For families settling in Milan, finding the right school is about joining a community where children feel seen, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential.
The American School of Milan (ASM), an IB World School accredited by the Middle States Association, offers an English-speaking education to students from over 70 nationalities, built on the values of Respect, Curiosity, Courage, Integrity, and Kindness.
In this article, Denise Buren, ASM’s Admissions & Advancement Director, shares how the school’s caring, international community nurtures both academic excellence and personal growth, helping students thrive in a global world.
What families are looking for in an American International School
It is always a pleasure to meet prospective families and to hear their unique stories and experiences of living abroad. Whether they are coming from the expat community or returning to Milan after many years, I enjoy meeting their children and reflecting on how ASM can contribute to shaping their educational journeys and futures.
Parents place great care in choosing the right school, seeking an environment where academic excellence and personal growth go hand in hand. They want their children to not only excel academically, but also to reach their full potential across a wide range of areas and within a caring environment where their children can embrace learning and growth as they prepare for a changing world.
They know that the future will require that their children not only be knowledgeable, but also that they will be adaptable and be able to navigate technological complexities, while continuing to refine their uniquely human skills. Families understand that this requires a balanced and global education, which nurtures both intellect and character. At ASM, our ‘ethos’ is reflected in these beliefs and within our international community, offering a top-tier education to provide young people with the passport of the future.
When parents ask me what sets ASM apart from other schools, I highlight two key aspects. First, as a non-profit institution, our focus remains squarely on education and not business. This distinction allows us to recruit highly qualified teachers who are committed to continuous professional development and who can inspire our students to be curious learners and critical thinkers across disciplines. Our teachers are the most important investment we can make for our students!
The second key difference is ASM’s international population which reflects our belief about the importance of maintaining a high number of international families. I always encourage parents to ask schools about the degree to which their student body is diverse, and whether it reflects the global population that parents are seeking. At ASM, 65% of our students come from international backgrounds, and our diversity is central to our mission and in order to prepare our students to thrive in an interconnected world.
When families choose ASM, they are choosing an international environment where their children can flourish both academically and personally. We take great pride in our vibrant community of students, families, and educators, working together to ensure the success and well-being of every child. At ASM, families choose us based on these distinguishing characteristics, and we in turn also choose families who see the value and impact of what we can offer.
One of the most rewarding aspects of my work is seeing students thrive at ASM where they can assimilate to our environment, eager to learn, and able to pursue their passions. When choosing ASM, nothing could be more important than knowing that their child will not only reach their full academic potential, but that they will find themselves in a community that cares and supports them to develop their fullest potential, and in all areas of their lives.
What distinguishes the American School of Milan?
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A balanced education that combines academic excellence with character development
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A caring, international community that supports adaptation and belonging
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Opportunities for growth through arts, sports, innovation, and global awareness
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Teachers who inspire lifelong learning
What defines a quality education in an international school setting?
An authentic international school experience that prepares students for the future is defined by its mission, values and by the quality of its teachers and educational programs. At ASM we are committed to academic excellence and to ensure that students not only reach their fullest academic potential, but also to develop the skills and mindsets that students will need to thrive in an ever-changing world. At ASM we believe that a balanced education should reflect a high level of academic excellence, as well as opportunities to grow through the arts, sports, technology, and innovation. Our extensive 9 acre (36,000 sq meter) campus provides the ideal environment for students to develop their potential from early years and through the graduation, culminating in the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme.
What Sets ASM Apart?
As a non-profit organisation with over 60 years of dedication to education, ASM has established itself as a leader among International/American schools catering to expat families with a ‘global mindset’. Families seek an environment with a highly diverse student population and in order to embrace a global mindset that will be necessary for the future.
Why is our mission and our values essential when choosing ASM?
At ASM we are driven by our mission to inspire students to discover their full potential, and to become global citizens, while fostering a love of lifelong learning and guided by our core values of Respect, Curiosity, Courage, Kindness, and Integrity. We believe that equally important to academic excellence, is the development of character traits and a mindset for learning and growth.
What is different about a Non-Profit school organisation?
ASM is a non-profit organisation which ensures that all tuition goes towards your child’s education. Our teachers are our greatest investment and make the greatest impact on a child’s education. Additional teachers make for smaller class sizes and additional counsellors, college counsellors and support teachers lead to greater quality and care for its students. In addition to this, its facilities are unmatched and it provides exceptional opportunities for its students.
What is a ‘truly’ international school?
ASM is the most international school in Milan and the data speaks for itself! With 65% international students and representing 78 nationalities, we embrace and protect our identity which fosters an environment that allows for a greater global perspective and we are guided by principles of inclusion and belonging.
What is the language of inclusion at ASM?
Many of our students are multilingual learners and most of them speak more than one language. English is our language of instruction and our ‘language of belonging’. We recognise the value of all languages and offer French, Spanish and Italian at various levels as well as celebrate host languages and cultures as a part of our international community.
How does ASM measure academic excellence?
ASM is highly competitive when compared to other International/American Schools. We regularly benchmark our performance against top American and international schools using standardised adaptive tests (MAP). As an example, in 2023-2024, ASM outperformed all peer schools (European Council International Schools) in math, reading, and language usage and is a testament to our focus on both achievement and growth.
Our curricular programs are reviewed every three years which ensures that international benchmarks are met that programs reflect an international curriculum that is combined with an American ‘ethos’. We offer both the American School of Milan Diploma and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, including the IB Bilingual Diploma. Our graduates hold “passport diplomas” recognised by universities worldwide and each year we publish above average results and consistently surpass the global average. We are proud to say that our IB average in 2023-2024 was a 35 and highlight that we encourage all of our 10th graders to take the IB (and not just those with the highest GPA’s).
Which Universities do ASM students attend?
You can review Profile of a Graduate Students can reach their full potential at ASM, whether it be a 45 on their final IB exams and also fulfil their passions and interests, through classes and opportunities such as Model United Nations, Varsity Sports, extracurricular school activities, the Arts and/or STEM. At ASM all of our students are encouraged to reach their full potential within an inclusive environment that values growth and a sense of belonging.
A Foundation for Lifelong Learning
Our journey begins in Elementary School, where a love of learning is nurtured through a caring environment alongside a quality curriculum that lays the foundation for reading, writing and math. We use a research-based curriculum and consistently review and refine curricula to prepare our students for the changing world.
This fall, ASM was recognised by AAIE (Association for the Advancement of International Education) for its innovative Humanities curriculum, integrating rich historical content with a DEI perspective. This is just one example of how ASM continues to be an educational leader in the forefront of innovative education.
How does a campus facility impact students and learning?
Our 36,000-square-meter (9-acre) campus is a green oasis that offers the perfect balance of natural beauty and modern amenities. ASM provides a true campus experience, with a large soccer field, tennis courts, a basketball court, 2 playgrounds and a 500-seat auditorium. Recently ASM inaugurated the Learning Forest, an outdoor classroom and sustainability project located on our grounds and in partnership with a local biotech company. This innovative space fosters hands-on learning and environmental stewardship, reflecting our commitment to sustainability and experiential education.
The ASM Difference
Choosing ASM means joining a vibrant, inclusive, and innovative community that prioritises academic rigour, personal growth, and global citizenship. Our graduates aren’t just prepared for top universities; they are prepared to navigate the future and to become global citizens who will make an impact on future generations.
Experience the ASM difference – schedule a visit today and see why we are Milan’s most sought-after international school.
Find out more about the American School of Milan and their admissions process on the school’s website.
Read more articles from leading international schools on the MumAbroad blog.
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