best educational concepts from around the world: freedom to choose subjects, individual approach, subjects divided according to competences, emphasis on practical learning, project-based learning and theme weeks. All classes are taught in English and led by a team of teachers from all over the world.
American Academy in Prague is a cutting-edge school helping to educate the leaders of the future. We offer an American-style curriculum with project-based learning that allows our students to choose subjects that interest them. Not only do we prepare students to study at some of the most prestigious universities in the world, we help our students to become proactive global citizens who can help shape the world.
Our signature theme weeks allow students to learn how to collaborate effectively with others, build a strong team and think in creative ways to search for solutions, while stepping out of the classroom. Our faculty and staff help to foster an environment for students to grow as individuals and together with the students we work to create an amazing learning environment.
American Academy is a network of American schools with campuses in Prague, Brno and Bratislava. The whole network has a unified educational concept. It is important that American Academy keeps moving forward and satisfies the parents’ and students’ needs. At the end of each trimester, there is a school-wide anonymous survey investigating overall satisfaction with the school.
We put emphasis on individual approach, professionalism and openness. That is why we are happy that the majority of parents perceive our teachers as very open and helpful. They perceive American Academy as a quality educational institution and all of them agree that their child feels safe at school.
The utmost priority of American Academy is to lead the students towards great academic achievements through a quality program that prepares them for studying at universities all around the globe. Our students achieve above average results compared to their American peers in the Iowa tests, with an average of 70 points.
In September 2020, we opened a new STEM program (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths). The main goal is to introduce the students to current technological and science methods or tools and teach them how to apply these skills in real life and their future career.
Our curriculum is inspired by the best of world’s educational programs, notably American and Finnish systems.
Our students have the freedom to choose the subjects they want to study so they can focus on what really interests them and develop necessary social and practical skills during high school.
We put emphasis on high-quality academic program. Besides a wide range of subjects led by great teachers, American Academy offers Advanced Placement (university level courses) and in September 2020 we are also opening new academic program STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) led by RnDr. Jakub Haláček.
Both of these programs together with American high school diploma increase students’ chances to get accepted by the world’s best universities.
Much like the International Baccalaureate Diploma or British high school diploma, our students must get their diploma validated if they want to apply for a Czech University. It is a process which we are familiar with, and we are happy to help students with their individual application processes. American Academy also offers Advanced Placement courses, which are equivalent to university courses in the American and Canadian systems. Students take exams in these subjects, which are comparable to the IB exams and accepted by universities around the world.
ELEMENTARY PROGRAM
For children 6-12 years
Beginning September 2021, the American Academy will offer our own elementary school program, which will complement the existing Middle School and High School programs. Students can start studying at the American Academy in the first grade and stay with us all the way through high school.
The core of our educational concept is an emphasis on project and thematic learning, which enables students to both learn and apply that learning across a wide range of real-world topics. At American Academy, teachers support students’ individual abilities and encourage them to independently discover things about the world around them.
The elementary school will open in Prague and Brno to pupils from the first to fifth grades, i.e. children from 6 to 12 years of age, beginning September 2021. In a friendly and safe environment, children will meet teachers from all over the world and study exclusively in English, thus gaining an incredible advantage for the future. We teach our students to live in a community of unique individuals who can also work together as one cohesive whole.
stem program
In September 2020, we’re opening a new, carefully prepared STEM Program (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths). Our ambition is to build a program that is comparable to the STEM programs at top-quality American private schools. The number of students accepted is limited to 10 for middle school (Grades 6 - 7) and 12 for high school (Grades 9 - 10). Students of the STEM program will study first four hours with the students of the comprehensive program. After that, they will study one of 3 units that will change throughout the week Software a Computer science, Science, Engineering a Technology, Robotics.
STEM program is designed so it would fulfill worldwide demand for education in technology, engineering, science and maths. The students will work with modern technology and cutting-edge processes in IT and science and will learn how to apply them in everyday life or their future career.
Jakub Haláček graduated from Theoretical Physics at Charles University and started to work as a Physics teacher at PORG grammar school. In past 8 years he has worked, except teaching itself, as an admission counselor for PORG schools. He also has run the only Czech robotic team which participates in FIRST Robotics Competition and prepared online course AP Physics 1. He attended schooling in Finland, at Oxford, AP Seminar, Microsoft ALICE Envisions the Future conference and many others.
Programming, algorithmic thinking and proper use of computing power and SW tools.
Algorithmic thinking, basic and advanced programming, creation and operating with WEB, multimedia, PC games and mobile applications development.
