The American School in, London
Key Stats
Annual Fees: US$51K - US$59K
Curriculum: American
Age Range: 4-18
Students: ~1,350
Location: St John's Wood, London
Updated April 2026
In Brief
If you're relocating from the US and want continuity with the American system - or you're planning a return to the States - ASL is the obvious choice. The facilities are exceptional for central London. Expect a serious waitlist and fees at the top of the London market.
ASL is the reference point for American-curriculum education in the UK. Around 1,350 students from 70 countries attend its single St John's Wood campus, and an 89% re-enrolment rate reflects a community that tends to stay once it arrives. The school has shifted noticeably over the past decade - it describes itself as more internationally focused than before, with more non-American families enrolling. Students leave with AP credits and a GPA rather than A-Levels or the IB, which keeps their options squarely in the US university system while still offering good routes to UK and European institutions.
Facilities are a genuine strength for an urban school. The Aquatic and Fitness Centre holds a 25-metre six-lane pool - unusual for a London day school. The Make, Innovate, Learn Lab (MILL) covers robotics, 3D printing, laser cutting, and fabrication. Performing arts is strong with a 450-seat flexible theatre. Rowing is popular, with a boathouse at Chiswick used six days a week. Class sizes run to 18-22 in Lower School and around 15 in High School.
The waitlist is the main practical obstacle - it is famously long and moves in non-linear ways, so families should register well before their target start date. At GBP 40,188 to GBP 46,428 annually (inclusive of VAT), ASL is the most expensive day school in this guide. A parent's review from 2024 raised questions about curriculum focus; this is worth exploring directly with the school, particularly for families from different educational traditions who want to understand the ethos before committing.
What parents value
- –Outstanding sports and arts facilities for a central London school - 25-metre pool, MILL fabrication lab, 450-seat flexible theatre, and a dedicated rowing boathouse in Chiswick.
- –Strong university placement record. From 2023-2025, students won places at Ivy League universities (Yale, Harvard, Princeton, Cornell, Brown, Dartmouth) as well as Russell Group institutions including Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial, and Edinburgh.
- –89% re-enrolment rate and a close-knit parent community. The school's WorkX programme placed 135 students in 169 work experience placements with 65 organisations in 2025.
Points of consideration
- –The waitlist is long and unpredictable - cohort-dependent rather than linear. Register early and ask admissions directly about current waiting times for your child's year group.
- –At GBP 40,188-GBP 46,428 per year (incl. VAT), plus a GBP 3,000 deposit and GBP 2,400 capital fee for new students, this is the most expensive entry in this guide. Means-tested financial aid is available for over 225 students.
- –The American High School Diploma and AP pathway is optimal for US college entry. Families targeting UK universities should confirm how the school supports UCAS applications, particularly around standardised testing requirements.
Annual Fees
| Year Group | Age | USDTotal Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Lower School (Grades K1-4, ages 4-10) | 4 | 53,124 |
| Middle School (Grades 5-8, ages 10-14) | 10 | 58,977 |
| High School (Grades 9-12, ages 14-18) | 14 | 61,372 |
Fees converted from GBP. For the most up to date and accurate figures please double check with the school.
Additional Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition and re-enrolment deposit (non-refundable) | 3,966 |
| Capital fee for new students | 3,173 |
Academic Results
All students follow the American curriculum - broad in the early years, with specialist teachers throughout and AP courses in High School. Students typically leave with three AP qualifications (broadly equivalent to three A-Levels) plus a GPA. The school offers 1,608 university applications from 135 students in 2025, with 10 countries applied to.
From 2023-2025, students secured places at 232 US universities, 87 UK universities (including Oxbridge and Imperial), 14 European universities (including Bocconi), and 18 Canadian institutions.
Extra Curriculars
Facilities: 25-metre six-lane swimming pool and fitness centre · Make, Innovate, Learn Lab (MILL) with 3D printers, laser cutters, robotics · 450-seat flexible performance space (inspired by the National Theatre) · Dance, drama, and visual arts studios including ceramics and photography darkroom · Rowing boathouse at Chiswick (used six days a week) · Off-site playing fields at Canons Park for rugby, soccer, and baseball
The co-curricular programme is broad and well-resourced. Robotics, performing arts (ensembles, musicals, theatre productions), competitive sport, and international service/travel are all available. Most pupils do at least one after-school club per week.
The school runs a WorkX work experience programme placing High School students with employers in the UK and internationally. An Advisory programme from Grade 9 supports pastoral care and university preparation.
Inspections & Accreditations
Inspection
No published inspection details are currently available.
Accreditations
Accreditation details are not publicly listed.
Memberships
Membership details are not publicly listed.
Student Body
Around 1,350 students from 70 countries on a single campus in St John's Wood. Historically American-heavy, the school now describes its community as more internationally diverse, with more UK-based families enrolling than in previous decades. There is no school uniform.
EAL support is strong, and the school runs a summer programme open to both ASL and non-ASL students - a useful way for new families to get to know the community before the academic year starts.
Leadership
Robin Appleby
Robin Appleby has led The American School in London since 2019, having previously served as Assistant Head at ASL and held senior roles at international schools in Europe. He holds a strong focus on community engagement and the school's mission of courageous, lifelong learning.