Colegio Franklin Delano Roosevelt

A Dual Academic Identity

Colegio Roosevelt's academic programme has a distinctive dual identity: for the bulk of a student's journey — from Early Childhood through Grade 10 — the school follows a US college preparatory curriculum broadly aligned with American Common Core and state standards. In Grades 11 and 12, students transition into the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), one of the world's most widely respected pre-university qualifications.

This structure gives FDR unusual flexibility. Families relocating from the United States or other American-curriculum schools can transition seamlessly in the lower grades, while the IBDP capstone broadens university options globally — particularly for students targeting institutions in the UK, Europe and beyond.

The IB Diploma Programme

FDR has offered the IBDP since 1992 and the breadth of subjects available is extensive:

• Language A: English A, Spanish A
• Language B / Language acquisition: Spanish B and other language options
• Mathematics: Multiple pathways (Analysis and Approaches HL/SL, Applications and Interpretation)
• Sciences: Physics, Chemistry, Biology (HL and SL)
• Humanities/Social Sciences: History, International Relations, Economics, Psychology (HL/SL)
• Arts: Visual Arts, Music (HL/SL)
• EAL Support: Available across all grade levels

Grades 9–10: Pre-IB Foundation

The Grade 9–10 curriculum functions as a pre-IB foundation, covering Mathematics, Science/Design, English, Spanish, Social Studies (History/Geography), Arts, Music, Physical Education and elective subjects. Students develop the independent research and analytical skills they will need for the rigours of the Diploma years.

Assessment and Accountability

Assessment in the lower school reflects US standards-based grading practices, while the IB years employ the full suite of IB internal and external assessments — including the Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge component and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) requirement. The dual approach ensures students are accountable to both domestic and international benchmarks.

Learning Support and EAL

Academic access is reinforced by a dedicated Learning Support Programme and English as an Additional Language (EAL) support, ensuring that students who join with different learning profiles or language backgrounds can access the full curriculum. With 42 nationalities represented, this safety net is critical to the school's inclusive ethos.

Origins and Growth

Colegio Franklin Delano Roosevelt — universally known as The American School of Lima or simply FDR — was founded in 1946 by American families residing in Peru who wanted to provide their children with a US-style education without leaving the country. Named in honour of US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the school was established as a non-sectarian, non-profit institution and registered with the Peruvian Ministry of Education from its earliest years.

Over the following decades the school expanded far beyond its founding expatriate community. It relocated to its current 9.3-hectare campus in the Camacho district of La Molina, Lima — a leafy, residential area in the south-eastern suburbs of the capital — and gradually built out the world-class sports, science and arts infrastructure it is known for today.

IB Authorisation and Academic Expansion

A pivotal milestone came in 1992, when the school was authorised by the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO code 000682) to offer the IB Diploma Programme for Grades 11–12. This authorisation allowed FDR to sit alongside the best international schools globally, offering students a dual pathway: a rigorous US college preparatory curriculum for the lower grades and the internationally recognised IB Diploma as a capstone.

Governance and Independence

Throughout its history FDR has remained firmly independent and non-profit, governed by a 12-member board of directors representing the wider school community. This structure has insulated the school from commercial pressures and ensured that decisions are made in the long-term interest of students. It is accredited by Cognia (formerly AdvancED) and formally recognised by the US State Department as an official overseas American school — a designation that signals consistent adherence to US educational standards.

From Expat Enclave to Multicultural Community

What began as a school for American diplomats and business families has evolved into a genuinely multicultural institution. Today approximately 56% of students are Peruvian and 44% hold international passports from more than 42 countries, with Americans making up roughly 21% of the student body. This demographic shift reflects both the school's growing reputation among Lima's professional classes and the enduring appeal of its English-language, US-style programme for internationally mobile families.

Location and Scale

The main campus of Colegio Roosevelt sits at Av. Las Palmeras 325, Camacho, La Molina, Lima 15023 — a verdant, low-density residential district widely regarded as one of Lima's most desirable neighbourhoods. The campus covers approximately 9.3 hectares, an exceptional footprint for an urban school, and the generous space translates directly into first-rate facilities.

