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60 years of learning and growth

60 years of learning and growth

Welcome Message from the School Director

BAS_2108

I am delighted to extend a warm welcome to each and every one of you! I am very happy to be a part of this wonderful community, and to lead our dedicated faculty and staff to achieve our inspirational mission:

At the American International School of Bucharest, we are committed to fostering a nurturing and inclusive environment that promotes academic excellence, emotional growth and cultural understanding. As an international school, we value diversity and celebrate the unique backgrounds and perspectives that each of our students brings to our community


Rachel Caldwell
School Director

About Us

The American International School of Bucharest is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1962 to serve the needs of the diplomatic community of Bucharest. In the span of 60 years, we have grown and developed to embrace over 900 students and almost 300 faculty and staff members from more than 60 nationalities. Our Future Plan guides our thinking and actions to make learning relevant and grounded on our beliefs of a creative, courageous and compassionate world.

AISB is governed by its Board of Trustees, composed of current and former parents, and currently led by Chairperson, Michael Dickerson. The Board of Trustees oversees the school’s strategic discussions, budget and funding decisions, and policy development. The operation of the school is delegated to the Director and AISB Leadership Team.

Rachel Caldwell

Rachel Caldwell

AISB Director
board-2023-2024

Board of Trustees

2023-24 School Year

Three Divisions, One Mission

AISB caters for students from EC2 to Grade 12 and is divided into three divisions:

The Early Learning Center is a purpose-built, state-of-the-art center that opened in 2017 to welcome AISB’s youngest learners, aged 2 to 6 years old. The Early Learning Center (ELC) includes students from EC2 to Kindergarten.

The Elementary School includes children aged 6 to 11 years old, from grades 1 through 5, where learning is guided by the IB’s Primary Years Programme. 

The Secondary School welcomes 11 to 18 year-old students in grades 6 through 12. The lower grades take the IB’s Middle Years Programme (MYP), while those in Grades 11 and 12 take the Diploma Programme (DP) in preparation for University.

Supporting Teams

Alongside our wonderful team of educators in the three divisions, a number of main offices and supporting teams assists with the day-to-day operations of the school:

Director’s Office

Admissions & Communications

Human Resources

Facilities Office

Business Office

Athletics & Activities

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at AISB

AISB is committed to creating a safe, equitable and inclusive learning community where everyone feels a sense of belonging.

We strive to ensure that all members of our community, students and families, staff and faculty, are provided with equitable access and opportunities in an environment where they are accepted, valued, and encouraged to be their authentic selves. 

AISB is a place where human dignity is affirmed.

Annual Report

At AISB, growth is the only constant. Take a look at what has been shared with all stakeholders about the 2020-21 school year.

Our Future Plan

Future Plan MOBILE
VisionMissionLearningBelongingCapacity BuildingService & CommunityCampus StewardshipFinancial StewardshipCommunity Relations

Vision

We aspire to be a creative, courageous and compassionate learning community.

Mission

AISB engages learners with a rigorous and balanced international education that inspires students to get the best from themselves and others, ethical in their actions and open-minded in their thinking about the world.

Learning

To cultivate a community that understands learning and seeks to improve.

  • AISB Learning Principles are embedded in planning, pedagogy and learning spaces throughout our school.
  • Students form strong, transferable understandings while acquiring knowledge and skills through our concept-based curriculum.
  • Educators build the capacity, efficacy and craftsmanship to facilitate and assess concept-based teaching & learning.
  • Students are self-directed learners who are able to pursue their aspirations with determination and social-emotional intelligence.
  • All learners understand and use the Approaches to Learning to reflect on their learning and define their next step.

Belonging

To create a safe, inclusive and connected community where everyone feels a deep sense of belonging.

  • Our community enhances a sense of well-being through growing our social and emotional competencies.
  • AISB strengthens our practices towards building an inclusive, equitable and diverse community.
  • Our community understands, exemplifies and lives our shared core values and norms.
  • AISB engages our community in building CQ skills for living and connecting across cultures.
  • Celebrations and social connections unite our AISB community.

Capacity Building

To empower our learning community to develop their voice, agency and leadership capacity.

