American School London how hard to get in @ 11 ? (Year 7 UK)

[TwoWoo]

My son is in a prep and l recently moved close to ASL. Making a list of senior schools for my above average (but not more) DS (year 5) and l'm wondering would he have any chance of admission to ASL at 11?

I know it's difficult at the younger stage but do places free up further up the school? Would they consider non-US families? I went to school in NY as a child for a year and l have very fond memories of the US system but other than that we have no plans to live in the States. Would he have zero chance?

[njshore]

Yes, there is a lot of movement as american expats move back home. I'd keep in close contact with admissions office. I know at least 2 American families that moved back last September.

[TwoWoo]

Thanks nj, we are not American. Is the school only for US families? Is it strange for a non US family to apply l wonder?

[mouldycheesefan]

I know someone who went to a similar school for French families and it was difficult being in a school with such a transient population, you make friends then they leave. Repeat for 7 years.

[titchy]

Yes non Americans can go there, but very few U.K. students actually will. As the pp said your child would be constantly having to make new friends as very few of each cohort actually stay more than a couple of years.

[AveEldon]

I'm not sure why you would want to apply unless you were intending to finish their education in the US

[TwoWoo]

Because it's practically next door.

[AveEldon]

Yeah but your kid will leave with US qualifications - not UK ones or even the IB - how easy will they transfer into UK/European Uni?

[Wistfulthinking]

Hi I don't know about admissions and waiting lists etc, but I do know people leave and there is movement with students joining at different times.

From my knowledge, while the majority do seem do go to university in the US, a good number of students do go to U.K., Canadian and Australian universities and the American qualifications do not pose a problem. We are also considering ASL for our children in the long-term and are an English family.

[TheAntiBoop]

I understand there is quite a waiting list so best to get name down early

[user1475915413]

Hello
My kids are waitlisted for Aug 2017 for Grad 1 and Grade 4.
Did any waitlisted families hear back?
Thanks

[AgathaMystery]

I'm not sure if things have changed - I hope the have - but I have a US high school diploma and it was a real struggle back in the very late nineties to get into UK unis. No one wanted to know. I even got an offer at KCL that was withdrawn weeks later as they didn't understand my qualifications.

The other thing I would say is that the US system is very very different and is pitched much lower. At 17 I was learning things that we'd done aged 14 in the UK. Somehow it all comes right in college but maybe because you don't declare a major right away?

Anyway I'm rambling. My point is, the US system was about 200 times more fun than the UK but god it buggered up my uni experience.

[OutandIntoday]

I would be concerned that if my circumstances change that DC would struggle to adapt to state school and, as pp said, actually be behind his peers. I would also want to research that it was the best education for the money and that the negatives mentioned above were outweighed by the postives for my dc.

[claraschu]

Agatha I don't think it is that simple. US schools have no national curriculum, so they vary VERY widely. My friend's son, who is at a state school in the US is absolutely miles ahead of what my daughter, who is the same age, is learning in her UK school. There is no comparison.

I have seen that UK universities often are happy to admit Americans because they pay higher fees. That obviously wouldn't be relevant here, but I think the school is very good, from what I have heard.

[CruCru]

Friends send their children to ASL and are very happy with it. The families are not all American but do tend to be very international (although, to be fair, St John's Wood IS very international).

[Want2bSupermum]

clara That is now incorrect. Public schools in the US follow common core. It's been brought in to standardize education from K-12. Private schools do not have to follow it.

Check what curriculum is followed and compare it to common core. Personally I don't mind common core. It's challenging. You also want to check that they have a good range of AP classes and their past scores. Colleges with good reputations require top grades in a few AP subjects.

[claraschu]

Want2B my sister teaches in a public (state) school in NYC and all my high school friends send their kids to them. There is a huge difference in the curriculum between, for instance the Bard School, Stuyvesant, the HS of Business and Finance, and Princeton HS, just 4 of the public schools I know well in the NY area. They do not follow the same curricula and the common core is nothing like what UK state schools do to prepare kids for GCSE and A levels. I am sure that other states have even greater variety, but I just don't know them as well.

[Want2bSupermum]

What I do know from the younger years is that common core is the new universal standard that all schools must teach to. At high school there will be different standards because of the AP classes offered. Generally speaking 3 AP classes is about the same as one A'Level. Most kids going on to Ivy League schools in my town are getting top marks in at least 10 AP classes as well as other accomplishments demonstrating their academic ability including taking classes at community college and participating in activities such as model congress or the math olympics. We are in a poorly performing school district and have about 5 students a year progress to Ivy League schools. The rest of those who are going to college are doing 6-10 AP classes with plenty of the students aiming for college doing community college courses too.

