ACST's History

The American Cooperative School of Tunis (ACST) has been opening doors, hearts, and minds for over 60 years. Founded in the summer of 1959 by a dedicated group of parents—including Mr. Leroy H. Rasmussen, Mr. Ed Weisinger, and Mr. Dallas Hunter—ACST began as a small school for American Embassy children. Classes were initially held at Villa Marie in Carthage, Salammbô, with three classrooms, three teachers, and eighteen students. Marie Ivory served as both teacher and principal, implementing the Calvert Home Study Plan with morning classes.

In 1961, ACST moved to its current location on the main highway between Tunis and La Marsa, occupying a villa and barn adjacent to a fruit orchard. Over the next four decades, the school gradually expanded:

• A new library and classrooms in 1969
• Kindergarten classrooms in 1980 
• An extended science laboratory in 1981 
• New music and art rooms in 1988 and 1990 
• Portable secondary classrooms in 1922 
• A new gymnasium in 1995 

During this period, enrollment remained under 200 students, primarily international, and in Kindergarten through Grade 8. In 1997, ACST celebrated its first Grade 12 graduating class, awarding diplomas to four students.

In 2000, ACST was authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP) for Grades 11 and 12, becoming the only school in Tunisia with this distinction. To meet IB requirements and accommodate growing enrollment, the school undertook significant expansion:

• Eleven new classrooms, two science labs, a computer lab, a library/media center, and a cafeteria/kitchen.
• Four modular structures and reassigned spaces, adding 14 classrooms, new offices, and an additional science lab.
• New High School and Middle School buildings with 12 classrooms and a doubled cafeteria size.
   

In 2002, the new U.S. Embassy opened across the La Marsa Highway, and in 2005, its recreational complex—including a swimming pool shared with ACST—was inaugurated.

By 2005, most original buildings were remodeled or replaced, with only the Arabic/Tunisian Studies and Elementary ESL classrooms remaining in portables. Enrollment grew to nearly 650 students.

The 2010s were marked by significant challenges and remarkable resilience:

The 2010s were a period of significant transformation and resilience for Tunisia and ACST.​

• Jasmine Revolution (2010–2011): Tunisia's Jasmine Revolution began in December 2010, sparked by widespread protests against corruption, unemployment, and political repression. The movement led to the ousting of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in January 2011 and inspired the broader Arab Spring across the region.
   
• 2012 U.S. Embassy and ACST Attack: On September 14, 2012, protests erupted in response to an anti-Islamic film, leading to an attack on the U.S. Embassy in Tunis. The unrest extended to the ACST campus, resulting in significant damage to school facilities. Fortunately, no injuries occurred. The ACST community quickly mobilized to clean and repair the school, resuming classes in just over a week. A generous grant from the U.S. State Department facilitated the construction of a new three-story A-Building with a 450-seat theater, completed in 2017.​

• COVID-19 Pandemic (2020) Tunisia confirmed its first COVID-19 case in March 2020. The government implemented strict measures, including lockdowns and border closures, which initially kept case numbers low. However, subsequent waves led to significant increases in cases and deaths. At ACST, proactive planning enabled a swift transition to distance learning. The school ensured all students had access to devices and implemented both synchronous and asynchronous classes, tailored to different age groups.

Despite these challenges, ACST demonstrated remarkable resilience, continuing to provide quality education and support to its community.

By 2017, as Tunisia's security and democratic institutions strengthened, the international community returned, and ACST's enrollment increased, reaching approximately 450 students. The school rebuilt financial reserves and initiated a comprehensive campus development plan.

The school continues to enhance its facilities, including the addition of outdoor basketball courts, a courtyard, a new fitness center, and the refurbishment of the gym, the Design Tech Room, and the Secondary Learning Center.

ACST remains committed to its mission of opening doors, hearts, and minds, providing a nurturing and dynamic environment for students from around the world.