ACS Hillingdon is the northwest London campus of the ACS group and a well established American option within the international schools in London market. Opened in 1978 and housed around a striking Victorian mansion, Hillingdon Court, it is the only one of the three ACS campuses that is day only, with no boarding. It teaches an American education from the early years to Grade 12, with a choice of the IB Diploma or Advanced Placement at sixth form.
ACS Hillingdon 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 Court, Hillingdon, northwest London near Uxbridge |
Curriculum and academics
ACS Hillingdon delivers the same American framework as its sister campuses, leading to a US High School Diploma. In Grades 11 and 12 students choose between the IB Diploma Programme and Advanced Placement courses, giving families both the points based route favoured by universities outside North America and the AP and grade point average route into US colleges. The lower school follows an inquiry led American programme, and English language support runs throughout for students still developing academic English.
Being a smaller, day only school gives Hillingdon a more contained feel than the larger Cobham campus, which some families prefer. The American curriculum core, the continuity of an ACS education across all three London area campuses, and the sixth form choice between IB and AP are the main academic draws. University counselling guides leavers through the differing application systems of the United States, the United Kingdom and beyond.
Budget the full cost of a place at ACS Hillingdon
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ACS Hillingdon fees
ACS Hillingdon fees sit in the premium tier of the London international school fees landscape, comparable to the capital's leading day schools, where headline tuition now runs from the low thirties into the forties of thousands of pounds a year after the January 2025 VAT change. Each ACS campus publishes its own schedule by year group, so use Hillingdon's current figures rather than assuming they match Cobham exactly.
Beyond tuition, the ACS group applies a non returnable application fee, a refundable enrolment deposit to reserve a place, and a one off campus development charge in the first year. As a day school, transport is a key extra and is priced by zone for shuttle or door to door routes. External examination fees apply in the final two years, around the cost of the full IB Diploma or per AP paper. Use our fee calculator to combine tuition, the one off charges and bus into a single annual figure, and confirm current amounts with admissions.
Admissions
ACS Hillingdon runs rolling admissions, accepting and assessing applications throughout the year rather than to one deadline, with the main intake at the August start of the school year. After the application fee, the school reviews prior reports, may seek references and assesses the child for year group placement and any English support needs. Mid year entry is common because the families it serves move frequently.
Sixth form applicants confirm whether they will follow the IB Diploma or AP during admissions. Overseas families needing a child or student visa should allow time for the documentation the school issues once a place is confirmed and fees are arranged.
Location and who goes there
The school is based at Hillingdon Court in the London Borough of Hillingdon, on the northwestern edge of Greater London near Uxbridge and a short drive from Heathrow. That position makes it a natural choice for families working at the airport, in the corporate offices of west London and along the M4 and M40 corridors. The Metropolitan and Piccadilly lines and good road links put much of northwest London and the nearer Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire commuter towns within reach.
The community is led by American families, with British, European and Asian students and the broad national mix typical of an ACS school. Proximity to Heathrow means a steady flow of arrivals and departures tied to corporate postings. For how this northwestern catchment sits against the rest of the capital, see the London city hub.
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Frequently asked questions
How much are ACS Hillingdon fees?
ACS Hillingdon 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. The school publishes its own schedule by year group, plus a non returnable application fee, a refundable deposit and a one off development charge.
Does ACS Hillingdon offer the IB Diploma?
Yes. In Grades 11 and 12 students choose between the IB Diploma Programme and Advanced Placement courses, both taken alongside the US High School Diploma.
Is ACS Hillingdon a boarding school?
No. ACS Hillingdon is the only one of the three ACS campuses that is day only, with no boarding. ACS Cobham offers boarding for older students.
When do ACS Hillingdon applications open?
Applications are accepted year round under rolling admissions, with the principal intake at the August start of the academic year and mid year entry common.
Where is ACS Hillingdon?
It is at Hillingdon Court in the London Borough of Hillingdon, on the northwestern edge of Greater London near Uxbridge and close to Heathrow.