When you have this diversity in educational goals you will have a diversity in curriculum within the same school. Our high school has a very popular vocational program for those who are not academic. That curriculum differs significantly from the academic program.

[tovelitime]

Lovely as the American school is, and it's great, as an international school it has a huge turnover of pupils, around 30% per year, was the figure they gave me when I last spoke to them. If you're a UK family planning on going through the school consider carefully if that's what you want at secondary level when friendships are massively important.

[MunichLondonExpat]

Getting a spot at ASL is not easy - as is the case at all top London Day Schools. In general, I think you will hear that parents are happy at ASL. The school offers great facilities, a good education, and recognition which helps in US college applications.
I am an ASL parent. Unlike many international schools around the world, ASL does not have a high turnover rate. If I recall correctly the past few years it has been less than 15%. Most international schools range 20-30%. Over the years expat families are staying longer in London and local families are applying which increases the competition for the few spots that open up each year. Being American helps but not necessary. The school does feel very American. It follows the common core curriculum. If your child plans to attend university in the US, I think it is a top choice for secondary / senior school education. Over the years the school has developed more connections to U.K. / European universities and more students are opting to stay in Europe. However, the vast majority still go to university in the US.
Fees will probably be a factor to many in deciding to attend ASL.

[Bartybass]

May I ressurect this thread please? My son is just finishing year 6 (he's 11, turning 12 in Oct), and I'm looking to get him in somewhere at 13 +. So I have a little time but wondering how hard ASL is to get into at that age for a child who has thus far been in the British system. Also I'd love any insights into ASL. I went to school in the U.S. (and various other countries!) But have v fond memories of the US system. I see they need the child to have sat SSAT tests or another one called ISSE or something. Any insights to which is better for a child who writes well would be great. Or recommendations for tutors who specialise in those tests...

[LondonExpatLife]

ASL continues to be a difficult school to get into. Being American does not guarantee a spot as well as not-being American prevent you from getting a spot. The main issue is that few spots open up in each grade. I believe it is easier to get a spot in the lower school because many expat families have young children versus in the older years (middle school / high school) because families are less willing to move.

Sibling applicants have an advantage. They apply earlier and are notified earlier.

I have children in the British school system. Every time I visit ASL, I feel I am back in the US versus when I visit my children's British schools. The children are all very welcoming and I believe this is a reflection of their own experience living abroad in various countries. They know what it is like to be new and move and thus easily welcome new students. As a parent, I think having your children make friends around the world even for a few years is a great experience. My children still stay in touch with all their best friends from around the world.

The SSAT vs ISEE are similar in certain ways in terms of subjects tested but differ in how the test is scored and tested. One test will penalise for incorrect answers while another does not. Writing is not scored. Sample of writing is sent to schools. See the link below:

iseepracticetest.com/blog/ssat-or-isee

I would prep your child for the test you decide to take. There are prep books for this you can buy on Amazon. The more familiar your child becomes with the test the better they will do. Learning to manage time on the test is crucial. In order to do well, you must finish the test.

Other option is ERB test results. This is the annual test many private schools in the US give students to access how well students and their curriculum performed. Personally, I prefer this test but you can only take it as a student at your school - I believe.

[LondonExpatLife]

Bartybass - I'm not sure if you are thinking of having your child apply for grade 8 (British Year 9) or grade 9 (British Year 10). Grade 8 is the last year of Middle School and no new class / cohort is added. So you are restricted to getting one of the few spots that opens up in the grade because someone moves. Grade 9 is the start of High School. A new class / cohort maybe added in this year, but I'm not sure.

I know a new cohort is added in grade 5 (Year 6) the start of Middle School. Thus, the chances are higher to obtain an open spot since more will exist. Grade 6 maybe a bit more difficult to obtain a spot if you consider there maybe more "local" applicants - meaning families who currently live in London. For example, families with a daughters who have taken the 11+ and need to find a new school apply. This coming school year, I know a few girls from Thomas' Kensington will be joining Grade 6 (Year 7).

You definitely will find children who have been educated a significant portion of their lives in the British system at ASL. Many of these children move to ASL either in Middle School or High School. From families that I have spoken to, the move is mainly because they want their child to attend a US university which they probably can afford given US universities offer very little to no financial aid to foreign students.

Keep in mind that many ASL graduates are opting to continue their university education in Europe - it is possible.

[Tupacca]

I have the same query as Barty! www.mumsnet.com/Talk/secondary/3036074-American-School-in-London?watched=1
Wondering where to find a tutor to help with ISEE. And do you think getting a spot at 8th grade might be tough?