Mission and Values

American & International

The American School of Madrid is an educational institution with an international mindset. American values, culture, and standards are our building blocks. We are grounded on a personalized, collaborative effort to nurture articulate and independent global thinkers.

Excellence & Challenge

Students are challenged to reach their full potential, academically and socially. Our school provides opportunities to develop areas of expertise, balancing well-being, accomplishment, and rigor. ASM offers a breadth and depth of resources and experiences in academics, sports, and the arts, with opportunities to apply and transfer knowledge and skills.

Innovation & Collaboration

We encourage students to learn from their mistakes and be willing to take risks. Our community embraces change with optimism and resourcefulness. We promote critical thinking as the cornerstone of an American education in a modern campus designed for collaborative and open engagement.

Belonging & Community

Once a Lancer, always a Lancer. We believe in taking care of one another and building rewarding relationships between parents, students, and staff. We celebrate our differences as a source of strength. Our campus is a safe place where we are collectively responsible for making each other feel comfortable, welcome, and supported.

Diversity & Inclusion

We offer a multilingual and multicultural experience, benefitting from diverse perspectives and backgrounds. Our international community values respect, inclusion, and kindness.

We empower lifelong learners to take on challenges and thrive, care for others in our diverse international community, and think globally and creatively toward a better future.

ASM is accredited by The Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges. Our Strategic Plan is part of the accreditation process and an ongoing commitment to continuous improvement. It was developed based on the data collected during the Self Study that took place during the 2020-21 school year and the input from community focus groups held in September 2021. The goals in the Strategic Plan are designed to realize ASM’s Mission by providing the foundation and direction for achieving and maintaining excellence.

INNOVATION

OBJECTIVE

By 2029, students at the American School of Madrid will demonstrate the learning dispositions and the inquiry, innovation, collaboration, and critical-thinking skills necessary to solve challenges facing them and their world.

STRATEGY

Use the integration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) to develop core skills (creativity, problem-solving, collaboration), increase engagement and motivation, and personalize the learning experience

Develop a clear focus by creating common definitions for the areas to be assessed

Create the context for innovation with a schoolwide inquiry model and a framework for integrated units

Ongoing communication

STUDENT WELLBEING

OBJECTIVE

By 2029, students at the American School of Madrid will, through a supportive environment and a broad range of experiences, contribute to building strong connections in our diverse community and successfully achieve their personal goals.

STRATEGY

Create opportunities for meaningful and appropriate inclusion of student voice and choice in activities, events, and school operations

Adapt Program Offerings during and after school for students to pursue their passions and find community through them

Effective community communication

Modify Curriculum to build in student wellbeing options and learning opportunities K-12

TEACHING EXCELLENCE

OBJECTIVE

By 2029, the American School of Madrid will be recognized by students, parents, and other schools, as a place that can attract and retain the very best teachers and leaders that align with the ASM mission and expectations for ASM student learning and development.

STRATEGY

Expand our professional development options to ensure all staff have a voice and choice in their learning as well as opportunities to access and apply the latest research-based practices that will ensure excellence in student learning

Actively, and strategically, manage our talent pool to optimize the quality of ASM Staff

Grow a unified and inclusive mission-focused school culture in which all staff feel connected, valued, supported, and empowered to contribute to school excellence

Develop transparent and effective systems and processes for the recruitment and compensation of the very best teachers and leaders aligned with the values, pedagogical practices, and leadership practices of ASM

DEFINING ASM’S DNA

OBJECTIVE

By 2029, the American School of Madrid community will be able to articulate who we are and share a sense of pride and belonging to an American School operating in a diverse, international setting.

STRATEGY

Identify who we are at ASM

Elevate school spirit across the community

Improve systems for student onboarding, belonging, and staying connected

Grow a unified and inclusive mission-focused school culture in which all staff members feel connected, valued, supported, and empowered to contribute to school excellence

FINANCIAL PLANNING

OBJECTIVE

By 2029, the American School of Madrid will achieve a degree of solvency that will enable ASM to fund an endowment and complete any remaining projects from the Long-term Facilities Plan, while at the same time during the intervening seven years, optimizing the educational program, undertaking high-priority investments, and ensuring that reserves are sufficient to withstand any unforeseen adverse events.

STRATEGY

Optimize revenue

Enable implementation of the educational program

Define and implement facilities program

Streamline procedures and processes

ASM's Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice
ASM´s Learning Beliefs

ASM's Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice

We, at the American School of Madrid, stand for the rights of every individual to safety, belonging, and freedom from discrimination.
We as teachers, students, parents, administrators, staff, and board members hold ourselves accountable for actively working toward justice, repairing harm, and growing as lifelong learners.
We commit to recognizing and affirming all community members, with particular regard for those who are marginalized by identity including, but not limited to: race, color, ethnicity, religion, gender identity and expression, sexual identity, national origin, citizenship status, physical abilities, neurodiversity, socioeconomic status, and age.
Incidents of racism and all forms of bias or discrimination that result in the assault on an individual’s dignity and self-worth do not belong in our school. From revising schoolwide systems to defining individual responsibilities, we will continuously apply a critical and equity-based lens to improve our school’s policies and practices. This includes the development and application of clear and consistent consequences for when acts of injustice occur.
As a community bound by the primary objective of learning, we believe that our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice will empower not only our students but all members to courageously advocate for a more just world.

ASM´s Learning Beliefs

Important Learning

Should be purposeful and relevant.
Involves real-world experiences, risk and failure, self-reflection, and choice.
Is a continuous process.
Requires pushing through challenges and perceived limits.
Is facilitated by skillful, caring teachers.
Requires students to actively own their own learning.
Takes place within a positive, supportive school community.
Is supported by perseverance, problem-solving, self-reflection, time management, empathy, and collaboration.
Requires creativity by teachers and students.

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American & International

Excellence & Challenge

Innovation & Collaboration

Belonging & Community

Diversity & Inclusion

We empower lifelong learners to take on challenges and thrive, care for others in our diverse international community, and think globally and creatively toward a better future.

INNOVATION

OBJECTIVE

STRATEGY

STUDENT WELLBEING

OBJECTIVE

STRATEGY

TEACHING EXCELLENCE

OBJECTIVE

STRATEGY

DEFINING ASM’S DNA

OBJECTIVE

STRATEGY

FINANCIAL PLANNING

OBJECTIVE

STRATEGY

ASM's Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice

ASM´s Learning Beliefs

Important Learning