Basic computer skills – safety, cloud service, data flows, knowledge and computing instruments use. Information flow understanding, critical evaluation of sources, safety on web and security.
Machine teaching, AI in practice, cloud solutions, BigData – understanding and operating.
Typographical principles and high-quality writing
Typografické zásady a kvalitní psaný projev
IoT (Internet of Things) – basic and advanced solutions
Hardware – computers, servers, network, mobile technology
Microelectronics – Micro:bit, arduino, Raspberry Pi
3D graphics and modeling, Design and production. Idea-Product process.
Science in practice and theory. Experiments’ proposals, evaluation and data interpreting.
Problem-solving of tasks, critical thinking and orientation in the changing world of technology.
Preparation for competitions as LEGO, VEX robotic, FIRST robotics
Support of teamwork and creativity and manual dexterity development.
Competing leads to goal-orientation and ability to lead, collaborate, plan and communication.
Robotics is integrating and amusing element of STEM program.
3D graphics and modeling, design-product process, SAM labs.
Manual dexterity and handwork.
CNC production based on a model.
We believe it is crucial that our students had easy access to knowledge that is not usually taught at schools. We offer a wide variety of choices, which allows students to focus on what really interests them and what they enjoy.
THEME WEEK
In addition to our American based curriculum, American Academy offers theme weeks inspired by Finnish academic traditions. During theme weeks, there is a school-wide project that develops skills and competencies such as communication, team work, collaboration, problem solving, creativity, critical thinking or project management.
During theme week students experienced a lot of different things – some students went to escape rooms in Prague, some students went on a haunted statues tour, other students went on a cave trip, and some students even went to Kutná Hora. They experienced these things in order to learn much needed skills which helped them to organize their own final projects based on the same Magic and Mysteries theme.
These final projects included: our phenomenal Haunted House, our own puzzling escape room, podcasts, a charity bake sale, an art exhibition, a magic show, and the list goes on and on. Proceeds from the Haunted House, Escape Room and the Bake Sale which raised money for SOS Children’s Villages (SOS Dětské vesničky).
In the beginning, the students had to ask themselves some questions regarding how have rivers shaped human history and how do humans now shape rivers? Once the list of questions and workshops descriptions were finalized, they were asked to rank their choices so the teachers could create a customized Theme Week schedule for each student. Some workshops were held in the school in a classroom, others were on site in the water treatment plant, exploring the city of Pilsen, canoeing, creating art, making a short film, and a two-day hike exploring the Labe River. At the end of the week, all the staff and students gathered for an assembly where different groups presented what they learned, including a song, several videos and a skit. The school also created a "gallery walk" with drawings, games, and other visual representations of what each group learned during their workshop.
A group of ten students and a teacher explored Prague’s treasures: museums, monuments, food, transportation, landmarks, the river, and the people. Some of the more noteworthy trips included a tour and workshop at the Jewish Synagogue; a walking tour showing secret treasures of Prague, and a lecture by a holocaust survivor. During Thursday of that week, each group made a special tour and picture scavenger hunt in the morning and then the different groups switched tours and ran around Prague and saw Prague through their classmates eyes. The winner of the best tour and scavenger hunt won a pizza party. Students then created a product like a song, a presentation, a website and more that captured what they had learned during the whole week. It was followed by a school-wide assembly where students showcased their final products.
The third theme week of the 2019-2020 school year was called Creation in Isolation. Due to COVID-19 and social distancing, students either worked on their theme week projects by themselves or in small groups. Students were given the task of thinking about something that they had always wanted to do but never had the time to. They chose projects like learning how to play the violin, learning how to skateboard, learning how to do animation, upscaling clothes, learning how to sew, writing poetry, building a website, and so many more! The groups or individuals then had to document their progress throughout the week and make a final video showing what they had accomplished. We were so impressed with our students for embracing this theme week and putting so much effort into it.
Don’t expect long tests; we are mostly interested in the student’s character and enthusiasm. That is why we focus on a personal interview and written essays. For the academic year 2020/21, we have spots for 160 students.
GRADUATE PROFILE
- 2020 -
An American Academy graduate is a confident young person who is engaged in the immediate world around them and will be mindful of those that exist around them. They have developed confidence, solve problems actively, and always take full ownership of their actions. They have discovered what their main values are and are able to act upon them.
Graduating from an international school, the students are ready to begin higher education anywhere in the world, including the highest ranking universities.
COLLEGE ACCEPTANCE MAP
