American School of Paris

Educational Philosophy at ASP

The American School of Paris is built on a clear and enduring educational philosophy: to combine the structure and rigour of an American college-preparatory curriculum with the international mindedness of the IB framework, all delivered in a fully English-language environment.

Three Pillars

ASP officially identifies three core values that guide everything from classroom instruction to extracurricular life:

• Academic excellence — every student is challenged to reach the highest standards through a demanding programme that includes AP and IB Diploma courses
• Personal well-being — guidance counsellors at each division level, a school nurse, and a robust child safeguarding policy ensure students thrive emotionally as well as academically
• Global citizenship — with more than 65 nationalities on campus, students develop genuine cross-cultural competence as a lived daily experience, not merely a curriculum objective

American Roots, Global Reach

Founded in 1946 to serve American expatriates in post-war Paris, ASP has always balanced a distinctly American educational identity — letter grades, AP exams, prom — with an openness to the world. The school operates as a non-profit association (Association Loi 1901), underscoring its community-driven rather than commercial orientation.

The 'Going Beyond' Vision

In 2019, ASP articulated its strategic vision: to be a catalyst for positive change in and out of school, fostering a global community of changemakers. This aspiration shapes curriculum innovation, facility investment (the 350-seat Performing Arts Center, Design & STEM labs with 3D printers and robotics), and co-curricular offerings such as Model UN, FIRST Lego League, and the Green Team.

Holistic in Practice

The school's commitment to holistic education is visible in its breadth of after-school activities — over 100 clubs and programmes spanning drama, jazz band, community service, competitive tennis, and environmental activism — as well as in French chef-prepared lunches and a gated, 12-acre campus designed to feel safe and stimulating. ASP aims to graduate well-rounded young people ready for the world's leading universities and, beyond that, ready to contribute meaningfully to society.

A History Spanning Eight Decades

The American School of Paris has one of the longest continuous histories of any international school in Europe. Its story mirrors the arc of American engagement with the world since World War II.

1946 — A School Born of Necessity

In the immediate aftermath of World War II, American corporations, government agencies, and diplomatic missions sent large numbers of personnel to France to assist in reconstruction. These families needed schooling for their children that would allow seamless re-entry into the American education system. ASP was founded in 1946 precisely to meet this need, establishing the English-language, American-curriculum model that still defines the school today.

Growth Through the Cold War Era

Through the 1950s and 1960s, Paris remained a major hub for American business and diplomatic activity, and ASP grew accordingly. The school moved to its current location in Saint-Cloud, a leafy suburb to the west of Paris, establishing a permanent campus that would be expanded many times over the coming decades.

1979 — IB Authorisation

A pivotal milestone came on 1 September 1979, when ASP was authorised as an IB World School. This broadened the school's academic offer beyond the purely American model and signalled its commitment to internationally recognised qualifications — a strategic move that made ASP relevant to the growing diversity of its student population.

Facility Investment and Modernisation

In subsequent years, the campus was transformed. A Performing Arts Center with a 350-seat theatre and a Black Box theatre, dedicated art studios, a Design & STEM lab equipped with 3D printers and robotics, and music studios were added, making ASP one of the most comprehensively equipped day schools in France.

2019 — 'Going Beyond' Strategy

In 2019, ASP adopted a new strategic framework — Going Beyond — articulating a vision of the school as a catalyst for positive change and a community of global changemakers. This strategy has shaped subsequent curriculum innovation and community engagement initiatives.

Today

With more than 18,000 alumni, approximately 800 current students from over 65 nations, and accreditations from CIS, NEASC, and the IBO, ASP stands as one of the most respected American international schools in Europe.

Campus Life at ASP

The American School of Paris occupies a gated, secure campus of more than 12 acres in Saint-Cloud, a quiet residential suburb approximately 10 kilometres west of central Paris. The campus is one of the largest operated by an international school in the Paris region and has been deliberately designed to feel both stimulating and safe.

Performing Arts and Creativity

ASP has invested heavily in arts infrastructure. Key facilities include:

• 350-seat Performing Arts Center — a professional-grade theatre used for school productions, concerts, and community events
• Black Box Theater — a flexible intimate performance space for drama and experimental work
• Art Studios (Art Link) — six dedicated arts studios covering visual arts, ceramics, photography, and more
• Music Studios — practice and recording spaces supporting Jazz Band, orchestral ensembles, and individual tuition

STEM and Innovation

• Design & STEM Lab — equipped with 3D printers, robotics kits, and prototyping tools
• Science Laboratories — modern labs supporting IB and AP Biology, Chemistry, and Physics
• Innovation Club and Interactive Design spaces — dedicated areas for project-based technology exploration

Sports and Recreation

The campus includes a sports hall, outdoor playing fields, tennis courts, and indoor pool facilities, supporting a wide range of competitive and recreational sport activities from cross-country to soccer to basketball.