Sports Infrastructure

FDR's sports offering goes well beyond what most schools in Latin America can match:

• Semi-Olympic swimming pool — suitable for competitive swimming events and daily training
• All-weather athletics track — supporting track and field competitions and physical education
• Baseball/softball field — one of very few school-grade diamonds in Peru, enabling competitive play
• Multiple courts for additional sports activities

The combination of pool, track and baseball field makes FDR a genuine multi-sport hub and enables competitive fixtures with other international schools across the region.

Academic and Arts Facilities

• State-of-the-art science and technology laboratories equipped for senior IB practical work
• Multipurpose auditorium and performing arts hall with full stage production capabilities — hosting drama, musicals, concerts and whole-school assemblies
• Dedicated spaces for visual arts, music and design across divisions

Roosevelt Commons — LEED-Certified Centrepiece

A flagship feature of the campus is Roosevelt Commons, a student hub building constructed to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) green building standards. This reflects the school's commitment to environmental stewardship — one of its core values — and provides a modern, sustainable common space for the whole school community.

Campus Atmosphere

Visitors consistently describe FDR's atmosphere as open, multicultural and purposeful. The generous outdoor space encourages informal interaction between students of different grade levels and nationalities, reinforcing the school's emphasis on diversity and community. School bus routes service the wider Lima metropolitan area, making the campus accessible to families from across the city.

Programme Overview

The Roosevelt Scholarship Programme is the school's flagship community outreach initiative and its most significant commitment to broadening access to FDR's otherwise high-cost education. The programme annually selects a cohort of outstanding Grade 5 students from the Lima metropolitan area and awards them a full scholarship covering tuition from Grade 6 through Grade 12 — a continuous seven-year commitment.

Eligibility and Selection

The scholarship targets academically exceptional local students who would not otherwise have the financial means to attend FDR. Selection is merit-based and candidates must demonstrate strong academic performance in their current school. Although the precise number of scholarships awarded per cohort is not publicly stated, the programme has a documented history of graduates completing their studies and receiving their high school diploma from FDR.

Impact

• Scholars join the mainstream FDR community, attending the same classes, extracurriculars and activities as full-fee students
• The programme has produced graduates who have gone on to study at universities in Peru and internationally
• It represents a meaningful proportion of the school's community service commitment, aligned with the CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) ethos embedded in the IB Diploma curriculum and with the school's core value of Service

Broader Community Ethos

Beyond the scholarship, FDR's community culture is characterised by a strong emphasis on social responsibility — a central plank of the school's mission statement ("create socially responsible solutions"). Students participate in service learning projects, the Global Citizenship Programme and leadership organisations such as the National Honor Society and Junior NHS, all of which reinforce the expectation that FDR graduates will contribute positively to their communities.

Admissions Philosophy

FDR's admissions culture reflects its dual identity as both an elite Peruvian institution and a school built for internationally mobile families. The overarching principle is that all students must be able to access instruction in English, so English proficiency is the single most important admissions criterion at every level.

Rolling vs. Seasonal Intake

The school operates a rolling admissions calendar:

• International/overseas applicants may apply at any time during the school year and will be considered as spaces arise
• Local resident applicants (Grades 1–12) are primarily assessed ahead of each semester start in August and February, subject to space availability
• Early Childhood (EC3–EC4, ages 3–4) admissions follow a separate, less competitive process

Assessment Process

• Early Childhood / Primary: Lighter-touch review; English ability and readiness assessed informally; academic records reviewed
• Secondary (Grades 6–12): Written assessments in English and Mathematics, a student and parent interview, and submission of transcripts and academic records are required. English proficiency equivalent to approximately TOEFL C5 level is expected

The Cost of Entry

FDR is routinely cited in the Peruvian press as the most expensive school in the country. The enrollment fee at the point of acceptance is approximately $18,500 USD, of which $1,000 is a refundable deposit paid upfront. Annual tuition then ranges from approximately $16,800 (Early Childhood, 2025–26) to $19,790 (Secondary, 2026–27). Optional school bus service adds between $1,440 (one-way) and $2,025 (return) per year.

What This Means in Practice

The combination of high cost, English-proficiency requirement and competitive assessment for secondary places makes FDR one of the more selective international schools in Latin America. Families considering application should plan for a robust English foundation before applying at secondary level, and should budget for both the enrollment fee and ongoing annual costs from the outset.