The American School In England
Encyclopedia
TASIS England, also known as "The American School in England," is one of five American school
s located in and around London
. It was founded in 1976 in the village of Thorpe, Surrey
, south west of London.
The school consists of an early years program called Frog Hollow, a Lower School (pre-kindergarten to 5th grade), a Middle School (6th-8th grade) and an Upper School (9th-12th grades). In total there are approximately 750 students and 100 full-time faculty. The Upper School has about 390 students, 165 of whom board.
The Lower and Middle schools teach the American Core Knowledge
curriculum. The Upper School, starting in 2005-2006, offers the International Baccalaureate together with the traditional American AP system, which it has offered since its founding.
One of the many programs that TASIS offers is its INPRO, "in-program", travel week during October. During this week off, students travel, if they wish, to various countries throughout the world. Past destinations have included France
, Ireland
, Spain
, Germany
, Russia
, Italy
, Greece
, Morocco
and various Eastern European countries. The Greece trip has traditionally been the Senior class trip.
. TASIS England was originally set up as a branch of that school based in Surrey
, England. Its current official relationship to the original TASIS (other than sharing private ownership) is that of a sister school. TASIS England was founded in 1976 by Mary Crist Fleming for the purpose of expanding the TASIS family. Although fairly young, it is the second oldest international school in the London area.
The school is divided into North and South campuses, separated by Coldharbour Lane. The Lower and Middle Schools are completely located on the North side of campus. Several dorms, Thorpe House, the Admissions building, cafeteria and Student Center are located on the South side of campus.
With the help of a $745,000 grant from the US embassy, TASIS augmented its campus security with the addition of an extensive infra-red CCTV network and a new public address system. The campus is secured by security personnel who routinely patrol campus. In the event of campus invasion or any incident that should require swift evacuation from the campus, TASIS is served by a comprehensive emergency plan by which students and staff are transported via a protected route to a safe haven. It is important that on hearing about an evacuation, no TASIS parents attempt to return to campus or attempt to pick up their child. When it is safe for students to be released, parents will be contacted by phone.
The school is currently undergoing rebuilding under a ten-year Master Plan. Thus far, extensions have been built to provide more classroom space, and the gyms have been expanded. There is a new fitness center, concessions booth, four new changing rooms, two dance studios and a new PE department office. These new changes were financed on a one-off surcharge to tuition which families are expected to pay during their first year at TASIS.
The school is located near Staines
, which has a cinema, shops, as well as a train station. The school runs shuttles on the weekend allowing boarding students easier access to the town. The school is not immediately accessible by public transport.
The school is located 30 minutes away from Heathrow Airport and 45 minutes away from London
by train. The nearest train stations are in Virginia Water
and Staines
.
, though this varies depending on which school division the student is in. The middle school wears navy.
Starting 2007-2008, the Upper School introduced a new dress code to cut down on dress code violation. The dress code change was controversial among many parents and students, as could be expected of any tightening of dress code. Dress code for boys did not change greatly, but girls had much less freedom than had been previously allowed. During the 2007-2008 academic year, administration planned a new dress code for use in the 2008-2009 academic year and further as deemed appropriate. This new uniform rotates every semester. Mimicking professional attire, it tightens during the winter term from TASIS polos and TASIS sweaters to TASIS button-down shirts and a jacket and tie for boys and a TASIS button-down shirt and sweater for girls. The dress code loosens again for the spring term.
The Upper School is college preparatory and currently operates on a block schedule. The school is also a boarding school, with a boarding body of over 160 students.
, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges
, and the International Baccalaureate Organisation have all accredited TASIS England.
In 2004-5, the school was inspected by Ofsted
, the Office for Standards in Education of the UK government. It is in charge of school inspections in England.
Many students take Advanced Placement (AP) tests. Currently, APs are offered in Art History, Biology, Calculus, Chemistry, Economics, English Language, English Literature, Environmental Science, European History, French Language, German Language, Government, Latin, Music Theory, Physics, Spanish, Statistics, US History and World History.
The pass rate of AP exams at TASIS is 20% above the American independent school average of 70%, as 90% of AP exams taken at TASIS England in May 2007 received grades of 3 and above. TASIS' British web page posts their 2007 AP exam results as the following:
Art History: 100%
Biology: 100%
Calculus AB: 86%
Calculus BC: 100%
Chemistry: 82%
Computer Science A: 67%
Economics: Macro: 79%
Economics: Micro: 73%
English Language and Composition: 100%
English Literature and Composition: 100%
Environmental Science: 82%
European History: 100%
French Language: 78%
Government and Politics- Comp: 100%
Government and Politics- US: 100%
Music Theory: 50%
Physics B: 89%
Spanish Language: 100%
Statistics: 100%
US History: 94%
The school currently offers the IB Diploma as well, a program of studies recognized in colleges and universities internationally, especially in Europe. 100% of year two IB students at TASIS England passed in 2007.
. In 2007, 97% of TASIS graduates were either accepted into three or four-year universities, or chose to pursue a gap year before making university plans. While many TASIS graduates go to American universities, some go to the UK, Japan
, Spain
, Germany
and Canada
.