  • AISB attracts and retains high quality and diverse staff and faculty through transparent and fair HR policies and practices.
  • AISB has sustainable systems for professional learning, using coaching and mentoring as tools.
  • Student voice, leadership and agency are continuously developed through sustainable pathways.
  • Celebrations and social connections unite our AISB community.

Service & Community

To instill and nurture a sense of belonging and stewardship of communities beyond AISB.

  • AISB responds to the principles of the UN Sustainable Development Goals by fostering understanding, action, and leadership.
  • AISB nurtures collaborations with the host country and supports local communities.
  • Our community understands, exemplifies and lives our shared core values and norms.
  • AISB engages our community in building CQ skills for living and connecting across cultures.
  • Celebrations and social connections unite our AISB community.

Campus Stewardship

To ensure a safe, healthy and inspiring physical and virtual learning environment for all.

  • Develop and action an AISB facilities masterplan to support the further development of forward-thinking learning spaces.
  • This plan is aligned with our capital investment strategy.
  • Ensure that emergency planning and procedures remain current, effective and understood by the community.
  • Ensure a robust and secure technology infrastructure and professional support system to support online learning and work.

Financial Stewardship

To ensure effective, ethical, and efficient financial systems and accountability structures that secure the financial health of AISB.

  • Set financial and business procedures that are benchmarked against best practices among non-for-profit organization.
  • Implement effective monitoring systems to support the processing of transactions, internal controls, and timely and accurate financial reporting.
  • Define strategy to achieve the liquidity level to protect the school against cash shortfalls and to build a resource base for the future programmes.
  • Develop a risk management framework that anticipates financial demands and can be responsive to operational changes that affect our budget cycles.
  • Further develop tuition fee strategies to support all members of the AISB community.

Community Relations

To engage the AISB and local communities in the life of the school and inspire them with our vision and mission.

  • Execute an authentic, efficient, and effective communications strategy that showcases school and community best practices that further the vision of AISB.
  • Develop a sustainable community association to support the school and the wider community through positive actions, open-mindedness and an inclusive mindset.
  • Immersing each prospective family in a personalized admissions process that supports the school’s enrolment strategy through the choice of mission-appropriate students and families.
  • Engaging former students, parents and faculty in school and community events in order to maintain the feeling of belonging and reciprocal support.
  • Furthering the AISB Vision within the school and the wider community by friend-raising, fundraising and drawing on community expertise.
 

Our Future Plan

Future Plan 2
VisionMissionLearningBelongingCapacity BuildingService & CommunityCampus StewardshipFinancial StewardshipCommunity Relations

Vision

We aspire to be a creative, courageous and compassionate learning community. 

Mission

AISB engages learners with a rigorous and balanced international education that inspires students to get the best from themselves and others, ethical in their actions and open-minded in their thinking about the world. 

Learning

To cultivate a community that understands learning and seeks to improve.

  • AISB Learning Principles are embedded in planning, pedagogy and learning spaces throughout our school.
  • Students form strong, transferable understandings while acquiring knowledge and skills through our concept-based curriculum.
  • Educators build the capacity, efficacy and craftsmanship to facilitate and assess concept-based teaching & learning.
  • Students are self-directed learners who are able to pursue their aspirations with determination and social-emotional intelligence.
  • All learners understand and use the Approaches to Learning to reflect on their learning and define their next step.

Belonging

To create a safe, inclusive and connected community where everyone feels a deep sense of belonging.

  • Our community enhances a sense of well-being through growing our social and emotional competencies.
  • AISB strengthens our practices towards building an inclusive, equitable and diverse community.
  • Our community understands, exemplifies and lives our shared core values and norms.
  • AISB engages our community in building CQ skills for living and connecting across cultures.
  • Celebrations and social connections unite our AISB community.

Capacity Building

To empower our learning community to develop their voice, agency and leadership capacity.

  • AISB attracts and retains high quality and diverse staff and faculty through transparent and fair HR policies and practices.
  • AISB has sustainable systems for professional learning, using coaching and mentoring as tools.
  • Student voice, leadership and agency are continuously developed through sustainable pathways.
  • Celebrations and social connections unite our AISB community.

Service & Community

To instill and nurture a sense of belonging and stewardship of communities beyond AISB.

