American Embassy School New Delhi

Delhi's anchor American international school, on a purpose-built campus in the Chanakyapuri diplomatic enclave, supporting US Embassy and corporate expat families since 1952.

AES runs a Pre-K to Grade 12 American programme alongside the IB Diploma, accredited by CIS and Middle States. Around 1,113 students span more than 70 nationalities, with American families the largest group. Head of school is Dr Rand Harrington. Facilities are unusually deep for Delhi: a modern theatre, two gymnasiums, two soccer fields, athletics track, baseball diamond, tennis courts, pools, and a climbing wall. Fees of INR 18.4 to 31.9 lakh sit at the top of the Delhi market.

AES is the default for State Department, World Bank, UN, and embassy postings. Many American families request return tours specifically because of the school. Parents talk about the breadth of activities, the inclusive feel, and the strong service-learning ethic running through the curriculum. The natural alternatives in Delhi are the British School and Pathways World; AES wins on continuity for American track families.

• The default international option for diplomatic and senior expat families in New Delhi, sitting alongside The British School. The State Department fact sheet, parent comments and accreditation reports all line up on this point.
• Foreign-service parents describe Delhi as a posting where the school is part of why people bid for it, with multiple families requesting return tours specifically for AES.
• Teachers consistently rate the package and school highly. Salary is reported up to around $70,000, with social-security contributions and tax handling noted as unusually parent-friendly. Several called Delhi a place where you can save while living comfortably.
• The dominant negative signal is air quality, not the school. Teachers and parents flag pollution, water and street conditions repeatedly. The school has responded with air monitors and HEPA filtration to keep indoor AQI under 50, which both parents and inspectors have acknowledged.
• Admissions are tightly tied to passport and residency status. US citizens have priority, and Indian citizens face strict three-part eligibility tests. This frustrates locally domiciled families who hoped to access the school.
• Facilities are described as exceptional for Delhi, including a modern theatre, two gyms, athletics track, two soccer fields and tennis courts. Alumni recall it warmly, often by name and decade.