School
A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools...
s located in and around London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. It was founded in 1976 in the village of Thorpe, Surrey
Thorpe, Surrey
Thorpe is a village in Surrey, England, located between Egham and Chertsey. It lies just inside the circle of the western part of the M25, near the M3. Neighbouring villages include Virginia Water, Wentworth, Laleham and Lyne...
, south west of London.
The school consists of an early years program called Frog Hollow, a Lower School (pre-kindergarten to 5th grade), a Middle School (6th-8th grade) and an Upper School (9th-12th grades). In total there are approximately 750 students and 100 full-time faculty. The Upper School has about 390 students, 165 of whom board.
The Lower and Middle schools teach the American Core Knowledge
Core Knowledge
Core Knowledge refers to a current textbook series originally written by a collective of former top Year 12 South Australian students of the same name for South Australian Certificate of Education students...
curriculum. The Upper School, starting in 2005-2006, offers the International Baccalaureate together with the traditional American AP system, which it has offered since its founding.
One of the many programs that TASIS offers is its INPRO, "in-program", travel week during October. During this week off, students travel, if they wish, to various countries throughout the world. Past destinations have included France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
, Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
and various Eastern European countries. The Greece trip has traditionally been the Senior class trip.
Origin of name
TASIS stands for The American School in SwitzerlandThe American School In Switzerland
The American School In Switzerland is a private school that receives elementary, middle, and high school students from many different nations and provides them with a Western-based education. Located in Montagnola, a small town above Lugano, Ticino, Switzerland, it has a current student body of...
. TASIS England was originally set up as a branch of that school based in Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
, England. Its current official relationship to the original TASIS (other than sharing private ownership) is that of a sister school. TASIS England was founded in 1976 by Mary Crist Fleming for the purpose of expanding the TASIS family. Although fairly young, it is the second oldest international school in the London area.
Campus and surrounding areas
The school was converted from a 17th century manor. Hence, the Coach House buildings were the coach houses of the manor. Dr James Lander, a history teacher at the school, wrote an extensive history of the school and surrounding area in The Heart of Thorpe.The school is divided into North and South campuses, separated by Coldharbour Lane. The Lower and Middle Schools are completely located on the North side of campus. Several dorms, Thorpe House, the Admissions building, cafeteria and Student Center are located on the South side of campus.
With the help of a $745,000 grant from the US embassy, TASIS augmented its campus security with the addition of an extensive infra-red CCTV network and a new public address system. The campus is secured by security personnel who routinely patrol campus. In the event of campus invasion or any incident that should require swift evacuation from the campus, TASIS is served by a comprehensive emergency plan by which students and staff are transported via a protected route to a safe haven. It is important that on hearing about an evacuation, no TASIS parents attempt to return to campus or attempt to pick up their child. When it is safe for students to be released, parents will be contacted by phone.
The school is currently undergoing rebuilding under a ten-year Master Plan. Thus far, extensions have been built to provide more classroom space, and the gyms have been expanded. There is a new fitness center, concessions booth, four new changing rooms, two dance studios and a new PE department office. These new changes were financed on a one-off surcharge to tuition which families are expected to pay during their first year at TASIS.
The school is located near Staines
Staines
Staines is a Thames-side town in the Spelthorne borough of Surrey and Greater London Urban Area, as well as the London Commuter Belt of South East England. It is a suburban development within the western bounds of the M25 motorway and located 17 miles west south-west of Charing Cross in...
, which has a cinema, shops, as well as a train station. The school runs shuttles on the weekend allowing boarding students easier access to the town. The school is not immediately accessible by public transport.
The school is located 30 minutes away from Heathrow Airport and 45 minutes away from London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
by train. The nearest train stations are in Virginia Water
Virginia Water
Virginia Water is an affluent village, a lake and, originally, a stream, the village being in the Runnymede Borough Council in Surrey and the bodies of water stretching over the borders of Runnymede, Old Windsor and Sunninghill and Ascot, England....
and Staines
Staines
Staines is a Thames-side town in the Spelthorne borough of Surrey and Greater London Urban Area, as well as the London Commuter Belt of South East England. It is a suburban development within the western bounds of the M25 motorway and located 17 miles west south-west of Charing Cross in...
.
Dress code
Lower and middle school students are required to wear a uniformUniform
A uniform is a set of standard clothing worn by members of an organization while participating in that organization's activity. Modern uniforms are worn by armed forces and paramilitary organizations such as police, emergency services, security guards, in some workplaces and schools and by inmates...
, though this varies depending on which school division the student is in. The middle school wears navy.
Starting 2007-2008, the Upper School introduced a new dress code to cut down on dress code violation. The dress code change was controversial among many parents and students, as could be expected of any tightening of dress code. Dress code for boys did not change greatly, but girls had much less freedom than had been previously allowed. During the 2007-2008 academic year, administration planned a new dress code for use in the 2008-2009 academic year and further as deemed appropriate. This new uniform rotates every semester. Mimicking professional attire, it tightens during the winter term from TASIS polos and TASIS sweaters to TASIS button-down shirts and a jacket and tie for boys and a TASIS button-down shirt and sweater for girls. The dress code loosens again for the spring term.
