Everything You Need to Know About The American School in London (ASL): Expert Advice for Parents

Understanding the ethos and character of The American School in London 

Founded in 1951, The American School in London (ASL) is a international school which has been located at its current St John’s Wood campus since 1971. The school believes in a giving-back, ‘mission’ approach, encouraging students to have a strong focus on the local community, give back on a grand scale, and develop a sense of how they can truly make the world a better place. The school strives to inspire students to thrive as courageous individuals and lifelong learners.

ASL feels international, outward looking and purposefully global in character. The school projects an ambitious, resource-rich academic identity rather than a small boutique feel. The community is large (around 1,300–1,400 students from 70 countries), so the atmosphere also feels energised and busy. They are keen to express that their identity has changed over the past 10/15 years. Previously their focus was more American but they have found that they are now more internationally focused and enrolling more UK students too, many of whom are local. Students are also staying with them more long-term than previously, and in 2025 they had an 89% re-enrolment rate.

The school’s building itself is quite a maze, with different sections for each part of the school. However, it is all attached with small outside spaces in the middle.

The Learning Environment 

At ASL, buildings and teaching spaces are modern, well equipped and intentionally flexible. The school emphasises a broad American-style curriculum with strong offerings in sciences, computer science and the arts. Their Make, Innovate, Learn Lab (MILL) is a major feature, a large space with 3D printers, laser cutters and equipment for design, robotics and fabrication, so practical, project-based learning is well supported. Furthermore, the classrooms tend to be light and adaptable and specialist spaces (art studios, science labs, etc), are well provisioned.

The school maintains strong library facilities (Lower School library and the Mellon Library for older students) and there are visible, central communal spaces used for study and displays. Many of the walls have students’ work displayed and this feels more casual than most London independent schools, matching the relaxed atmosphere and home clothes (there is no school uniform). It is further important to note that in the lower school, classes are between 18 and 22 pupils, with two members of staff. In the high school, class sizes reduce to around 15, which just one teacher.

Sports and Outdoor Spaces 

The urban campus is strong on indoor sports and aquatics rather than extensive on-site playing fields. The Aquatic & Fitness Centre houses a 25 metre six-lane pool, a fitness room and multi-purpose fitness space — a standout facility for a central London school. Their playing fields are off-site (e.g., Canons Park and other sites used for rugby, soccer, baseball, etc.) Furthermore, a boathouse for rowing is situated in Chiswick, and this is a popular facility used six days a week. While outdoor grass space on the main campus is limited, the sports provision overall is excellent for an inner-city school. Based off an American curriculum, it is worth noting that ASL do not play some traditional sports such as netball and cricket. Instead, they offer sports such as Basketball and Volleyball.

Extracurricular activities

ASL runs a broad, well-resourced extracurricular programme. Robotics and design, extensive performing arts (ensembles, theatre productions), sports and international service/travel are all possible opportunities. Summer programmes and holiday camps are also available and extend activity options. Given the size of the community and facilities, students have access to many clubs and activities across arts, technology, sport and service learning. Similarly, the school offers a large amount of after school clubs, and most pupils do at least one of these a week.

The school offers fantastic resources for the performing arts, music and visual arts:

• There is a dedicated School Centre for Education and the Arts (flexible performance space inspired by the National Theatre, seating up to 450), plus studios for dance, drama and visual arts. The arts building and studios are designed to be light and column-free for large-scale work (ceramics, darkroom/film, photography, etc).
• The Performing Arts programme is strong across grades with many ensembles, choirs and staged productions. They also run musicals, concerts and festivals. Music is embedded across grades (specialist music in lower grades, ensembles and choirs in middle and high school).
• ASL runs mentorship and ensemble programmes (peer mentoring, honor ensembles, school bands and orchestras).

Furthermore, ASL has a strong pedagogical research focus. Inspired by the project approach and the schools in Reggio-Emilia, the Kindergarten programme inspires learning through a playful inquiry, encouraging children to be competent in constructing and engaging in their own learning with teachers. All students throughout the school have access to specialist teachers for temporary support if they need it, and the school always welcomes parents to come in and discuss their child’s needs.

Admissions Guide to The American School in London

ASL is keen to emphasise that they take pupils into every year group every year. That said, they typically have long waitlists.

Their deadline is the 15^th January prior to entry in the September. They request the following:

• Applicant info (demographics including learner profile) – the US curriculum relies on communication and collaboration so they have to check they are the right fit for the student (this makes deeper SEN requirements a challenge but they can work with mild to moderate SEN.) They recommend sending any Education Psychologist or other assessments and reports you have, when applying. Also be honest about if the SEN was a long time ago (as you will still need to mention it.)
• School reports
• Teacher reference – confidential, and highly detailed.
• Parent statement – focusing in particular on why the student would benefit from an American education. This will be checked against the teacher’s report. The school highly values parental involvement and a sense of community.
• Student questionnaire, from younger children this can be a picture.

The waitlist is famously long, but moves quickly and not in a linear way (heavily cohort dependant) – so it is well worth signing up for it.

