The American School in London

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The American School in London
ASL blk.jpg
Established 1951
Type International, Non-profit
Students 1,350
Grades K–12
Location London, United Kingdom
Colors Orange and Black
Mascot Eagle
Head of School Coreen Ruiz Hester
Website http://www.asl.org

The American School in London is an international, independent K-12 school in St John's Wood, London, England for students aged between 4 and 18 years. Established in 1951 by Princeton graduate Stephen Eckard, it is the oldest American school in the city and the only non-profit American school in England. As of September 2006 the school has an enrollment of 1,344 students.

ASL is situated on 3.5 acres (14,000 m2) in central London, and maintains 21 acres (85,000 m2) of playing fields nearby.

The school follows an American structure and is organised into three departments: the lower, middle and high schools. Although the majority of students hold American citizenship, the school has a strong international flavour with over 50 countries represented. Less than a tenth of the students speak a principal language other than English. A little over half of these require additional support in the subject. The school provides additional learning support to nearly one-fifth of the students although none of them have a statement of special educational need. The school’s stated mission is to provide an ‘American education of the highest quality’ to the families it serves. The school functions as an important cultural centre for American families in London and maintains close links with the American Embassy.

Contents

[edit] History

ASL was founded in 1951 by Stephen L. Eckard, an American journalist and former teacher living in London. Mr. Eckard was working for the North American Service of the BBC when several co-workers encouraged him to start a school that followed an American curriculum. The School began with 13 students, and all classes took place in his Knightsbridge flat.

Within half a year, the School had become so popular that three teachers were hired and it was moved to a more spacious property in Chelsea. An alumnus of ASL in its early years remembered Mr. Eckard wearing many hats: "Headmaster, counselor, teacher, administrator, even bus driver – Stephen Eckard did it all."

The School continued to grow, moving first to a large house in Grosvenor Square and then adding two houses in Gloucester Gate and four houses in York Terrace. Students played sports at Regent’s Park and on the lawn of Winfield House, the residence of the US ambassador.

The first High School graduation was held in 1960, an event that brought Mr. Eckard much joy. "It would be difficult to exaggerate the pride I feel in our School’s first graduating class," he said. "To the extent that it marks a milestone of achievement for me in the development of the American School in London, I hope this feeling is shared by the Senior Class."

In 1964, the newly formed Board of Trustees made the landmark decision to raise funds for a $7 million building to house the whole School. They broke ground in 1968 with the help of Ambassador David K.E. Bruce. The cornerstone was laid two years later by Ambassador Walter Annenberg. The Rt. Hon. Margaret Thatcher, MP, then secretary of state for education and science, spoke at the building’s dedication in 1971.

In September 2000, the School opened a new High School wing, which included an additional 24,000 square feet (2,200 m2) of space, a new gym, art studios, computer labs and a renovated library.

In June 2006, the School broke ground on the School Center for Education and the Arts, to create a 450-seat theater and new flexible teaching and performance space. The Center was completed in the Winter of 2007 and officially opened in March 2008.

[edit] Mission Statement

Our mission is to develop the intellect and character of each student by providing an outstanding American education with a global perspective.

[edit] Facilities

ASL is housed on 3.5 acres (14,000 m2) in central London, and maintains 22 acres (89,000 m2) of playing fields nearby.

In addition to 80 classrooms, the School has 17 computer centers; nine science labs; five music rooms; five art studios; a photography darkroom; recording studio; a state-of-the-art language lab; two libraries with a total of 50,000 volumes; two gyms; and two playgrounds. The School Center for Education and the Arts was renovated in 2007, and seats 450 people.

[edit] Tuition

Day Student Tuition: £17,780 - £21,500 pa

Tuition varies by grade level and is set annually. The school's admissions office provides current figures and entry requirements on request. The school has a need-based financial-aid program, employing forms and analysis based on those used by the School and Student Service (SSS) for Financial Aid in the US. Interested families should contact the admissions office.

[edit] Accreditation and memberships

The American School in London is accredited by the United States Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and the European Council of International Schools. It also belongs to the National Association of Independent Schools and the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education.

[edit] Mascot

The school's mascot is Eagle, but the Rugby team is called the Pirates.

[edit] World travels

A recent program from the alumni office has seen Eagle traveling around the world visiting alumni, and sharing his experiences through an online travel blog, Wingin It.

Eagle has visited:

[edit] Student newspapers

The school has two student newspapers, The Standard and The Scroll.

[edit] The Standard

The Standard is the High School newspaper, and has a circulation of over 1000 (with additional readership through the school's website), with a volunteer student staff of 11 editors and 30 writers. The Standard was a 2007 Pacemaker Finalist.

[edit] The Scroll

The Middle School newspaper is The Scroll with a staff of ten section editors and two photography editors.

[edit] Heads of School

  • Stephen Eckard, founder, head of school 1951-1971
  • Jack Harrison, head of school 1971-1986
  • William E. Harris, head of school 1986-1991
  • William Greenham, interim head of school 1991-1992
  • Judith L. Glickman, head of school 1992-1998
  • William C. Mules, spent 25 years spent at the McDonogh School previous to working at ASL, head of school 1998-2007
  • Coreen Ruiz Hester, former head of the high school at ASL and head of the Hamlin School, head of school 2007-

[edit] Notable alumni

[edit] Commencement speakers

Each year the school invites a notable speaker to address the High School class during their commencement. Previous speakers include:

  • 2009 Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer
  • 2008 Jacob Lief '95, founder of Ubuntu Education Fund.
  • 2007 Dr. William C. Mules, Head of School at The American School in London, 1998-2007
  • 2006 Charles Walker, ’86 MP
  • 2005 Dr. Norman R. Smith, President, Richmond, The American International University in London
  • 2004 Prof. James Cuno, Director, Courtauld Institute of Art
  • 2003 Billy Collins, Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the United States Library of Congress
  • 2002 Sue McGregor, OBE, Former Presenter Today Program, BBC Radio 4
  • 2001 Warren M. Hoge, London Bureau Chief, The New York Times
  • 2000 T.R. Reid, London Bureau Chief, The Washington Post
  • 1999 Lord Falconer of Thoroton, Minister of State
  • 1998 The American Ambassador, The Honorable Philip Lader
  • 1997 The American Ambassador, The Honorable William J. Crowe
  • 1996 Daniel Pedersen, London Bureau Chief, Newsweek Magazine
  • 1995 Matthew Parris, Columnist, The Times
  • 1994 William Roedy
  • 1993 The American Ambassador, The Honorable Raymond Seitz
  • 1988 Howell Raines, London Bureau Chief, The New York Times
  • 1987 William Ruston
  • 1985 The Rt. Hon. The Lord Chalfont, O.B..E M.C. P.C.
  • 1984 The High Commissioner for Canada, His Excellency The Honourable Donald C. Jamieson P.C.
  • 1983 The American Ambassador, John Louis Jr.
  • 1980 Arthur Schlesinger Jr.
  • 1979 Vice-Admiral Joseph P. Moorer
  • 1975 The Right Honorable, The Ambassador, Mr. Elliott Richardson
  • 1971 The Lord Chancellor, Lord Hailsham
  • 1969 Thomas R Byrne, Labor Attache, American Embassy, London Board of Governors, Georgetown University

[edit] External links

Coordinates: 51°32′05″N 0°10′36″W / 51.5348°N 0.1766°W / 51.5348; -0.1766

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