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American School of Tampico

Mexico, Tampico

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, Spanish
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 2 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 900
Type Co-educational
Opened 1917
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Advanced Placement (AP), American Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum
Taught languages English, French, German, Mandarin, Spanish
Typical class size 15
Strengths Performing Arts, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Leadership and Professional, Community and Service
Stages Infant/Toddler Care, Preschool, Elementary, Middle School, High School
Introduction

Founded in 1917, The American School of Tampico is a bilingual and bicultural international school in Tampico, Mexico. The academic program runs from Early Childhood through High School, with AP courses available in high school (eight AP options). Students graduate with a Diploma once they meet the graduation requirements, including full-time enrollment for three of the last four years and full-time status in 12th grade. The Language Division offers English courses and certifications (TOEFL iBT, TOEIC, SIELE) and is authorized by the Mexican Ministry of Education to grant the Technical Certificate in English. Admissions use MAP and SAT tests. The 15-hectare campus blends villa-style classrooms with outdoor spaces, a man-made reservoir for field science, archeological mounds, butterfly garden, and abundant greenery. About 900 students from seven nationalities share a learning community that emphasizes character, leadership, and global citizenship. Distinctive programs include Performing Arts, Visual Arts, and a broad athletics offering.

Hidalgo, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla #100, Tancol, 89320 Tampico, Tamps., Mexico

The Essentials

American School of Tampico has 900 pupils, typical class sizes of 15, instruction in English, Spanish.

Location
Located at Hidalgo #100, Tancol, C.P. 89320, Tampico, Mexico. The school sits in the Tancol neighborhood of Tampico, Tamaulipas, accessible via local roads. The postal code is 89320.

Stages
Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle School, High School

Type
bilingual and bicultural international school

Country affiliation
Mexico
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
The school has uniforms. Official uniforms are available through the Marlin Shop.

Food Options
Food and beverages are sold on campus during ASOMEX tournaments hosted on ATS campus, organized by the ATS Development Committee.

Governance and Ownership
The school is governed by The American School of Tampico Civil Association's Board of Directors. The Board supervises the administration and approves budgets, projects, and balance sheets, and assigns powers to faculty, administrators, and officers. Board members serve for a 3-year period and may be re-elected for a second term; the Board is self-perpetuating.
Fees
Application fees
- Admission exam fee: MXN 800 per candidate, payable at the Administrative Office cashier before the admission exam.

Tuition fees by year group (per term / per year)
- The school does not publish a public tuition schedule on open pages for the 2026/2027 academic year. The school requires completion of Step 1 of the admissions process (submission of the application form) in order to receive a detailed tuition schedule for specific year groups and payment options. Parents must submit the application form to obtain exact tuition figures by grade and the available term structures.
- Registration / enrollment fee amounts and detailed per-grade tuition schedules are not accessible on the publicly viewable registration pages (the registration/parent payment sections are protected and require user login).

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Standard due date: monthly tuition is due on the 1st day of each month; a ten-day grace period applies. If payment is made after the 10th day, a monthly late charge of MXN 450 is applied starting on the 11th day and is charged monthly thereafter. For 11-month and 10-month payment plans the first tuition payment is due on August 10 (11-month plan: August to June; 10-month plan: August to May), with subsequent payments due on the 10th of each month. Suspension for overdue payments: if tuition is overdue for three months, the school will suspend the student beginning the 11th day of the third overdue month. Report cards and enrollment for the next cycle require accounts to be current.

Boarding fees (if applicable)
- The American School of Tampico operates as an early childhood through high school day school; boarding services are not offered. No boarding fees apply.

Other costs and fees
- Admission-related: in addition to the admission exam fee, there may be enrollment/registration fees and other one-time charges that are distributed to accepted families as part of the registration package; these amounts are not published on publicly accessible pages and are provided to applicants during the admissions/registration process.
- Uniforms and school clothing: the school operates a Marlin Shop / official Marlins team uniforms and maintains uniform requirements; uniform purchase costs are charged separately and are not listed publicly.
- Cafeteria and meal costs, extracurricular activity fees, field trips, standardized testing fees (e.g., MAP, SAT where applicable), consumables, and optional program fees are charged in addition to tuition when applicable; specific amounts are not posted on public pages and are communicated directly to families or via secure parent portals.

Refund information
- No public, detailed refund policy for tuition or fees is posted on the publicly accessible payment and registration pages. Refunds, adjustments, and clarifications are managed through the Business Office; the Business Office contact for billing questions is C.P. Gloria Argüelles (garguelles@ats.edu.mx).

