American school at year 7?

[ughseniorschool]

Am considering the American School in London for my son entering Year 7 (US 6th grade) next year. (DH is from N America so there might be a move in our 5-6 year future) Bright kid who does well in school (B's in a competitive NW London prep school). He is in the top 25-30% of his current year. It is really hard to understand what they are looking for. If you had to compare it to another London senior school's admissions requirements, which school would you compare it to? St Pauls? UCS? City of London? Mill Hill? NBH Senior School? Highgate? Any admissions insight would be really helpful. I understand they dont interview so it seems (?) it is all about how the boy appears on paper ... Thanks!

[MrsSchadenfreude]

I have no idea what they are looking for either, but it is difficult to get in! Several of DD's friends applied to go there (from the American School in Paris), and the only ones to get in were American. And they weren't particularly academic either! I understand that there is also a significant contingent of local Brits there, as it is easier to get into the Ivy League from there, than from a British curriculum school, as they are much better clued up on admissions.

If you are keen on an American style education, how about ACS in Hillingdon or Cobham or TASIS?

[ughseniorschool]

Thanks - just seeing your response. Apologies for the delay. Not considering the other American schools b/c we live in central London. I keep hearing it is hard to get in to ASL. Considering they do not do interviews and they are not necessarily choosing the most academic kids ... I just dont know what to expect. Feels really random -- and frankly the whole 11+/senior school process is stressful enough without adding in (another) layer of random complexity . We might swipe ASL off our list.

[chicagogirl]

What about Southbank International School? My friends daughter is there and loves it!

[MrsSchadenfreude]

We're in Central London. There is a school bus to Hillingdon from Central London, but it would make quite a long day. Southbank is another option - were you looking specifically for American education - eg leading to AP or IB, or an IB school?

[SBSF]

Yes, it is a very different admission system to the North London private schools (thank goodness). We moved from the US to London and applied to a number of school on your list and to ASL. I would suggest touring the school and also having your son do a "shadow day". The school was perfect for us especially as we will likely be heading back to the US. The school is great and my son loves it and will be devastated to leave. The school teaches an American curriculum and many students go on to colleges in the US, but a number do go on to UK universities. My son's grade year is predominately American children, some of whom have come from London prep schools, and there are also British children from both the privates and the local state schools as well as children from many other nationalities. If you know you will be heading to the US this would be a great option. The school is selective, but I think it is genuinely looking for a well rounded child and not a child who has been prepped for the last 7 years for the 11+. I would not dismiss it without first taking a look. Please feel free to message me.