  • AISB responds to the principles of the UN Sustainable Development Goals by fostering understanding, action, and leadership.
  • AISB nurtures collaborations with the host country and supports local communities.
  • Our community understands, exemplifies and lives our shared core values and norms.
  • AISB engages our community in building CQ skills for living and connecting across cultures.
  • Celebrations and social connections unite our AISB community.

Campus Stewardship

To ensure a safe, healthy and inspiring physical and virtual learning environment for all.

  • Develop and action an AISB facilities masterplan to support the further development of forward-thinking learning spaces.
  • This plan is aligned with our capital investment strategy.
  • Ensure that emergency planning and procedures remain current, effective and understood by the community.
  • Ensure a robust and secure technology infrastructure and professional support system to support online learning and work.

Financial Stewardship

To ensure effective, ethical, and efficient financial systems and accountability structures that secure the financial health of AISB.

  • Set financial and business procedures that are benchmarked against best practices among non-for-profit organization.
  • Implement effective monitoring systems to support the processing of transactions, internal controls, and timely and accurate financial reporting.
  • Define strategy to achieve the liquidity level to protect the school against cash shortfalls and to build a resource base for the future programmes.
  • Develop a risk management framework that anticipates financial demands and can be responsive to operational changes that affect our budget cycles.
  • Further develop tuition fee strategies to support all members of the AISB community.

Community Relations

To engage the AISB and local communities in the life of the school and inspire them with our vision and mission.

  • Execute an authentic, efficient, and effective communications strategy that showcases school and community best practices that further the vision of AISB.
  • Develop a sustainable community association to support the school and the wider community through positive actions, open-mindedness and an inclusive mindset.
  • Immersing each prospective family in a personalized admissions process that supports the school’s enrolment strategy through the choice of mission-appropriate students and families.
  • Engaging former students, parents and faculty in school and community events in order to maintain the feeling of belonging and reciprocal support.
  • Furthering the AISB Vision within the school and the wider community by friend-raising, fundraising and drawing on community expertise.
 

Past & Present

  • 1960s

    The Beginnings

    The Beginnings

    10+ students

    3+ countries

    2+ teachers

    2 rooms on Vasile Conta St

    In September of 1962, the American School of Bucharest officially opened its doors with two teachers and six children in two rooms in Strada Vasile Conta. The new school was equipped with American textbooks donated by families. Desks, blackboards, and other supplies were purchased in Frankfurt and brought to Romania on U.S. military planes. Despite the scarce materials and inherent hardships, there was a deep commitment to make the first year a success and to ensure a future for the new school.

  • 1970s

    Growth and Diversity 

    Growth and Diversity 

    100+ students

    20+ countries

    20+ faculty and staff

    1 building on Popa Chitu St

    The 1970s were fraught with changes and challenges, and the American School did not escape the difficult conditions of life under the authoritarian regime in Romania. To add to the political turmoil, Bucharest suffered a massive earthquake that disrupted classes temporarily. In spite of it all, the school continued to develop and grow to welcome students from all over the world, adding an English as a Second Language Department.

  • 1980s

    Dramatic Changes

    Dramatic Changes

    120+ students

    30+ countries

    20+ faculty and staff

    1 building on Costinescu St

    To meet the needs of a growing student population from 30 different countries, ASB moved to the Nicolae Costinescu campus where it stayed for several years. It shared a common wall with the television station and consequently became part of the tumultuous revolution that was rapidly developing at the end of December 1989. The school building and grounds were part of the area experiencing fierce fighting and the school was occupied. It wasn’t until the middle of January 1990 that we were able to re-enter the school to find out that it had been destroyed; riddled with bullet holes, shattered windowpanes, and fallen plaster. It was entirely unsafe to re-open.

  • 1990s

    Expansion and Innovation

    Expansion and Innovation

    350+ students

    40+ countries

    60+ faculty and staff

    3 buildings on Costinescu St, Laptari St, and Calea Dorobanti

    By the end of January 1990, classes were resumed. As the school continued to grow, another location was acquired in 1993 and the Dorobanti campus was opened, then another one in 1996 in Laptari. Thus, the school operated in three different locations throughout the city. As in the past, the international community rallied to keep the educational program going. In the Dorobantilor campus, for example, the majority of classrooms and offices were equipped with computers, and a brand-new computer lab with Apple machines acquired with the help of the US Embassy was launched.

