How many American schools in Mexico City
Mexico City has around 14 schools running a substantive American curriculum pathway in 2026, including 9 schools that take pupils through to a US High School Diploma plus Advanced Placement. The cluster is one of the oldest and largest American school networks outside the United States. The American School Foundation, founded in 1888, is the anchor institution and remains the largest American international school in Latin America by enrolment. Around 6 of the 14 American schools also offer the IB Diploma alongside the US Diploma, allowing families to choose the upper school pathway that best matches their preferred university destinations.
The American School Foundation alone enrols around 2,500 pupils from kindergarten through Grade 12 across a single 19 acre campus in Bosques de las Lomas. Westhill Institute, in the same neighbourhood, runs the second largest American cohort with around 1,900 pupils. Beyond the two flagships, the American provision splits between large Mexican-American bilingual institutions like Modern American School and Colegio Americano del Noroeste, and smaller specialist schools serving specific neighbourhoods. American expatriate families form roughly 25 per cent of the American school cohort in the city; the remainder is largely Mexican families targeting US university admissions.
US accreditation and AP provision
The 9 schools delivering the full US High School Diploma pathway hold accreditation from one of three US regional bodies: Cognia, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, or the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The American School Foundation and Westhill Institute are both Cognia accredited and follow a US graduation requirements model with electives, athletics requirements and a sustained capstone project. Advanced Placement provision is wide. The American School Foundation runs around 26 AP subjects, the largest AP offering in Mexico, with average score outcomes consistently above 3.8 across the most popular subjects. Westhill Institute runs around 22 AP subjects with similar score outcomes.
The American School Foundation also runs the IB Diploma in parallel with the US High School Diploma plus AP stream, allowing Grade 11 pupils to choose their pathway in March of Grade 10. Around 130 IB Diploma graduates a year sit alongside roughly 320 US Diploma plus AP graduates. The split reflects the destination split, with the US Diploma stream feeding largely into US universities and the IB stream feeding a broader UK, European and Mexican university mix. Our English curriculum options guide walks through the American versus British versus IB decision in more detail.
Choosing an American school in Mexico City?
Take our 5 minute school finder quiz. We shortlist three Mexico City American schools matching your child's grade level, your AP and IB priorities, and your home area in the city.
Illustrative example schools
The five schools below are illustrative, not a ranking. Each is a US-accredited school with an established record of US university destinations.
The American School Foundation (ASF) in Bosques de las Lomas is the largest American international school in Latin America, founded in 1888. Cognia accredited, with a US High School Diploma plus 26 Advanced Placement subjects and a parallel IB Diploma stream. Annual graduating class of around 450 pupils. The strongest record of Ivy League and US tier 1 placement in Mexico.
Westhill Institute in Bosques de las Lomas is a Mexican-American school founded in 1972. Cognia accredited, with a US Diploma plus 22 AP subjects and an IB Diploma option. Bilingual Spanish-English instruction throughout. Around 380 high school graduates a year, with strong US university placement and a growing UK and Canadian destinations record.
Modern American School in Polanco is a smaller US-accredited school with around 800 pupils kindergarten through Grade 12. Cognia accredited and Mexican SEP recognised, with a focused AP offering of around 12 subjects in the upper school.
Colegio Americano del Noroeste in Lomas Verdes serves the northern catchment with a US-accredited curriculum and Spanish-English bilingual instruction. A useful option for families based in Satelite or the northern delegaciones who would otherwise face long commutes south.
Lancaster School in Vista Hermosa runs a US-accredited high school programme alongside its British curriculum primary. A smaller mid-market option below the ASF and Westhill fee tier.
Fees and the dollar to peso band
American curriculum school fees in Mexico City run MXN 320,000 to MXN 580,000 a year at the high school level, which converts to roughly US 15,000 to US 28,000 at the 2026 exchange rate. The American School Foundation sits at the top of the band, with high school tuition around MXN 560,000 plus enrolment, capital levy and AP exam fees. Westhill Institute runs roughly 10 per cent below ASF. Modern American School and Colegio Americano del Noroeste are positioned in the mid band at MXN 320,000 to MXN 420,000. The dollar tuition band is comparable to mid-market US private day schools and roughly 30 per cent of US elite boarding school fees, which is one reason American families repatriating to the US often see local Mexico City alternatives as good value.
Where American families live
American families in Mexico City overwhelmingly settle in the Bosques de las Lomas to Lomas de Chapultepec corridor, with the American School Foundation and Westhill Institute both within 10 minutes of most neighbourhood addresses. Bosques de las Lomas itself, with its single-family houses and gated streets, is the highest-density American expatriate neighbourhood in the city. Polanco hosts a secondary cluster of American families using Modern American School or commuting west to ASF and Westhill. Cuajimalpa and Santa Fe host families on the western edge of the city, with newer apartment stock and quick access to the Periferico. Our Mexico City neighbourhoods guide covers the security, altitude and lifestyle trade-offs in more depth.
Admissions and the US calendar mismatch
Mexico City American schools run August to June, which broadly aligns with the US school year and avoids the awkward six-month gap that British system schools face for Northern Hemisphere transfers. American School Foundation applications for the following August intake open in October and close for priority assessment by mid-December. Westhill Institute and Modern American School run a similar timetable. Mid-year transfers from the US into Grades 1 through 8 are usually possible at all three institutions, with assessment days running through January and April. High school transfers in Grades 9 and 10 are possible with strong recent transcripts, though Grades 11 and 12 transfers are difficult because the AP and IB Diploma course selections lock in early. The SEP requires authenticated and Spanish-translated previous school records (apostilled or super-legalised) for all transfer pupils.
Frequently asked questions
How many American schools are there in Mexico City?
Mexico City has around 14 schools running a substantive American curriculum pathway in 2026, including 9 schools that take pupils through to a US High School Diploma plus Advanced Placement. The American School Foundation, founded in 1888, is the anchor and largest American international school in Latin America.
Are American schools in Mexico City accredited in the US?
The 9 schools delivering the full US High School Diploma pathway hold accreditation from one of three US regional bodies: Cognia, WASC, or SACS. The American School Foundation and Westhill Institute are both Cognia accredited and follow a US graduation requirements model with electives, athletics requirements and a capstone project.
How much do American schools cost in Mexico City?
American curriculum school fees run MXN 320,000 to MXN 580,000 a year at the high school level, roughly US 15,000 to US 28,000. The American School Foundation sits at the top, Westhill roughly 10 per cent lower, with Modern American School and Colegio Americano del Noroeste in the mid band at MXN 320,000 to MXN 420,000.
What AP subjects do Mexico City American schools offer?
The American School Foundation runs around 26 AP subjects, the largest AP offering in Mexico, with average score outcomes consistently above 3.8 across the most popular subjects. Westhill Institute runs around 22 AP subjects. Modern American School offers a more focused selection of around 12 AP subjects in the upper school.
When should I apply to a Mexico City American school?
American School Foundation applications open in October and close for priority assessment by mid-December. Westhill Institute and Modern American School follow a similar timetable. Plan applications 9 to 12 months ahead of the target start date. Grades 11 and 12 transfers are difficult because the AP and IB Diploma course selections lock in early.
