Cities / London / The American School in London
The American School in London
ASL has been the default American option in London since 1951, settled at its St John's Wood campus since 1971. Around 1,350 to 1,400 students from roughly 70 countries on a US K 12 path with strong routes to American universities.
In brief
ASL has been the default American option in London since 1951, settled at its St John's Wood campus since 1971. Around 1,350 to 1,400 students from roughly 70 countries on a US K-12 path with strong routes to American universities.
The school runs a full American curriculum with AP courses in the upper years, no IB. Fees sit at the top of the London market, roughly GBP 40,000 in Lower School rising past GBP 46,000 in High School, plus a one-off capital fee. Re-enrolment in 2025 was around 89 percent, which is high for a transient expat school and points to families staying longer.
Families describe a relaxed, welcoming community, deep alumni networks, and teachers parents stay in touch with for years. The recurring grumbles are no school lunch in Junior and Senior Kindergarten, no foreign language until Grade 1, and a curriculum some American conservatives find too progressive on identity topics. Best fit for US-credentialled families on a London posting who want their children to slot back into the US system without friction.
Fees
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Lower School (Grades K1-4, ages 4-10) | 4 | £40,188 |
| Middle School (Grades 5-8, ages 10-14) | 10 | £44,616 |
| High School (Grades 9-12, ages 14-18) | 14 | £46,428 |
One-time fees
| Item | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Capital fee for new students | £2,400 | |
| Tuition and re-enrolment deposit (non-refundable) | £3,000 |
Reviews
- Parents of older children describe a happy, well-resourced experience. Friends of graduates say their kids loved the school and the community, and US college outcomes carry weight in admissions back home.
- Lower-school parents flag practical gripes that surprise them at this fee level: no cafeteria lunch for Junior and Senior Kindergarten (capacity is the school's stated reason) and no foreign language until Grade 1.
- A 2022 Ofsted downgrade and surrounding press attention pushed some parents to question how the school balances academics with its DEI and social-justice programming. Parents debated this at length, several arguing the framing is age-inappropriate in lower school.
- The fit point comes up across threads. Families settled in the UK long-term often default to the British system and treat ASL as best suited to American expat families or those heading back to the US.
- Facilities and most staff draw consistent praise even from critics, with the pool and the campus singled out.
Positives
- Community and graduate outcomes. Parents of older students report a happy, supportive community and strong US university placement.
- Facilities and staff. Campus and most staff draw consistent praise even from critics.
Considerations
- Lower-school practicalities. No cafeteria lunch for JK and SK and no foreign language until Grade 1, surprising at the fee level.
- DEI and curriculum framing. Parents split on how social-justice and inclusivity content is delivered to younger students; tied to a 2022 Ofsted downgrade in online discussion.
- Fit with British system. Families staying in the UK long-term often prefer the British system; ASL seen as best fit for American or globally mobile families.
Leadership
Matt Horvat
Matt Horvat is the ninth head of school at the American School in London, having taken on the role in 2023. He is committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for all students, emphasizing academic excellence and personal growth.
Accreditations
- Council of International Schools 01
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges 02
Academic results
- IB Diploma 2024 average 38 points
- A* / A at A Level 2024 52%