ACS Hillingdon International School is the day only member of the ACS group and a long standing presence among the international schools in London. Opened in 1978 and built around the Victorian Hillingdon Court, it gathers students from many nationalities into an American framework that runs from the early years to Grade 12. Its position on the western edge of the capital, close to Heathrow, makes it a practical base for internationally mobile families.
ACS Hillingdon International School at a glance
| Curriculum and exam boards | US High School Diploma, IB Diploma Programme, Advanced Placement (College Board) |
|---|---|
| Stages | Early years to Grade 12 (roughly age 4 to 18) |
| Founded | 1978 |
| Accreditation | NEASC accredited; authorised IB World School; member of CIS and ECIS |
| Boarding | None, day school only |
| Fee band | Premium, in line with London top day schools |
| Campus area | Hillingdon, northwest London, near Uxbridge and Heathrow |
Curriculum and academics
As an international school, ACS Hillingdon is structured for families who move between countries. The American programme leads to a US High School Diploma, and at sixth form students take either the IB Diploma Programme or Advanced Placement, letting each family match the qualification to where their child is likely to go to university. Structured English language support runs throughout, so a child arriving with limited English can still join the right year group.
The school's scale, smaller than ACS Cobham and entirely day based, gives it a settled, community feel that many families value. Belonging to the wider ACS group means a child can in principle move between the London area campuses with curriculum continuity, and the sixth form choice between IB and AP keeps both the international and the US college routes open. Dedicated university counselling supports the very different application timelines of the American, British and continental systems.
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ACS Hillingdon International School fees
ACS Hillingdon International School fees sit in the premium band of the London school fees market, comparable to the capital's leading day schools, where tuition now runs from the low thirties into the forties of thousands of pounds a year following the January 2025 VAT change on private school fees. The school sets and publishes its own schedule by year group, which is the reliable figure to plan around.
Budget for the ACS group extras on top of tuition: a non returnable application fee, a refundable enrolment deposit to hold a place, and a one off campus development charge in the first year. As a day school, transport is an important cost and is priced by zone. External examination fees apply in the final two years of the IB Diploma or per AP paper. If you are weighing several options, our school finder can shortlist day schools that match your child's stage and your budget. Always confirm the current figures with admissions before committing.
Admissions
Admissions are rolling, so the school accepts and assesses applications across the year rather than against a single deadline, with the main intake at the August start of term. The process begins with an enquiry and application fee, followed by a review of school records and an assessment for year group placement and English language needs. Because the families it serves relocate often, mid year joining is routine.
Sixth form candidates indicate whether they intend to follow the IB Diploma or AP during admissions. Families relocating from overseas should allow time for visa documentation, which the school issues once a place is secured and fee arrangements are agreed.
Location and who goes there
The campus occupies Hillingdon Court in the London Borough of Hillingdon, on the northwestern fringe of Greater London close to Uxbridge and within easy reach of Heathrow. That makes it a logical choice for families working at the airport, across west London business parks and along the M4 and M40. The Metropolitan and Piccadilly lines and strong road links bring much of northwest London and the nearer home counties commuter towns into range.
The student body is genuinely international, led by American families and including British, European and Asian students. The closeness to Heathrow brings a continual rhythm of corporate arrivals and departures. To understand how this western catchment compares with central and other parts of the capital, the London city hub maps where each community tends to settle.
Reviews
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Frequently asked questions
How much are ACS Hillingdon International School fees?
The school sits in London’s premium fee band, broadly in line with the city’s top day schools where tuition now runs from the low thirties into the forties of thousands of pounds a year. It publishes its own schedule by year group, plus an application fee, a refundable deposit and a one off development charge.
What curriculum does ACS Hillingdon International School follow?
It teaches a US High School Diploma throughout, with a choice of the IB Diploma Programme or Advanced Placement in Grades 11 and 12 and an inquiry based American programme in the lower years.
Is ACS Hillingdon International School a good school?
It is a fully accredited IB World School and the day only campus of the established ACS group. We do not give a star rating without verified parent reviews, so we describe its programme and accreditation instead.
Does ACS Hillingdon International School have boarding?
No. It is a day school only. Within the ACS group, boarding is available at the Cobham campus for older students.
When do ACS Hillingdon International School applications open?
Applications are accepted year round under rolling admissions, with the main intake at the August start of the academic year and mid year entry common.
