The American School Foundation Mexico City

A Legacy Built Over 135 Years

The American School Foundation (ASF) was established in 1888 in Mexico City, making it one of the oldest continuously operating international schools in Latin America. Its origins were humble: a small group of American expatriate families sought a quality US-style education for their children in Mexico, launching the school with just 9 students and a single teacher.

Over the following 135+ years, ASF grew steadily to reflect the cosmopolitan character of Mexico City itself. Today it serves approximately 2,500 students from more than 70 nationalities, with a full-time faculty of 220 teachers — roughly 60% of whom hold master's degrees or higher.

Key Milestones

• 1888 — Founded in Mexico City by American expatriate families
• 2001 — IB Diploma Programme (DP) authorized (October 31, 2001)
• 2005 — IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) authorized (April 18, 2005)
• Present — Accredited by Cognia and SAIS; serving 2,500+ students from 70+ countries

From Expatriate School to Global Institution

What began as a school primarily for American expatriates has evolved into a genuinely multicultural institution. ASF now serves a blend of internationally mobile families, Mexican nationals seeking a bilingual education, and students from across the Americas and beyond. This evolution is reflected in its expanding curriculum portfolio, which now encompasses:

• US High School Diploma (American curriculum)
• IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) for early/primary learners
• IB Diploma Programme (DP) for pre-university students
• Advanced Placement (AP) courses
• SEP-accredited programs for Mexican university entrance

The school's enduring mission — captured in its tagline "Educating global citizens since 1888" — reflects a remarkable institutional continuity across more than thirteen decades. Few international schools anywhere in the world can claim such longevity while maintaining both academic rigor and genuine multicultural community.

Academic Breadth Across Four Pathways

ASF's curriculum is unusually flexible for an international school, offering four distinct but interconnected academic pathways that can be combined to suit individual student goals:

1. US High School Diploma

The core of ASF's programme, modelled on American high school standards, prepares students for university entry in the United States and internationally. Graduates receive a recognised US diploma that opens doors to universities across North America.

2. International Baccalaureate (IB)

• IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) — authorized April 18, 2005, for younger learners
• IB Diploma Programme (DP) — authorized October 31, 2001, for students in the final two years of secondary school

The IB framework emphasises inquiry-based learning, international-mindedness, and a holistic approach to education that complements the US diploma pathway.

3. Advanced Placement (AP) Courses

ASF offers AP courses that allow motivated students to earn university-level credits while still in secondary school. AP courses at ASF can be taken as part of either the US diploma or the IB pathway, or as standalone enrichment.

4. SEP-Accredited Mexican Credential

For students who intend to pursue higher education at Mexican universities, ASF offers an SEP (Secretaría de Educación Pública) accredited programme. This is a significant differentiator from most international schools in Mexico City, which often limit graduates to internationally recognised but not locally recognised credentials.

Faculty Quality

Nearly 60% of ASF teachers hold a master's degree or higher, underscoring the school's commitment to academic quality. With a student-to-teacher ratio of approximately 11:1, class sizes remain manageable for individualised attention.

Language of Instruction

Instruction is primarily in English, with Spanish integrated throughout — particularly important for a school serving both international families and Mexican nationals. The bilingual environment prepares students for academic and professional settings in both English- and Spanish-speaking worlds.

A Philosophy Rooted in Character and Global Citizenship

At the heart of ASF's educational philosophy is a commitment to developing not just academically capable students, but whole, purposeful human beings who contribute meaningfully to an interconnected world.

Mission Statement

ASF's official mission articulates this clearly:

"We strive to be at our best: we love learning, live purposefully, and are empathetic, responsible, contributing citizens in an increasingly [interconnected world]."

This statement reflects a school culture that values intrinsic motivation for learning, emotional intelligence, and civic responsibility alongside academic achievement.

Core Values

ASF has formally adopted three core values that guide its community:

• Justice — fairness, equity, and integrity in all interactions
• Understanding — empathy, cultural awareness, and open-mindedness
• Truth — intellectual honesty and authenticity

These values are embedded in ASF's strategic planning, shaping everything from classroom culture to community events.

