most popular US expat schools, do we have this right?

[snapjack543]

Hi everyone,
First time poster here. We are considering relocating from the states to London in the coming year and it's come down to finding a suitable schooling situation for our current 3rd (10 yrs old) and 6th grade (12 years old) daughters (i.e. rising 4th grader, rising 7th grader).

We know there are loads of other factors, but one major consideration for us is where students are likely to matriculate. We are particularly keen on having our children attend university back in the states for several reasons. So far, the top of that list appears to be American School in London where more than half head to the states. There appear to be a few of other popular options that have been suggested for expats: International School of London, Dwight School, and Southbank. Most of these students matriculate to European universities, it appears, given what we've read on their websites.

Firstly, is our understanding of these schools accurate? (if not what are we missing?)

Secondly, are there state schools we should also consider in our short list? We've mostly steered clear of state schools and the entire catchment area discussions thus far but we're open to it if it looks like a realistic option (though it does not given how behind we are on the learning curve and ages for gaining entry to the most competitive state schools).

Thanks in advance for your insights!

Is that a personality thing though?

Curriculum covers the foundational knowledge and skills students need. Those skills and that knowledge apply universally.

There are different methods of imparting it, but in the end, multiplication is multiplication, calculus is calculus, grammar is grammar, and chemistry is chemistry, etc.

Children generally don't get a choice about the schools they'll attend, and when it comes to applying to university, they will apply to places they are likely to have a shot at getting into, with a ranking from safety to reach.

The OP has mentioned Big Ten and other schools in the midwest - excellent universities - and schools further afield.

The advantage of choosing a university in the US is that her DCs will not have to nail down their degree subject until the end of their sophomore year ( though if they're applying to Illinois, they will be required to state their preferred major on their application and apply to specific schools within the university so it's more than a little set in stone).

They will be able to choose a university that appeals to them, taking whatever factors into account that they feel are important - city vs rural/ small town campus, specific degree options they are interested in, reputation of the university in a specific subject, availability of campus housing, party/ sports mad school, sororities/ fraternities, etc.

Parents have a pretty good idea at 10-12 where their children will end up applying, and American parents have a pretty good idea of what they can afford, so they shepherd their children in that direction. Prediction and careful aim are important elements of university choice in the US and the majority of American middle class parents do this.

If they’re in the U.K. they’ll be eligible for home student status after 3 years

This thread has certainly struck a chord. It's overwhelming the opinions and we're thankful for all of them. For now, we've decided to focus on private schooling this coming year since we've missed the boat most state options and try again next year.

We have a much better sense of how secondary curriculum lines up with US curriculum thanks to you all. Both have their trade offs, and it seems IB is almost a hybrid of the two and we are certainly considering it if it's an option for us this coming year to get into a school that offers it.

@snapjack543
once you arrive, in terms of finding immediate schooling for your kids then i’d recommend contacting the local council and finding out where has current spaces in terms of local state schools. Nothing to lose. You might get lucky. You council might agree to tell you in advance where has spaces but wouldn’t be able to hold them for you until you had a confirmed address that you could proove. Privates won’t be too worried about where you live as long as you can pay the fees!

I've lived in the US and UK and have very recent experience of high school and the university systems in both countries.
If you are going to be in the UK until they go to university then I would 100% be encouraging them to apply to the top UK universities, they'll qualify for home fee status and you'll save close to $1,000,000 across all 3 DC's fees.
The top UK universities are at least as good if not better than T20's in the US and they can easily go on to do postgraduate study in the US, hopefully with an employer sponsoring them, at a later date.

Only one of my American relatives (NN) has offspring who got the "very generous" bursaries that MNers talk about. Is that because MN offspring are all hyper talented?

NN & their young adult offspring started plotting how to get him to Ivy League when he was about 12yo, true.

@snapjack543
British schools have set entry points, they don't redo admissions every year... plus private schools have a notice period of a term usually. So if you want State schools, you need to apply straight away. However your younger DD will go through Secondary admissions at the correct time (when she is 10, as you apply nearly a year before they start Secondary).

Many US universities gave up mandatory SAT/ACT scores so they could game admissions to let in more students from traditionally underrepresented groups who tend to score poorly on same.

@snapjack543 If your second oldest child just turned 9, not 10 as you said three times, your child would be in the equivalent of Y4 now, going into Y5 next Sept. So they'd have two years of primary school. You'd apply for their secondary school October 2025.

Lots of great advice on here. We moved from the US a few years ago and have personal experience of two of the international schools (with kids from KG up to college counselors) and the British system (incl going through the 11+). I’ve lots of friends with kids at ASL, ACS Cobham, Marymount Intl (not boarding tho) and TASIS, as well as different London schools. If you’d like personal insights, albeit with my quite opinionated overlay, please DM me. Happy to share!
Brief version: we love the PYP at the international schools for primary. Neither central London international school at secondary level has been any good - and that’s an understatement. Like, serious understatement, and the college advising is terrible. Our oldest DC is so frustrated and disappointed. We think the IB is excellent but you are still dependent on having experienced teachers who stay, and consistent leadership, as well as a motivated peer group. She’ll be fine but all she does is study and we’ve hired tutors. Luckily she wants British universities so we don’t have to worry about more than academics. Last year kids with top predicted grades had a hard time getting offers from top schools. They got the grades and took gap years - and now have the acceptances but it was very very hard on them, and really problematic that the schools get to show them off when clearly there’s something very wrong when the kids can’t get the offers in the first place.
We are very happy with the British private school our middle DC attends, lots of kids go on to top US and U.K. colleges, but I’m emotionally scarred from 11+ process. lol. We are in the process again but a bit more knowledgeable this time!
The majority of the American friends I have send their kids to ASL and feel very confident in it. Many have been there from KG, but there is a big departure of kids each year - but seemingly less than at the international schools. While every single parent I know at ASL is American, friends I have who went from the international schools to ASL, tell me it’s more international. The extra curriculars at ASL can’t be beat. The international schools in London don’t have the space.
ACS Cobham, TASIS, and Dwight are farther out of town and that seems to be what those parents like.
Another place to look for info is in the Times Parent Power tables. They list the top state schools as well as the top privates.
Feel free to DM for more specifics and/or personal experiences.