doris
doris
Find Schools
Events
Saved schools
My account
Parent Guide Parent testimonials Community Transparency Charter About For Schools
Currency
T

The American School Foundation

Mexico, Mexico City

Save school
Share
Navigate

· Reviewed by · Co-founder & CEO

Independently researched by doris.
Not yet claimed by the school
Claim your profile
The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 2548
Type Co-educational
Opened 1888
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP), IB (PYP), IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum
Taught languages Spanish, English
Typical class size 22
Strengths Sport, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Middle School, Secondary School, High School
Introduction

The American School Foundation (ASF) in Mexico City is a non-profit independent school accredited outside the United States. Founded in 1888, ASF serves Pre-K through 12 and educates 2,500 students with 220 teachers. The school awards a United States high school diploma and offers multiple pathways for study, including the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP), Advanced Placement (AP) courses, and the Mexican Program. The IB Primary Years Programme is available in the Early Childhood Center through Lower School, with the DP for Grades 11–12; the Mexican Program provides SEP validation for entry to Mexican universities and UNAM certification for Grades 10–12. Services for Academic Inclusion (SAI) deliver inclusive education and tailored support. The campus houses the ECC, Lower, Middle and Upper Schools, and on-site athletic facilities such as a weight room, cardio room, pool, track and tennis courts. Extended Learning provides 25+ after-school activities across athletics, arts and brain activities.

Bondojito 215, Las Américas, Álvaro Obregón, 01120 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

The Essentials

The American School Foundation has 2,548 pupils, typical class sizes of 22, instruction in English.

Location
Bondojito 215, Col. Las Américas Ciudad de México, México CP 01120

Stages
Early Childhood Center (K1 - K3); Lower School (Grade 1 - 5); Middle School (Grade 6 - 8); Upper School (Grade 9 - 12)

Type
The school is a non-profit organization delivering an American independent education; accredited American School outside the U.S.

Pupil Nationality Mix
70+ nationalities represented; 2,500+ students from K1 to Grade 12

Country affiliation
United States (affiliation as an American independent school; accredited American School outside the U.S.)

Bus service
The school offers bus transportation with campus access procedures; buses require a sign with the school name, and students should carry their school IDs as part of security procedures.
Diving Deeper

Governance and Ownership
The American School Foundation is a non-profit organization. The school is governed by a 15-member Board of Trustees elected by members of The American School Foundation, with ten members requiring U.S. citizenship. The Board holds the school in trust, develops and oversees the strategic plan, maintains financial health and philanthropic support, ensures the physical campus supports the mission, and monitors the educational program and governance practices.
Fees
Application / Registration Fees
- A one-time application/admission charge (per student) is required at enrollment. Registration (inscripción/reinscripción) fees are billed in December and March each school year.

Tuition fees (by school division)
- Early Childhood / Preschool (K1–K3): MXN 24,985 per month; annual figure listed MXN 274,835.
- Lower School (Grades 1–5): MXN 28,795 per month; annual figure listed MXN 316,745.
- Middle School (Grades 6–8): MXN 31,115 per month; annual figure listed MXN 342,265.
- Upper School / High School (Grades 9–12): MXN 31,790 per month; annual figure listed MXN 349,690.

How tuition is billed and the school year structure
- Tuition is charged on a recurring monthly schedule from August through May each academic year. Registration fees are billed in December and March. The school uses the Diario Oficial de la Federación exchange rate on the date a charge is made when converting currencies.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Monthly tuition installments are billed across the academic months (August–May). Registration fees are billed in December and in March. The school applies the official federal exchange rate on the date of charge for any currency conversions. Timely payment obligations and any late‑payment consequences are handled under the school's billing policies.

Boarding / Residential fees
- Boarding is not part of the core program listings for the school's divisions; there are no published boarding or residential tuition categories for the standard K–12 programs. (The school's listed programs are Early Childhood, Lower, Middle and Upper School.)