Global Citizenship as a Through-Line

The phrase "Educating global citizens since 1888" is not merely a marketing tagline — it represents a 135-year institutional commitment. With students from 70+ nationalities sharing classrooms and activities, ASF's diversity is both a product of and a vehicle for its philosophy. Students are continually exposed to multiple cultural perspectives, preparing them for leadership roles in multinational environments.

One Community, Built from Many

ASF's strategic planning documents emphasise a vision of unity within diversity — building one cohesive school community from a remarkably heterogeneous student body. This is reflected in the school's Financial Aid programme (supporting 405 students) and its commitment to making its education accessible across socioeconomic backgrounds.

Together, these elements — a clear mission, grounding values, global diversity, and financial accessibility — define a school culture that aspires to develop citizens as much as scholars.

Admissions: Standards, Language, and Access

ASF's admissions process reflects a school that maintains clear academic and linguistic standards while actively working to ensure its community reflects genuine socioeconomic diversity.

Academic Requirements

Applicants to ASF must demonstrate strong prior academic performance:

• Minimum grade average of 80% across all subjects
• No failing grades in any subject
• Official school transcripts and records required

English Language Requirements by Level

English proficiency requirements are tiered by age group:

• K1 and K2 (youngest learners) — no English requirement; all welcome
• K3 — intermediate level of English preferred
• Grade 1 and above — English fluency required, as all core instruction is in English

This graduated approach reflects a developmentally appropriate philosophy: younger children can acquire English through immersion, while older students need a sufficient foundation to access the curriculum from day one.

Assessment Process

For Grade 1 and above, admissions includes an English assessment and interview to evaluate readiness. Student records are reviewed comprehensively as part of the process.

Financial Aid: Making ASF Accessible

ASF operates a meaningful Financial Aid programme that supports 405 students (approximately 16% of the student body) with scholarships or fee assistance. This programme runs from GK through Grade 12, covering the full span of the school's programmes.

The school's official language on financial aid emphasises the breadth and scope of the programme, signalling that ASF considers financial accessibility a core institutional value — not merely a peripheral offering.

Fees

For the 2025–26 academic year, annual tuition fees range from approximately MXN 262,350 to MXN 333,800 (sourced from International Schools Database), varying by grade level. Additional fees for registration, re-enrollment, and extracurricular activities may apply.

Campus Life: Diversity, Activity, and Belonging

ASF's community is one of the most diverse in Latin America. With 2,500 students from over 70 countries converging on a single 17-acre urban campus in Mexico City, daily school life at ASF is an exercise in cross-cultural collaboration and exchange.

Extended Learning and Athletics

ASF offers an impressive breadth of over 30 clubs and activities through its Athletics and Extended Learning (AEL) programme. Activities are grouped across several domains:

Sports & Physical Activity

• Cheer, Karate, Taekwondo, Yo-yo
• Competitive/developmental Basketball, Soccer, Volleyball, Tennis, Swimming
• Fitness for Life

Arts & Music

• Ballet, Jazz dance, Drawing, Ceramics, Cool Crafts
• Musical Theater, Violin, Guitar
• Art Studio

STEM & Technology

• Coding, Maker's Club, Robotics, Rubik's Club

Academic & Life Skills

• Chess, Debate
• Top Chef (culinary arts)
• Mindfulness, Magic

Languages

• French Beginners

This range ensures that students of all interests and aptitudes can find a meaningful extracurricular home at ASF.

Campus Facilities

ASF's urban campus is equipped to support this range of activities:

• Jenkins Foundation Wellness Center — gymnasium and wellness facility (hosts major events including graduation ceremonies)
• Library and media centre
• Science and computer laboratories
• Music rooms and art studios
• Theatre / performing arts space

Financial Inclusion

ASF's commitment to community extends to financial accessibility. The school's Financial Aid programme actively supports 405 students, ensuring that the diversity of the student body is not limited by economic circumstance. This commitment to inclusion — across nationalities, cultures, and economic backgrounds — is central to what makes ASF's community distinctive.