Dining

ASP's cafeterias are staffed by French chefs who prepare hot lunches daily. For younger students, hot lunch is compulsory; middle and high school students may choose à la carte options. Snacks are available throughout the day, reflecting the school's attention to student wellbeing.

Community Feel

Despite serving over 65 nationalities, ASP cultivates a close-knit, family-oriented atmosphere. The school's relatively compact size (~800 students across 15 year groups) means students and teachers know each other well. Parents are actively engaged through regular events, and the ASP community's international character — with families cycling in and out on diplomatic or corporate postings — creates a culture of openness, resilience, and mutual support.

Admissions at ASP

The American School of Paris has designed its admissions process with the reality of expatriate family life firmly in mind. Corporate reassignments, diplomatic postings, and international moves rarely follow a predictable schedule, and ASP responds to this by accepting applications throughout the academic year for all grade levels.

Rolling Admissions

Applications for the following academic year open in October, but ASP processes applications on a rolling basis and will accept mid-year transfers when places are available. This flexibility is a significant practical advantage for families relocating to Paris at short notice.

Who ASP Is Designed For

ASP is principally a college-preparatory school for the children of expatriate families — diplomats, international corporate employees, and globally mobile professionals. Around 75% of students are non-French nationals, and only approximately 17% hold French citizenship. The school is explicitly not a school for French local families seeking an English-language education; its ethos, curriculum, and systems are built around international mobility.

Age and Grade Placement

Grade placement follows the student's home-country school system, ensuring continuity for transferring students. Children may enter from age 3 (K3) through to Grade 12 (age 18).

English Language Requirements

ASP's language policy is nuanced by grade level:

• K3 through Grade 5: Non-English speakers are welcomed; EAL support is provided to build English proficiency alongside academic content
• Grades 6–8: Some English proficiency is preferred, but additional EAL support is available for students who need it
• Grades 9–12: A solid level of English is expected, as the IB Diploma and AP programmes require strong academic English

What the Application Requires

Applicants must typically submit:

• Academic transcripts (last 3 years)
• School certificates and diplomas
• Health and immunisation records
• Teacher or principal recommendations
• English language assessment (where applicable)
• Disclosure of any special educational needs (mandatory; non-disclosure is grounds for admission reversal)

Selectivity and Waitlists

ASP does not publish an acceptance rate. Admission is based on academic records, maturity, and collaborative disposition. When a year group is full, applicants are placed on a waitlist and notified when a space becomes available. The school emphasises that it seeks students who will thrive within its specific academic and community culture.

No Scholarships for New Applicants

Financial aid at ASP is reserved for currently enrolled families experiencing hardship. There are no merit scholarships, sports bursaries, or financial aid packages available for incoming students — all new families are expected to pay full fees.

Academic Culture at ASP

The American School of Paris occupies a distinctive position in the Parisian international school landscape: it is neither a purely British-curriculum school nor a French-language institution, but a rigorous American college-preparatory school with a strong IB overlay and a genuinely global student body.

The Curriculum Offer

Students progress through three divisions:

• Lower School (K3–Grade 5): Foundational American curriculum with specialist teachers in art, music, PE, and library. French begins in the early years.
• Middle School (Grades 6–8): Core American subject disciplines (English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, PE) with French and Spanish language options, design technology, and arts.
• Upper School (Grades 9–12): Students may pursue the American High School Diploma, the IB Diploma Programme, or a combination including AP courses. Over 90% of Upper School students take IB or AP courses.

AP and IB Subject Breadth

ASP offers a comprehensive range of IB Diploma subjects at HL and SL, including Mathematics (Analysis & Approaches, Applications & Interpretation), Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Systems & Societies), Humanities (History, Economics, Geography), Languages (French, Spanish), and Arts (Visual Arts, Music). AP courses span Calculus, Statistics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Latin, Studio Art, English, Economics, and Government, among others.

University Outcomes

While ASP does not publish detailed university destination data, the school describes itself explicitly as a college-preparatory institution and reports that graduates are accepted at top universities in the United States, United Kingdom, and across Europe. The school's 18,000+ alumni network spans prestigious institutions worldwide.

Faculty Credentials

A majority of ASP faculty hold master's degrees, reinforcing the school's commitment to academic depth. Teachers bring international experience and are often qualified in both American and IB pedagogical frameworks.

Languages Across the Curriculum

French is a compulsory subject at all grade levels, contextualising students' education within the French cultural and linguistic environment. Spanish is offered as a second modern language from middle school. EAL support ensures that students still developing English proficiency are not disadvantaged academically.