The American School of Asuncion (ASA) is a private, English-medium, nonprofit day school offering a U.S. curriculum from prekindergarten to grade 12 for an international student body (30+ nationalities). It also offers a Paraguayan Ministry of Education Diploma (MEC). The school was founded in 1953. The ASA school year consists of 180 days of classes separated into 2 semesters extending from August to mid-December and from mid-February to late June.
Governance: The ASA Director General is the Chief Executive Officer and reports to a 9-member Board of Directors. These members are voting members who are elected at an annual general assembly by the parents of ASA students. Non-voting board members also include a U.S. Ambassador’s representative and 2 trustees. ASA operates as a legal entity recognized under Paraguayan law.
Curriculum: ASA offers a college-preparatory, standards-based curriculum. Instruction and the curriculum emphasize critical thinking, problem solving, and bilingualism. All students in grades 1-12 are required to study Spanish. Students can graduate with both a U.S. high school diploma and Paraguayan studies diploma. Class size typically ranges from 18-22 students. ASA’s standardized testing program consists of admission testing for all incoming students and the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) test for grades 3-11. The PSAT is given to all grade 10 students as a part of the ASA Standardized Testing Program. The school is a test center for the Preliminary SAT (PSAT), SAT I and II, and Advanced Placement exams. The school is accredited in the U.S. by COGNIA. The school balances excellence in academics, athletics, the arts, and activities. Academic excellence is emphasized. ASA also has a long history of success in sports such as soccer, basketball, and volleyball. Students are accepted at the top universities in the U.S. and Paraguay, and 100% attend a university or college following graduation. The school offers academic support program in grades K-12.
Faculty: In the 2022-2023 school year, ASA has 209 total staff including 93 teachers, 37 of whom are U.S. citizens, 46 host-country nationals, and 10 third-country nationals from Argentina, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Brazil, and China. All teaching faculty maintain a teaching certificate/credential e.g., Diploma of Teaching/registered Teacher’s certificate from their countries of origin.
Enrollment: At the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year, enrollment was 815 students (417 in the elementary school, 176 in the middle school, and 222 in the high school). Of this total, 150 are U.S. citizens, 534 are host-country nationals, and 131 are third-country nationals.
Facilities: The school is located on an attractive 12-acre site in a safe residential suburb. The campus consists of separate elementary, middle and high schools, a full-size soccer field; a cultural and sports complex that includes a theater, weight room and music rooms; several outdoor athletic areas; two fully equipped computer labs for secondary and elementary schools; and other campus enhancements which include an outdoor elementary covered basketball court, an elementary playground, and centrally monitored fire and security systems (there is Wi-Fi throughout the campus and Smartboards are in every classroom). All classrooms are air-conditioned with all the amenities, multiple. There is a language and learning support center, a 250-seat cafeteria that offers hot nutritious lunches and snacks. There is also a full STEAM building, which includes well-equipped art rooms, science labs, multipurpose rooms, ample storage and areas for students to gather.
Finances: In the 2022-2023 school year, about 97% of the school’s income is derived from tuition. Annual tuition rates are as follows: PK: $5214 K5-Gr.12 $8,060 payable in U.S. dollars and local currency. The school also charges an annual registration of fee of $700 per student and a one-time entrance fee as follows: K4 & K5: $7.250; grades 1-5: $7,500; grades 6-8: $8,500; and grades 9-12: $9,500 per student. (All fees quoted in U.S. dollars.)
Special Needs: Download the Special Needs Profile (2023 Special Needs- Paraguay, Asuncion) for this school to learn more about their capability to support students with exceptionalities.
This Fact Sheet is intended to provide general information. Prospective users of the schools may wish to inquire further of A/OPR/OS or contact the school directly for more specific and up-to-the-minute information. Information and statistics are current as of September 2022 and provided by the school.