Established over 100 years ago, overlooking the capital city of Beirut, Universal College – Aley (UCA) is a learning community committed to providing children with a very nurturing and highly individualized learning environment with a strong reputation of academic excellence. UCA is a college preparatory school, licensed by the Lebanese Ministry of Education, offering the Lebanese Baccalaureate or the American Diploma. UCA was restored and re-opened as an Esol Education school in the year 2000, and is fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA).

The Universal College of Aley offers an AMERICAN CURRICULUM program of studies that is “college preparatory” from KG1 through Grade 12.  English is the “language of instruction”.  Arabic is also taught from KG1.  The focus of everything offered at UCA is to maximize each student’s achievement and preparation for successful transition to university study after graduation from UCA.  This preparation begins in KG1 and continues through Grade 12.  A great deal of emphasis is placed on “vertical teaming” to provide for seamless transitions from grade-to-grade and a continuum of continuous progress for each student.

Learning targets have been identified at each grade level for each subject area.  These grade-level benchmark objectives have been derived from subject area KG1-12 syllabi.  Students are guided to construct knowledge through experiences and relationships among and within central themes of various disciplines while “learning to learn”.  Recognizing the dynamic nature of knowledge, instructional topics are selected and organized so that students can make clear connections between what is taught in the classroom and what they experience outside the classroom.  As students probe these relationships, they are encouraged to explore and question.  Multiple perspectives are sought through the integration of disciplines, student interests, and technological resources.  At UCA students will view central themes and subject matter from as many cultural and intellectual viewpoints as possible.