Other costs and typical additional charges
- School bus / transportation: a mandatory or optional bus program is offered; prior fee schedules have shown separate monthly/annual charges for full-route and special routes and alternative service options. Example historical figures published for earlier cycles include separate monthly bus fees and special-route surcharges.
- Testing / assessment fees: separate one‑time testing or admissions assessment fees have been charged in prior published fee schedules.
- School supplies, uniforms, extracurricular activity fees, lab fees, school ID and student activity charges apply as additional costs and are billed separately when relevant to a grade level or program activity. Fee manuals used in the wider ASF network also list student medical/insurance contributions as a separate charge in some campuses.

Refund information
- Registration/admission payments are handled under the school's billing and fee policies. Refund eligibility and deadlines (for example, written notice timing to qualify for any refundable portion of pre‑payments) are defined in the school's fee and billing policies. Parents should note that registration/admission charges are commonly treated as non‑refundable by independent schools; the school's billing policies specify procedures for refunds and documentation requirements.

Fee payment options and invoicing
- For institutional invoices and supplier payments, the school requires electronic invoicing (PDF and XML) to the designated billing address and the use of bank transfers or checks for international supplier payments; cash payments are not accepted for supplier invoices. The supplier payment policy specifies that domestic supplier checks above set limits are handled by bank transfer.

Notes on amounts and billing presentation
- The monthly and annual amounts above are the published figures available for the school divisions; registration (inscripción/reinscripción) fees are billed in December and March and are a separate charge from monthly tuition. The school states that the Diário Oficial exchange rate is used on the date a charge is made.
Academics

The American School Foundation teaches American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP), IB (PYP), IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
The American School Foundation offers a United States high school diploma. All students complete course units in English, a language other than English, humanities, lab science, math, arts and design, coding, health, physical education and electives to graduate. The school provides several pathways to enhance study: the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), Advanced Placement (AP) courses, and the Mexican Program. The IB Diploma Programme is a two-year program; the IB Primary Years Programme serves Grades 1–5, and the DP serves Grades 11–12. The Mexican Program offers SEP validation of coursework for entry into Mexican universities and UNAM certification for Grades 10–12 (with a UNAM registration fee). Services for Academic Inclusion (SAI) provide inclusive education and tailored support.

Higher Education Progression
ASF offers extensive university guidance and support through its College Counseling program. The team provides personalized advising, academic planning and help with the university application process. The school hosts the Largest University Fair in Mexico, with representatives from over 120 national and international universities. The program emphasizes preparation for success at leading universities around the world, with pathways including the U.S. high school diploma, IB, AP and the Mexican program.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The Early Childhood Center is an English-immersion program designed to develop the social skills needed for group play, help children navigate the classroom, and begin independent problem solving. Students practice social skills through direct teaching, play-based engagements, and continuous assessment. They learn about emotions and express their feelings, and they are encouraged to be caring and empathetic through community service and sustainability activities.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Services for Academic Inclusion (SAI) provides tailored academic support to students with diverse learning needs to ensure equitable access to the curriculum. SAI serves students who benefit from specialized instruction and accommodations, including specific learning disabilities (dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia), other health impairments such as attention-related needs (ADHD), autism, and speech or language impairments. The School may place students in special education programs and offer related support to promote full development.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The Early Childhood Center is an English-immersion program, and ASF maintains a balance between English-language and Spanish-language education and culture across the ASF community.

Mental Wellbeing
ASF provides psychological and psycho-pedagogical evaluations as part of student development, and where needed offers psychological, psycho-pedagogical, and contingency support to promote students' wellbeing and development.

Safeguarding
ASF has a Child Protection policy; employees and volunteers sign a Child Protection Code of Conduct, and any ASF counselor is prepared to receive concerns about suspected abuse, including anonymous reports.
Parent Experience

History
Founded in 1888 in Mexico City. It began as a kindergarten with nine students and one teacher. Today the school serves Pre-K through 12 with about 2,500 students and 220 full-time teachers. The ASF community has educated thousands of students over more than 135 years. The school is the oldest continuously operating accredited American School outside the United States.