Fee payment options and procedures
- Accepted payment methods: payment at Banorte bank branches (use printed payment voucher), online payments via the school's payment portal, payment at the school cashier by debit/credit card only (the school does not accept cash or checks for security reasons), and bank transfer.
- Bank transfer instructions (pesos): Account name: ESCUELA AMERICANA DE TAMPICO AC; RFC: EAT890712V26; Bank: BANORTE; Branch: 0180 TAMPICO LOMAS; CLABE: 072813001800117061; Account: 0180011706; Reference: student matrícula; Concept: Pago Alumno...; email proof of transfer to garguelles@ats.edu.mx.
- Online and branch payments: parents generate a payment voucher through the Parents > Business Office > Payment Vouchers area (requires student matrícula and password), then pay at Banorte or via the online portal; online payments are routed to the school cashier and applied within 48 hours of notification. Late payments must be recorded on the payment voucher in the “RECARGO” box when applicable.

If specific numeric tuition amounts by grade, per-term schedules, registration fees, uniform prices, or refund details are required for database entry, those tuition and fee figures are issued directly to families after the application/registration step and via the school's secure parent payment/registration area.
Academics

American School of Tampico teaches Advanced Placement (AP), American Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum for students aged 2 to 18.

Curriculum
ATS offers programs from Early Childhood to High School. The school grants a Technical Certificate in English with multiple schedules, including two 1.5-hour sessions, 3-hour sessions, and Saturday options. Kids and Teens language courses are available with specialized materials and teaching staff. Eight AP courses are offered for high school students. Graduation is marked by a Diploma when students meet the graduation requirements—enrollment as a full-time student for three of the last four years and full-time in the 12th grade. MAP and SAT are used in admissions, and the Language Division provides English-language certifications such as TOEFL iBT, SIELE, and TOEIC.

Exam Results
ATS reports impressive college placement records. MAP and SAT are standardized tests used in admissions for 1st through 12th grades. The school offers a Diploma upon graduation after meeting graduation requirements. Eight AP courses are offered as part of the college-prep program.

Higher Education Progression
ATS maintains strong college placement records. Eight AP courses prepare students for higher education. MAP and SAT are used in admissions to evaluate applicants for 1st through 12th grades. Language certifications such as TOEFL iBT, TOEIC, and SIELE support students pursuing higher education and opportunities abroad.
Wellbeing

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The Languages Division offers English courses for all levels. The courses are authorized by the Mexican Ministry of Education to grant the Technical Certificate in English. Morning, afternoon, and Saturday schedules are available. Programs include Kids and Teens with specialized materials and teaching staff for young learners, and an Executive Plan with flexible scheduling. The school regularly surveys students to understand their experiences and improve the programs.

Safeguarding
School Conduct Manual 2025-2026 exists. Parents' Child Safeguarding Handbook is provided for parents. A Privacy Notice explains how personal data is collected, used, and protected, including purposes such as identification, operation, and administration for providing academic services; data may include identification, employment, family, health, and biometric data. If a data subject disagrees with the use of their information, they should not provide personal data.
Parent Experience

History
Founded in 1917, The American School of Tampico is a long-standing bilingual and bicultural institution in Tampico. It has grown to offer education for Mexico, the United States, and beyond. The school emphasizes academic rigor, character development, independent thinking, leadership, and global citizenship, with small class sizes, personalized learning, and a well-rounded curriculum including arts, sports, and technology. It continues to evolve while maintaining its foundational mission.

Community
ATS community life includes a PTA, a Development Committee, The ATS Legacy Association, Student Organizations, Student Ambassadors, and ATS School Spirit Activities.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The PTA is a dynamic group of dedicated parents and teachers who work together to enhance the educational experience. They organize advocacy and holiday celebrations. They host events such as Halloween decorations, the ATS Padel Tournament, Early Childhood Easter Celebration, Children's Day, Teachers' Day, and Students Day 2025.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The ATS facilities consist of a state-of-the-art, 15-hectare campus designed to support learning and personal development. The grounds overlook freshwater lagoons to the west and include a man-made reservoir that serves as an outdoor lab for hands-on learning. Archeological mounds uncovered during the first phase of construction add a historical element to the setting. Villa-style classrooms open directly to outdoor spaces and are surrounded by gardens with bougainvilleas and palm trees. A butterfly garden attracts a variety of species year-round, contributing to a serene learning environment. Classrooms are spacious, well-lit, air-conditioned, and equipped with high-tech resources to foster innovation and academic excellence. These features create a dynamic space where students grow academically and personally.

