American International School Chennai

100 Feet Road, Taramani, Chennai 600113, India. The campus sits on a 13-acre site in the Taramani area of Chennai and includes outdoor spaces for learning. The campus is home to over 80 teaching spaces for students aged 3–18 and is served by an on-site bus program with scheduled routes. In 2021–2022, 27 students used AISC buses.

The school serves students aged 3–18, organized into Early Years (including KG), Elementary (K–5), Middle School (6–8), and High School (9–12).

International school

Students represent about 26 nationalities.

English as an Additional Language (EAL) programs including World Language English (WLE) for Grades 3–5 and English for Academic Purposes (EAP) for Grades 6–10; ELL support integrated with homeroom and content teachers.

American Embassy School in India (affiliation established under bilateral US–India framework)

The regular school day starts at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; on Wednesdays, dismissal is at 2:30 p.m.

AISC offers a bus service with door-to-door pickup on scheduled routes; cost is USD 1,250 per child for the full year (two trips per day). Service covers many neighbourhoods in south Chennai, though some areas may not be served due to geography. 27 students used the bus service in 2021–2022.

The school has a North American standards-based curriculum for EY3-G12, including Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs for Grades 11-12. English is the language of instruction. Elementary curriculum covers literacy, mathematics, social studies, and science; from Grade 3, Spanish; English as an Additional Language; Learning Support. High School offers IB Diploma and AP programs with graduation requirements and typical college entrance prerequisites. Grades 3-12 BYOT is in place. ES Curriculum Guide 2024-25 and ES Learning Framework and Course Guide 2025-2026.

1:6; 82% of faculty hold advanced degrees.

High School graduation leads to college or university study. Class of 2020 matriculated to universities worldwide, including Yale University, University of California Berkeley, University of Edinburgh, and University of British Columbia, among others.

Advanced learning options include AP and IB programs; Capstone; GOA; Pamoja; and Personalized Learning for high-achieving students.

The school has a Wellbeing Framework that centers wellbeing at the heart of the community. Wellbeing is defined as feeling good and functioning well, with small acts that promote wellbeing rippling across the community. The framework uses a kolam motif with four domains: Healthy Habits, Positive Relationships, Self Awareness, and Self Management. Healthy Habits cover nutrition, fitness, sleep, hygiene, mindfulness practices, and gratitude. Positive Relationships focus on collaboration, cultural appreciation, respect, and compassion. Self Awareness covers identity, values, and purpose, while Self Management emphasizes resilience and emotional regulation.

The school has Learning Support teachers and Counselors who support students who have special cognitive and emotional needs.

The school runs an English as an Additional Language (EAL) program that supports English language development with developmentally appropriate resources. Before enrolling, students whose home language is not English take the WIDA MODEL assessment for initial placement and language support planning. The EAL program partners with homeroom and content teachers to provide a rich academic language environment for English Language Learners. Language development is monitored annually with data points including WIDA MODEL results, classroom observations, and formative and summative assessments. For students with beginning-to-lower intermediate proficiency, World Language English (WLE) and English for Academic Purposes (EAP) are offered for Grades 3–5 and Grades 6–10 respectively. The program focuses on vocabulary and language structures needed for success across content areas and supports maintaining home language where possible.

The school supports mental wellbeing through the Wellbeing Framework's four domains: Healthy Habits, Positive Relationships, Self Awareness, and Self Management. Healthy Habits include mindful practices, nutrition, fitness, sleep, hygiene, gratitude, and social connection. Positive Relationships foster collaboration, respect, cultural appreciation, and compassion. Self Awareness helps students understand identity, values, and purpose, while Self Management emphasizes resilience and emotional regulation. The wellbeing programming is designed to be learned, practiced, taught, and embedded across systems, processes, and daily life.

The school provides safeguarding resources for the community, including a Community Safeguarding Handbook.

1. Submit online application via OpenApply. The application is non-refundable and costs USD 400. Prepare and upload documents including passport copies for both parents and the student, a recent photo of the student and parents, and past three years of school reports (in English). A teacher or counselor recommendation letter is requested for most grades, high school transcripts are required for high school applicants, and additional forms such as Health Form, Physical Examination Form, Vaccination Records, employment letter, and a copy of the student's Indian visa are part of the checklist. 2. The Admissions Director and Head of School determine eligibility by confirming the student can meet academic standards, has shown acceptable behavior, the school can meet any special needs, and the student will embrace the school's mission. 3. The school applies a priority system to seat allocation. Seats are released for Space as it becomes available to eligible students in the order by completed date within the listed priority categories. If a sibling requires EAL services and capacity is at issue, the seat is offered to the next eligible applicant, and the sibling remains in a wait pool until both a grade seat and an EAL seat are available. 4. AISC operates rolling admissions and accepts students continuously until the first week of May; an August start typically begins with enrollment in January–February. English is the language of instruction, and English language proficiency is assessed as part of the admission process (EAL support is available as needed). After admission, families must submit health forms and vaccination records and, where applicable, provide a copy of the student's Indian visa.

Waitlist: AISC uses a priority-based system with a wait pool. Seats are offered to eligible applicants in the order determined by priority category and completed date of application, and siblings may remain in the wait pool until both a grade seat and an appropriate EAL seat are available. If a sibling requires EAL and EAL capacity is at capacity, the seat will be offered to the next eligible applicant, and the sibling remains in the wait pool until the needed seats are available.