The American School in London

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The American School in London
Image: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 K-12 school in St John's Wood, London, England. 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 in central London, and maintains 21 acres of playing fields nearby.

Contents

History

The school was founded in 1951 by Stephen Eckard, who continued as head of school for 20 years. The original site was Eckard’s Knightsbridge apartment, and catered for 13 students. In 1952 the school was moved to Grosvenor Square to accommodate 135 student and 10 faculty members. In 1955 U.S. President Harry S. Truman addressed the graduating class. The school moved to its current facility, which was dedicated by Margaret Thatcher (then Education Secretary, later Prime Minister), in 1971.

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.

Mascot

The school's mascot is Eagle.

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:

Tuition

Tuition varies by grade level and is set annually. The school's admissions office provides current figures and entry requirements on request.

Student newspapers

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

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.

The Scroll

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

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-

Notable alumni

Commencement speakers

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

  • 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

External links