Academic Facilities
Villa-style classrooms open directly to outdoor spaces, surrounded by gardens. The classrooms are spacious, well-lit, air-conditioned, and equipped with high-tech resources to support teaching and learning. A 15-hectare campus layout includes an outdoor lab created by a man-made reservoir, expanding hands-on science experiences. The ATS facilities balance indoor and outdoor learning, enabling inquiry and exploration across grades.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school offers eight AP courses. The school serves about 900 students and hosts students from seven nationalities, creating a diverse learning community. Fifteen extracurricular activities supplement classroom learning and provide opportunities for academic enrichment. The school has four student organizations that provide leadership experiences and campus involvement.

Arts & Creative
The Performing Arts program aligns with the National Core Arts Standards, delivering a high-quality arts education. From preschool onward, disciplines include Visual Arts, Drama, Dance, and Musical Instruments, with Early Music Education starting in Preschool. In Middle School and High School, students rotate through Percussion, Vocal Music, Visual Arts, and Music Ensemble, with elective options to specialize in later grades. Regular arts events and a dedicated theater host major showcases of student work.

Cultural & Language
Languages Division aims to integrate the four language skills—speaking, writing, reading, and listening—through autonomous learning and authentic communication. English courses are offered for all levels and are authorized by the Mexican Ministry of Education to grant the Technical Certificate in English. The division provides English language certifications such as TOEFL iBT, TOEIC, and SIELE, among others. It also features a Self-Access Learning Center to support language learners.

Social & Hobbies
Student organizations foster community, leadership, and personal growth. Student Ambassadors are selected to promote ATS and represent the school to prospective families. Associations like the NHS and the Student Council provide opportunities for teamwork, service, and academic development.

Community & Service
The ATS Legacy Association is a community of alumni mothers dedicated to enhancing ATS facilities, programs, and the overall educational experience. It funds initiatives through events such as the Movie Night, Marlin Dash, and the Golf Tournament to support infrastructure and campus improvements. Funds raised support scholarships and campus enhancements.

Leadership & Professional
Student Ambassadors are an exceptional group selected to promote and represent ATS to prospective families. Ambassadors are chosen based on academic achievement, involvement in campus activities, leadership qualities, and potential for future leadership roles. Student associations foster leadership development and provide networking opportunities for students.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Athletics are emphasized to develop students' physical, mental, and emotional well-being. The Physical Education Program offers a diverse range of sports to accommodate varied interests and foster healthy lifestyles. Extracurricular activities and athletic programs promote teamwork, discipline, and personal growth.
Languages

Language Provision
English is taught at multiple levels with a Technical Certificate in English; courses offer several schedules (two sessions of 1.5 hours or one 3-hour session) and span up to 10 levels in the English track. The school also offers private one-on-one instruction (Plan Ejecutivo) in English, French, German, Chinese, or Spanish for foreigners. Kids and Teens language courses are available with specialized materials. SALC supports independent practice and connects to classroom learning.

Immersion Programs
Self-Access Learning Center (SALC) supports independent language study and links to classroom activities. English courses are offered at all levels and a Technical Certificate in English is authorized by the Mexican Ministry of Education. ATS provides a private, one-on-one Plan Ejecutivo for English, French, German, Chinese, or Spanish for foreigners, with SALC as a study option. There are courses for kids and teens with specialized materials.
Admissions

Admissions
Admissions for the 2026–2027 school year will open soon. To begin, fill the Admissions Application Form. To take the admission exam, submit the required documents (Toddler to Kinder, Elementary, and Middle School) and, after documentation is received and an exam date is set, pay the 800-peso admission exam fee at the Administrative Office and present the receipt at the section office. Each candidate may have up to two application attempts. Standardized tests (MAP, SAT) may be required for 1st–12th grades, and all subjects must be passed with a minimum grade of 8 (as applicable to Elementary and Middle levels). The Admissions Committee and the administrator review applications and exams and make the final decision based on established criteria. Admissions informs the academic section of the decision, and notices to students and parents are issued by Admissions. If admitted on probation or lacking documents, a signed next steps letter is issued. There is a Reintegration/Re-Admission process: submit a Re-Application Form, review academic history, an interview and possibly an admission exam if out 6+ months, a final decision by Admissions, reintegration orientation and plan, and follow-up. Application Period 26–27; 2026–2027.
School Events
The school has not added events
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