Poland, Warsaw: American School of Warsaw

The American School of Warsaw is an independent, coeducational day school which offers an educational program from pre-kindergarten through grade 12 for students of all nationalities. The School was founded in 1953. The school year for elementary and middle school grades comprises 3 trimesters, extending from August 26 to November 21, from November 24 to March 9, and from March 10 to June 9. The high school year comprises 4 quarters extending from August 26 to October 29, from October 30 to January 20, from January 21 to March 30 and from March 31 to June 9.

Organization: A 9-member Board of Directors governs the School, 7 of whom are elected for 2-year terms by an Association comprised of the parent community and the sponsors of the School. The chair and vice chair are appointed by the U.S. Ambassador. Membership in the Association is automatically conferred on the parents or guardians of children enrolled in the School. The school is not incorporated and is not tax-exempt.

Curriculum: The curriculum is college preparatory and is embedded in the U.S. ideals of democratic values, analytical thinking and respect and appreciation for others. Children are grouped according to age, and the teaching format stresses individualization with class sizes averaging below 20. Instruction is in English, and English-as-a-Second-Language is also offered. French is taught as a foreign language from grade 3, Polish Culture and Language from grade 1. German, French and Polish are offered in Middle School. Dutch, Polish and Swedish instruction is also offered to native speakers. There is no religious instruction. The School is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and the European Council of International School (ECIS). The school is also a member of the International Baccalaureate Organization (IB), the National Association of College Admissions Counselors (NACAC), the European of Middle Level Education (ELMLE), the National Middle School Association (NMSA), the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the Central and Eastern European Schools Association (CEESA).

Faculty: In the 2003-2004 school year, there are 81 full-time and 19 part-time faculty members.

Finances: In the 2003-2004 school year, about 95 percent of the School's income derives from regular day school tuition. Annual tuition rates are as follows: PK: $8,008; Kdg.: $10,920; grades 1-5: $11,352; grades 6-8: $13,460; and grades 9-12: $14,668. The School also charges a $750 application fee and a $2,750 capital levy fee for new students, and $2,250 capital levy fee for returning students. These fees are payable in U.S. dollars. (All fees are quoted in U.S. dollars.)