  • 2000s

    The New Campus

    The New Campus

    Over the years, as Romania has opened its doors to more foreign investment and become a member of the European Union, the student population has continued to increase dramatically. AISB’s new, 10-hectare, purpose-built campus was opened in 2001 and continues to meet the needs of our community today.

    700+ students

    50+ countries 

    200+ faculty and staff from 13 countries 

    10-hectare, purpose-built campus on Pipera Bd.

  • 2020s

    The AISB of Today

    The AISB of Today

    1000+ students

    60+ countries

    280+ faculty and staff from 20 countries

    10-hectare, purpose-built campus, revamped to include a state-of- the-art Early Learning Center, a Design and Innovation Center and an extended Secondary School.

    In 2020, AISB transitioned to Distance Learning in response to the needs of the COVID19 pandemic. During these challenging years, the school community has done its very best to manage the health risks associated with the virus, through a proactive and prudent approach. A health infrastructure was put in place, as well as policies and procedures to keep everyone safe. With these protective measures and the support of our stakeholders, AISB continues developing its vision of a creative, courageous and compassionate community of learners, ready to take on the challenges of a fast-changing world with a caring, principled and open-minded attitude.

Visiting AISB

We kindly ask prospective families planning to visit AISB to contact us prior to the visit. We will get back to you within 24 hours by email. Thank you for understanding.

The safety and security of our students is of utmost importance to us. Please review the following guidelines with regards to visiting AISB. For security purposes, please remember to bring valid identification with you when you visit AISB.

  • Parent access on campus is limited to school events and specific appointments. Please make sure that you have informed the school office you are visiting of your arrival so the security office can be notified. When on campus, the following regulations apply:
  • Parking Permits: the current parking permits are valid through August 31st. These rules apply to the main campus parking lot as well as the Early Learning Center (ELC) parking lot. 
  • Driving within, and out of the school campus: driving within the grounds of the school should be done with utmost attention towards students and parents who are walking and other vehicles moving at the same time. For families who need to drop off their children in two different campuses in the morning, given the traffic at that time, we suggest that you park in the ELC campus, so that your older children can walk to other sections of the school.
  • School buildings will remain locked at all times.
  • Electronic campus access will be granted as follows:
    • Parents and designated family members with chip-access cards will be allowed automatic entrance to the school.
    • All other people will not be allowed access unless by prior arrangement.
    • FA (Family Aides) will not be allowed access to the Main Campus without prior notification but will be allowed access to the ELC for short instances (dropping off and picking up our early learners). The recipients of these badges must be registered by parents at the ELC Reception as well as the Main Campus Reception and must carry a valid ID when entering the school campus. They will need to leave the ID at the Reception / Gate to receive a badge. FA badges are not to be taken home, they are returned in exchange for the ID. It is the parents’ responsibility to inform the school if they no longer work with a certain caretaker.
    • V (Visitors) to the campus must have a confirmed appointment. No walk-ins are allowed. All visitors must have the exact name of the person they are visiting and a valid ID. All visitors will receive and must display the Visitors (V) badge while on campus. These rules apply also to visitors entering with parents in a car which has a parking sticker. 
    • SC (Subcontractors) to the school will present their ID and receive a SC badge from Reception / Gate. They will also enter the school only upon a prior arrangement / appointment. 
    • Families residing in the Ibiza Compounds (behind the school) and using the Cafeteria and back gate will be able to access the Main Campus using their photo badge which opens the gate. No entrance is permitted through these gates with only your ID. If you need a parent / family member badge, please contact the school Reception.

Thank you for partnering with us in making sure that our campus is safe and appropriate for our children’s education. 

  •  

Supporting AISB

Our philanthropy is as diverse as our school community.

At AISB, philanthropy is not measured solely by the amount of money raised. It is measured in equal parts by the amount of energy spent addressing issues which are challenging our community. It is measured by the number of people who participate and volunteer their time and energy to make a difference in the community. It is a key strength at our school.

