The American Embassy School, usually shortened to AES, is one of the oldest and best known international schools in the capital and appears on our New Delhi city hub. It opened in 1952 after the United States Embassy asked for a school for the children of American staff, and it sits beside the embassy in the Chanakyapuri diplomatic enclave. Today it draws families from across the diplomatic, business and development communities rather than only American passport holders.
This is an independent reference page. GlobalSchoolGuide takes no payment for coverage, and the school is listed because relocating families genuinely weigh it, not because it paid to appear. We researched the facts below from the school and public sources at the time of writing and mark anything we could not confirm as not published.
At a glance
Curriculum and academics
The school follows an American general academic and college preparatory programme, using AERO Common Core Plus standards through the elementary and middle years with support from the United States Department of State Office of Overseas Schools. In the senior school it offers the IB Diploma Programme, which it has run since 1982, so students can graduate with both an American high school diploma and the IB Diploma.
The academic model is built around a broad American style curriculum with electives, advanced coursework and strong arts, sport and service provision. Families comparing this with the British and national options in the city should note that graduates most often move on to universities in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and increasingly India, and the counselling team is geared toward that international spread of destinations.
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American Embassy School fees
The American Embassy School sits in the premium band on our New Delhi international school fees guide, in line with the established international schools that serve the diplomatic community. The school publishes its own schedule to admitted families, and figures on third party aggregator sites vary and date quickly, so treat any quote you see elsewhere as indicative and confirm the current schedule directly with the admissions office.
Tuition is only part of the budget. A capital or one time enrolment charge may apply, and transport, meals, uniform where required, trips and activities add to the annual total. Families comparing the full cost across the city can use the New Delhi secondary fees reference alongside our compare tool.
Admissions
Admission runs on the American academic year, which begins in August, and priority has historically gone to United States government and diplomatic families, followed by other mission and corporate families, with remaining places open to the wider community. Entry depends on space in the relevant grade and on school reports and any assessments the admissions team requests.
Because demand is high and places at popular grades are limited, relocating families should contact the admissions office early, share recent school records and ask directly about availability rather than assume a place will open in a given year.
Location and who goes there
The campus sits in Chanakyapuri, the leafy diplomatic quarter of New Delhi, next to the United States Embassy and close to the missions, guest houses and residences that house much of the city international community. The location suits families posted to the diplomatic enclave and the surrounding central and south Delhi neighbourhoods.
The intake is strongly international, reflecting the embassies and multinational offices nearby, alongside globally mobile Indian families returning from abroad. For the wider picture of where international families settle across the capital, see the New Delhi city hub.
Reviews
We do not yet hold verified parent reviews for the American Embassy School, so we do not show a star rating. GlobalSchoolGuide is independent and no school pays to be listed, and we publish reviews only once we can confirm they come from real families. If your child attends or has attended AES, your first hand account of teaching, the IB Diploma experience and the admissions process would help the next diplomatic or corporate family arriving in Delhi. Share it through the school reviews hub.
Frequently asked questions
How much are American Embassy School fees?
The school sits in the premium band for New Delhi and publishes its schedule to admitted families. Aggregator figures vary and date quickly, so confirm the current fees directly with the admissions office.
What curriculum does the American Embassy School follow?
It teaches an American college preparatory curriculum from the early years and offers the IB Diploma Programme in the senior school, so students can leave with both an American diploma and the IB Diploma.
When was the American Embassy School founded?
It was founded in 1952 to serve United States diplomatic families and has offered the IB Diploma Programme since 1982.
Where is the American Embassy School located?
The campus is in the Chanakyapuri diplomatic enclave of New Delhi, next to the United States Embassy.
Is the American Embassy School only for American families?
No. Priority has gone to United States government and diplomatic families, but the school enrols a broad international community and globally mobile Indian families where places allow.