Community
The ASF Bear Boosters Club is a volunteer organization made up of parents, teachers and alumni that builds community and develops school spirit, supporting junior varsity and varsity athletes and teams. ASF Stories and News share voices from the ASF community. Diversity and Inclusion highlight ASF's commitment to welcoming students and families from many nationalities, religions, cultures and pursuits. ASF events celebrate the community through activities such as the Golf Tournament, Holiday Bazaar, and Art Fair, as well as Book Fairs and Toy Drives.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The Parent Association promotes the welfare of students and the integration of the ASF community through hospitality, fundraising, and by seeking to improve communication within the ASF community. It represents the philosophy of ASF balancing English-language and Spanish-language education and culture. Throughout the year the PA organizes cultural events to give parents opportunities to connect and attend exhibitions and special events in Mexico City. Key events include Art Fair, English Book Fair, Spanish Book Fair, and the Used Book Fair, with Earth Week activities and a community-funded Used Book Fair. The PA coordinates cultural trips and serves as an intermediary between the school and parents to foster involvement in the student experience. The Executive Board oversees PA activities and includes positions such as President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Parliamentarian.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
ASF operates on a Mexico City campus that houses the Early Childhood Center, Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School. On-campus athletic facilities include a weight room and cardiovascular room, a swimming pool with locker rooms, a track, and tennis courts by appointment. The ASF Green Roof sits atop the Angels Espinosa Yglesias Fine Arts Center (FAC) and the Jenkins Wellness Center (WEC), expanding outdoor space for learning and reflection. The school offers more than 30 organized activities to support athletics, arts, and enrichment beyond classroom time. The campus supports a broad program across all four school levels.

Sports Facilities
Weight Room and Cardiovascular Room are available with limited hours for community members and staff: Monday to Thursday from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The Swimming Pool and Pool Locker Rooms operate with lane restrictions during swim team practices: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. (two lanes during practice) and Friday 2:45 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (two lanes); Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (two lanes). The Track is open Monday to Friday 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. and is closed during school or community events. Tennis Courts are by appointment only.

Academic Facilities
The Early Childhood Center (ECC) is an English-immersion program that follows the IB Primary Years Programme. ECC emphasizes meaningful, integrated lessons in math and literacy and includes music, art, physical education and hands-on science, with a kitchen program rounding out the curriculum. Field trips and community service experiences are part of the ECC experience, supporting social, emotional and civic development. The ASF journey covers ECC (K1–K3), Lower School (Grade 1–5), Middle School (Grade 6–8) and Upper School (Grade 9–12).

Extra Curricular Facilities
Extended Learning offers over 25 enriching activities beyond the standard classroom. Activities span four categories: Alternative Sports (Karate, Playball, Taekwondo, Yo-yo); Arts (Art, Ballet, Jazz, Violin, Ceramics, Drawing, Musical Theater, Piano); Brain Activities (Chess, Magic, Mindfulness, Coding); and Languages (French Beginners, French Intermediate). Classes typically run after school on Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday from 2:55 p.m. to 4:10 p.m., with some schedule variations. For questions, contact the Extended Learning Coordinator.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The American School Foundation offers the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) from the Early Childhood Center through Lower School. The school uses a bilingual language model with English and Spanish in all grades. The Language Learning Center provides ESL and Spanish as a Second Language support, and Basic Academic Skills in English (BASE) is offered to qualifying Lower School students. In Grades 1–5, two periods of instruction in Spanish cover Spanish Language Arts and Mexican Social Studies, while English Language Arts follows the IB/PYP philosophy and the Common Core Standards, developing literacy across the curriculum.

Arts & Creative
Extended Learning provides Arts options including Art, Ballet, Jazz, Violin, Ceramics, Drawing, Musical Theater, and Piano. These activities are part of the Extended Learning program, offering enrichment beyond the standard classroom experience. The arts offerings support students' creative development and performance skills.