The AISB culture of philanthropy is evident in many ways and we thank you for your continued support of efforts such as the following:

  • Service Learning projects – Support for projects initiated by students, faculty and parents;
  • Terry Fox Run – Support for cancer research in Romania;
  • Scholarship Program – Supporting those bright local children who would otherwise be unable to afford tuition at AISB.

Donors of AISB may come from many constituencies, including parents, AISB alumni, business leaders, Romanian and foreign corporations and private citizens.

We are thankful to those people committed to helping the school raise the funds necessary to enhance its educational programs and help provide students with access to safe, quality facilities. In recognition of their donation, AISB offers other advantages beyond that of helping improve the educational opportunities of AISB students.

Depending on the level of support, aggregated over the years, donors are automatically added to one of the five giving levels with available benefits as below. Once you reach a certain giving level, you will be contacted by AISB to arrange the presentation of the recognition. Anonymity will be honored if requested.

Please see the AISB Fundraising Policy for more information on our policies and procedures.

If you would like to support AISB, please contact our Admissions and External Relations Office. Thank you in advance for your support.

Friends of AISB

1,000 to 9,999 €

Recognition on school website and plaque displayed in the Atrium
Recognition in AISB mailings
Recognition in the school monthly newsletter
Naming possibility for school facilities as listed below
Mention in various school events
Article in the school Alumni World Magazine
Advertorial in the Romanian Insider
Interview in the school Annual Report
Supportersof AISB

10,000 to 29,999 €

Recognition on school website and plaque displayed in the Atrium
Recognition in AISB mailings
Recognition in the school monthly newsletter
Naming possibility for school facilities as listed below
Mention in various school events
Article in the school Alumni World Magazine
Advertorial in the Romanian Insider
Interview in the school Annual Report
Partnersof AISB

30,000 to 49,999 €

Recognition on school website and plaque displayed in the Atrium
Recognition in AISB mailings
Recognition in the school monthly newsletter
Naming possibility for school facilities
Mention in various school events
Article in the school Alumni World Magazine
Advertorial in the Romanian Insider
Interview in the school Annual Report
Benefactorsof AISB

50,000 to 99,999 €

Recognition on school website and plaque displayed in the Atrium
Recognition in AISB mailings
Recognition in the school monthly newsletter
Naming possibility for school facilities
Mention in various school events
Article in the school Alumni World Magazine
Advertorial in the Romanian Insider
Interview in the school Annual Report
Patronsof AISB

Above 100,000 €

Recognition on school website and plaque displayed in the Atrium
Recognition in AISB mailings
Recognition in the school monthly newsletter
Naming possibility for school facilities
Mention in various school events
Article in the school Alumni World Magazine
Advertorial in the Romanian Insider
Interview in the school Annual Report
  • ALL
  • FRIENDS OF AISB
  • SUPPORTERS OF AISB
  • PARTNERS OF AISB
  • BENEFACTORS OF AISB
  • PATRONS OF AISB
 
Alpha Medical
Aaylex
Bogdan Greavu
Cez Romania
Malineanu Family & Concept Consult
Edenia
Turkish Airlines
Domeniile Blaga
Oana Cirjoi
Roman Zbarcea Family
Alexandrion Group
Florin Balu
Dobrescu Family
Vranceanu Family
Demetra Garbasevschi
Stewart Family
Jardine Family
Mucibabici Family
Martin Family
Calina Family
Robert Both
Stejarii Residential Club
Maravela & Associates
Coca Cola
Ama Optimex
URBB Tuborg
Fly Go
Synergy
Happy Tour
Crystal Palace
Crisman Optim
Lemon Interior Design
EUROPLAST MANTZARIS
TUFAN FAMILY & ELSID
DENT ESTET
Carpathian Ostrich Alliance
Cafele Premiate
PTO
Rilvan
P&G
Tudor
Raiffeisen
Perceptum
Radacini Equipment
Pepsico
Metro
Ines Group
JW Marriott
Hispanitas
Heineken
Gosselin
Cameron
Iulia Toader
World Class
Clinica Eliade
Del Mar
Albatrosstravel
Stejarii Country Club
Anda Roman