The American School Foundation in Mexico City

The American School Foundation is the premier institution in Mexico for an American-style independent school experience. Open to qualified students age three through high school, ASF focuses on each individual student, identifying his or her unique strengths, talents and learning style and helping him or her to achieve academic excellence as an individual.

A distinguished history

The American School was founded in 1888 by a group of American industrialists, when John R. Davis brought his mother, an American schoolteacher trained in the innovative approach to education known as “kindergarten,” to Mexico. The school grew in numbers and grew out of several spaces before eventually building its current-day campus in the Tacubaya neighborhood in the 1940s. The facilities have undergone continuous updates since that time. Today, the Early Childhood Center, Lower School, Middle School and Upper School offer modern learning spaces, computer and science labs and athletic facilities.

Academics and more

ASF is an International Baccalaureate World School, offering the Primary Years and Middle Years Programmes to all students, and giving students in 11^th and 12^th grades the options of the Diploma Programme, choosing individual IB courses for a certificate or pursuing Advanced Placement or other course options. Students also have the option of receiving just a U.S. program diploma, or also a Mexican program diploma, which facilitates their entry into Mexican and other Latin American universities. Art, music and physical education complement academic subjects at every level and further our goal of creating well-rounded, lifelong learners.

Academics are the main focus at ASF, but we recognize many valuable learning experiences take place outside of the classroom. For that reason, the school offers athletics at every level, from recreational activities for kindergartners through junior varsity and varsity teams at the Upper School level. Sports available at ASF include tennis, swimming, volleyball, football, soccer, basketball and track. Other after school activities include clubs, language classes, arts and other cultural activities.

With students hailing from more than 40 countries, ASF is a truly diverse campus. Approximately 58% of our students are Mexican citizens, 28% U.S. citizens, and the rest come from around the world. Always striving for more diversity, including socioeconomic diversity, the school raises funds on an ongoing basis for scholarships, offering financial aid to nearly 15% of the student body at this time.

A promising future

Nearly 100% of our graduates attend the universities of their choice. Members of the Class of 2009 are now attending schools such as Yale, MIT, Georgetown, UNAM, the Tec de Monterrey and ITAM. Of that class, 44% chose Mexican universities, 42% chose U.S. universities and 14% are pursuing higher education in other countries, such as Chile, the United Kingdom and Korea. ASF has a full-time college counselor on staff helping students and parents prepare for that important decision.

A true community

Despite the great diversity among our students, families, staff and alumni, The American School is known for its strong sense of community. Annual events such as the Art Fair, Golf Tournament and Silent Auction draw thousands of participants and allow community members to maintain their bonds with each other and with the school.  In addition, a full-time alumni coordinator organizes social and professional events for ASF graduates both in Mexico City and in the U.S. and keeps alumni engaged via newsletters and social networking. Whether they attended ASF for one year or are “old timers” (those who attended from first grade through graduation), our alumni maintain friendships and connections that last a lifetime.

Join us! For more information on The American School Foundation and how you can become a part of our community, click here.