Cultural & Language
French is offered at Beginner and Intermediate levels through Extended Learning. The Lower School maintains a dual-language program with English and Spanish in all grades, and the Language Learning Center supports ESL and SSL to help students develop bilingual proficiency.

Social & Hobbies
Extended Learning features over 25 enrichment activities beyond regular classes, including non-competitive athletics, arts, and brain activities such as Chess, Mindfulness, and Coding. Language offerings and after-school options expand students' interests and social connections. Activities run on scheduled days and times as part of the after-school program.

Community & Service
Model United Nations at ASF offers an international conference experience and emphasizes service-learning through the Conscience Programme. The Parent Association organizes cultural events such as Art Fair and English/Spanish Book Fairs, as well as cultural trips, promoting community involvement and family participation.

Leadership & Professional
Model United Nations at ASF provides leadership development through debate, diplomacy, and teamwork on international topics. Roadmaps for Success outlines standards and performance expectations for Math, Science, English Language & Literature, and Spanish Language & Literature to prepare students for future studies.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Extended Learning includes over 25 activities, including non-competitive athletics and mindfulness practices, contributing to student wellbeing. The athletics program includes multiple levels (Lower School, Middle School, Varsity, and Junior Varsity) and league participation under ASOMEX, supporting physical education and team engagement.
Languages

Language Provision
The school teaches English and Spanish across all grades. In Lower School, students in grades 1–5 have two periods of Spanish instruction and access to English-language arts; the Language Learning Center provides ESL and SSL support. The school offers Spanish Immersion and SSL to develop bilingual proficiency and to prepare students for the Mexican Spanish Program.

Bilingual Teaching
ASF uses a dual language program of instruction in English and Spanish across all grades. In the Lower School (grades 1–5) two periods of instruction are in Spanish, including Spanish Language Arts and Mexican Social Studies. The Language Arts program follows the IB/PYP philosophy and the CCSS for English Language Arts, with language as the main connecting element across units. The IB Primary Years Programme begins in the ECC and continues into the Lower School, supporting bilingual, internationally-minded learning.

Immersion Programs
Spanish Immersion is offered as part of the Language Learning Center, alongside Spanish as a Second Language (SSL). The goal of these programs is to prepare students to join the Mexican Spanish Program, and students are placed into regular Spanish classes once language standards are met. SSL is also provided to support Spanish language development and ESL support is available through the LLC.
Reputation

Awards
null

Accreditations
Cognia and the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) accreditation; through this, students receive a U.S. high school diploma.
Admissions

Admissions
The school invites applications from students and families who share its mission. Applicants should have demonstrated good character, conduct and academic performance. The school welcomes children of all racial, ethnic, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds to apply. Financial aid is available to those who qualify. The Admission Office and the Financial Aid Office can be contacted for information.

Scholarships
The school offers financial aid to students from kindergarten through grade 12. Financial aid includes discounts and scholarships awarded by the Financial Aid Committee based on demonstrated financial need. The Financial Aid Application Process for the 2026–2027 school year opens on October 27, 2025 and ends January 30, 2026; new admissions must complete by December 16, 2025. A nonrefundable Socioeconomic Study fee of 1,210 pesos is charged. Families complete an online financial aid application after paying the fee; a one‑on‑one home interview is conducted by Riskana (Estudios Financieros) as part of the socioeconomic study. The Financial Aid Committee makes decisions based on the completed application, and for new admissions the decision is informed upon acceptance; for other applicants, decisions are communicated by June 1, 2026. A Supplementary Financial Aid Program is also available.
School Events
The school has not added events
Search for more schools
Search schools in Mexico View all schools in Mexico City View all schools in Mexico IB curriculum schools in Mexico Open days & tours in Mexico City What is the IB curriculum? View all schools Search all schools