The American School of Tripoli
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Though only launched with a mere two students in September of 2005, the American School of Tripoli (AST) has bounded forward to boast an enrollment of 170 as of its fifth year.

The school offers expat children a competitive US curriculum from preschool – grade 12. As the only school in Tripoli certified to provide this line of study, the AST employs US certified teachers, lays claim to excellent facilities and imposes a standard of education comparable to the better private schools in America.
Though an international school with an American curriculum is welcome among members of the Libyan expat community, the familiar standard and infrastructure means that space fills fast – especially for the elementary school (Kindergarten – grade 5). It’s imperative that those expats moving to Libya register their children early and pay the necessary fee in order to secure a seat.
Preference is awarded to the students endorsed by the corporate companies that founded the school, and second preference is given to US nationals. Otherwise, the school has no specific selection criteria other than the basic age and language requirements. No Libyan students are considered for admission.
No scholarships or financial aid is available, but in most cases companies do allocate funds for expat children’s education. Be sure to enquire about this specific when negotiating your contract.
As a international school supported by the US Department of State, AST follows AERO (American Education Reaches Out) standards and benchmarks. In addition to offering a diverse curriculum that offers classes across disciplines of mathematics, science, language arts, social studies, music, visual arts, and word languages, the school adheres to the primary principles of US education:
Though only launched with a mere two students in September of 2005, the American School of Tripoli (AST) has bounded forward to boast an enrollment of 170 as of its fifth year.

The school offers expat children a competitive US curriculum from preschool – grade 12. As the only school in Tripoli certified to provide this line of study, the AST employs US certified teachers, lays claim to excellent facilities and imposes a standard of education comparable to the better private schools in America.
Though an international school with an American curriculum is welcome among members of the Libyan expat community, the familiar standard and infrastructure means that space fills fast – especially for the elementary school (Kindergarten – grade 5). It’s imperative that those expats moving to Libya register their children early and pay the necessary fee in order to secure a seat.
Preference is awarded to the students endorsed by the corporate companies that founded the school, and second preference is given to US nationals. Otherwise, the school has no specific selection criteria other than the basic age and language requirements. No Libyan students are considered for admission.
Basic Age and Language Requirements for Admission
- Preschool students must be three years old and out of diapers by 01 October to register
- Kindergarten students must be five years old and out of diapers by 01 October to register
- Students in grades 1-2 must have some understanding of spoken English to be registered
- Students in grades 3- 12 must be proficient in English to register
Tuition
- Preschool USD 8500
- K-8 USD 24000
- 9-12 USD 29000
No scholarships or financial aid is available, but in most cases companies do allocate funds for expat children’s education. Be sure to enquire about this specific when negotiating your contract.
Principles of US Education
As a international school supported by the US Department of State, AST follows AERO (American Education Reaches Out) standards and benchmarks. In addition to offering a diverse curriculum that offers classes across disciplines of mathematics, science, language arts, social studies, music, visual arts, and word languages, the school adheres to the primary principles of US education:
- Children develop at individual rates.
- Each child is unique and has a distinct learning style.
- Genuine learning consists of more than command of facts; it consists of understanding the significance of these facts with an ability to apply them in a variety of situations.
- In order to construct meaning, students are encouraged to ask questions and challenge deas. They are taught to be critical thinkers, creative problem solvers, and decision makers.
- The teacher’s role is to be a facilitator of learning rather than a dispenser of knowledge. While teachers may occasionally lecture and give direct instruction, they create learning situations in which students have opportunities to explore, research and discover knowledge on their own.
- Students are taught to for their own learning and that learning is life long.
- Parents are expected to be partners with teachers in their children’s education