Some other key points to note:

• ASL have a well-connected parent community and it is always worth mentioning if you know other families at the school when applying.
• The school has a particularly strong EAL (English as an additional language) support, which is great for international students.
• Application windows – the first round closes on the 15^th January, and for those who do not meet that deadline, if they complete their application by the 15th march, they will be notified by 15th April. Applications completed after the 15th march will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
• They cannot sponsor CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies), but do have a team to support EAL students.
• Their main selective entry points are K1 (4+) and G4 (Yr 5), G6 (11+) but they do take occasional places into every year. They can take students at 16+, however, it depends on their academic history as to complete the High School Diploma they must meet certain requirements (i.e. 3 years language learning so they must have taken a language GCSE).
• Their admissions are very holistic, with no entry assessments prior to Grade 5. When applying to Grades 5-12, one recent standardised test in English and Maths is required such as the ISEE, SSAT, CTP, PSAT, SAT, AP. For more specific details on the tests required please click here.
• They have a big summer programme to help children prepare for school – this involves ASL and non ASL students. This programme is a great way to get to know families.

The Curriculum at ASL

All students follow the American Curriculum. The American curriculum tends to differ from the UK curriculum, offering more breadth in the early years, and enabling students to explore a wide array of subjects. Such an approach follows through into the high school curriculum,  allowing flexibility for students who are unsure as to what they want to study at university, or what career path they would like to take. Students typically leave with 3 X AP (equivalent to 3 A Levels) and a GPA. This allows their programme to remain more broad-based than A Levels. The administrative assistant at the school works as the director of external testing (ACT, SAT, AP’s and UK university entrance tests).

In regards to AI, ASL have a policy for it to be used supportively by students and they are also a phone free school.

Advisory Programme:

ASL offer an Advisory programme from Grades 9 to 12. The aim of the programme is to support the well-being of each student through a range of activities. Students are provided with the opportunity to meet with an adult who will be consistent in monitoring and supporting them through their educational journey. The programme further aims to address important topics outside the academic classroom that help with adolescent development and complement their studies. The advisory programme has a Grade level dean, who assists advisors and guides the class through class level events and the course selection process. Alongside the deans, there are four university advisors who start working with students at the beginning of Grade 11.

Leavers Destinations

In 2025, 1608 university applications were made from 135 students. 10 different countries were applied to in total.

• 115 students applied to the US
• 49 students applied to the UK
• 47 students applied to non-US/UK countries

From 2023-2025, students at ASL have been accepted to:

• 232 US universities and colleges. This involves Ivy league universities such as Yale, Brown, Harvard, Princeton, Cornell and Dartmouth.
• 87 UK universities. This involves Russell group universities such as Durham, Imperial College London, Exeter, Cambridge, Oxford, Edinburgh and Newcastle.
• 14 European universities, with Bocconi University and IE madrid being popular choices.
• 18 Canadian universities such as The University of British Columbia and the University of Toronto.
• 2 others: Northwestern Qatar and Tel Aviv University

Please read here to discover the full list.

Fees for The American School in London

• 2025-26 = £40,188 (lower school), £44,616 (middle school) and £46,428 (high school); inclusive of VAT. Fees are paid in two instalments, semester 1 and semester 2.
• Over 225 students at ASL receive some financial support and this ranges from 25% to 99%. This is means tested.
• There are also means tested supplemental aid for things such as tuition to bridge gaps.

How Simply Learning Tuition Can Help with Applications to The American School in London

Choosing the right school is one of the most important decisions a family can make, and with so many outstanding options across the UK, the process can feel overwhelming. At SLT, we specialise in guiding families through admissions to all leading international and American schools.

What SLT can do:

• Identify whether The American School in London is the right fit for your child and compare with similar schools. Please click here for more information about how our education consultants can help.
• Guide you through every stage of the application.
• Help with the parent and student statements to align with The American School in London’s values. Craft persuasive parent statements and student profiles that reflect ASL’s values of community and global citizenship.
• Support with academic preparation and standardised testing.
• Provide tutoring and mentoring to bridge to the US curriculum.
• Advise on waitlist strategy and alternative back-up plans.
• Help your family with a seamless relocation from the US to the UK. Please read our relocation guide for more information. 

The American School in London values creativity, collaboration and global citizenship — areas SLT can help develop through enrichment and mentorship. We work closely alongside families and schools to help find the perfect educational option for your child.

For any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What age groups does The American School in London accept?

The American School in London is a pre K-12 day school for students aged 4-18. Applicants for K1 must turn 4 by 31 August and applicants for K2 must turn 5 by 31 August.

Lower School: K1- Grade 4 (ages 4-10)

Middle School: Grades 5-8 (ages 10-14)

High School: Grades 9-12 (ages 14-18)

Does The American School in London offer financial aid?

Yes, The American School in London does offer financial aid. The Financial aid decisions are made independently. Any accepted applicant or enrolled student is eligible to apply for financial assistance, regardless of previous educational experiences, age, race, gender or nationality. To learn more about their financial aid, please click here.

What are the main entry points?

There are no main entry points for The American School in London. The school welcomes students in at every level/year group (lower school, middle and higher school). While the main selective entry points are K1 (4+) and G4 (Yr 5), G6 (11+), they do take occasional places into every year.

How does The American School in London differ from UK independent schools?

The American School in London differs from most UK independent schools as all years follow the American curriculum. ASL’s grading system and terminology is therefore different to other UK schools, and their assessment style is continuous. Unlike most UK independent schools, the students do not wear uniform. Their school culture also sets them apart, offering a more flexible, student-centered approach that aligns with traditional American schools.