Academics
Overall, the school has lower than average levels of unexcused absences from students and equally low rates of punishable offenses committed on campus. The teacher student ratio is 1 : 7.The Upper School is college preparatory and currently operates on a block schedule. The school is also a boarding school, with a boarding body of over 160 students.
Graduation requirements
Current graduation requirements are as follows:- English - 4 credits
- History - 3 credits (with required courses in grades 9 and 10, and including US History at the 11th or *12th grade level)
- Foreign Language - Third-level proficiency in a modern foreign language. If a student has completed the second-level proficiency in Latin, a further two levels of a modern language will satisfy this requirement. Students must satisfactorily complete at least two levels of their foreign language study in grades 9-12.
- Mathematics - 3 credits in high school
- Science - 3 credits in high school laboratory science courses, including Biology
- Arts - 1 credit
- Humanities - 1 credit (in grade 12)
- Physical Education - Required courses in grades 9 and 10
- Sports/Activities - Students in grades 9 through 12 participate in the afternoon Sports/Activities Program.
- Community Service Program - Students in grades 9 through 12 complete a CSP assignment on or off campus
Accreditation
The Council of International SchoolsCouncil of International Schools
The Council of International Schools is a non-profit association of international schools and post-secondary institutions which aims to improve international education...
, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges
New England Association of Schools and Colleges
The New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc. is the U.S. regional accreditation association providing educational accreditation for all levels of education, from pre-kindergarten to the doctoral level, in the six-state New England region. It also provides accreditation for some...
, and the International Baccalaureate Organisation have all accredited TASIS England.
In 2004-5, the school was inspected by Ofsted
Ofsted
The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills is the non-ministerial government department of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools In England ....
, the Office for Standards in Education of the UK government. It is in charge of school inspections in England.
Advanced studies
The school does not offer honors courses, as students of high academic standing generally elect to take AP or IB courses. The Advanced Placement courses do not require the writing of the AP exam, although it is usually taken. Vice versa, some students take AP exams without taking an AP course.Many students take Advanced Placement (AP) tests. Currently, APs are offered in Art History, Biology, Calculus, Chemistry, Economics, English Language, English Literature, Environmental Science, European History, French Language, German Language, Government, Latin, Music Theory, Physics, Spanish, Statistics, US History and World History.
The pass rate of AP exams at TASIS is 20% above the American independent school average of 70%, as 90% of AP exams taken at TASIS England in May 2007 received grades of 3 and above. TASIS' British web page posts their 2007 AP exam results as the following:
Art History: 100%
Biology: 100%
Calculus AB: 86%
Calculus BC: 100%
Chemistry: 82%
Computer Science A: 67%
Economics: Macro: 79%
Economics: Micro: 73%
English Language and Composition: 100%
English Literature and Composition: 100%
Environmental Science: 82%
European History: 100%
French Language: 78%
Government and Politics- Comp: 100%
Government and Politics- US: 100%
Music Theory: 50%
Physics B: 89%
Spanish Language: 100%
Statistics: 100%
US History: 94%
The school currently offers the IB Diploma as well, a program of studies recognized in colleges and universities internationally, especially in Europe. 100% of year two IB students at TASIS England passed in 2007.
University admissions
Graduates from TASIS England often go on to universityUniversity
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
. In 2007, 97% of TASIS graduates were either accepted into three or four-year universities, or chose to pursue a gap year before making university plans. While many TASIS graduates go to American universities, some go to the UK, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
Notable former pupils
- Emma CaulfieldEmma CaulfieldEmma Caulfield is an American actress best known for her role as ex-demon Anya Jenkins on the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, as well as Susan Keats, a love interest of Brandon Walsh's on the television series Beverly Hills, 90210.-Early life:Emma Caulfield was born Emma Chukker in San...
- actor. - Emmy ClarkeEmmy ClarkeMary Elizabeth Clarke , better known as Emmy Clarke, is an American actress.At the age of one Clarke moved with her parents to Houston, Texas. At age 6 she moved to Woking, England, where she attended TASIS England before moving to New York City at age 11. The nickname "Emmy" is derived from her...
- singer, songwriter and film director. - Francesca GregoriniFrancesca GregoriniFrancesca Gregorini is an Italian-American singer and songwriter. -Youth:...
- actor. - Tyler HinmanTyler HinmanTyler Hinman is a crossword solver and constructor and a five-time winner of the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament . He won the tournament for the first time as a 20-year-old in 2005 and by 2009 had won five consecutive titles, a feat unprecedented in the 32-year history of the tournament...
- crossword solver and constructor.
External links
- http://england.tasis.com/uploaded/PDFs/Publications/AcademicProfile2007-8.pdf
- TASIS England
- TASIS, The American School in Switzerland
- OfSTED Report on TASIS England
- Fleming, Mary C. The American school in England. 1 Jan. 10 Feb. 2009