Upper School

Welcome to the Upper School at The American School of Marrakech.

As ASM enters its 30th year, we reflect on how far we have come since our founding in 1995. From a small school with a bold vision, we have grown into a thriving international community where students from around the world come together to learn, grow, and lead. These Upper School years are a pivotal time in that journey, marked by increasing independence, deeper inquiry, personal discovery, and a growing sense of responsibility.

At ASM, our approach to education is intentional and student-centered. We are committed to supporting each learner’s academic, personal, and social development with care and purpose. Our faculty and staff work closely to ensure that every student is challenged in the classroom, encouraged in their interests, and empowered to contribute meaningfully to the world around them. Integrity is central to our work, whether in academic honesty, respectful interactions, or ethical leadership. We help students not only find their voice but also learn how to use it thoughtfully.

Learning at ASM is dynamic and expansive. The Upper School experience is grounded in a holistic approach that balances academic rigor with opportunities in the arts, athletics, leadership, and service. We encourage students to take initiative, reflect on their actions, and engage with the community. In doing so, they grow in confidence and character, developing a strong sense of responsibility and resilience.

Our community is built on mutual respect and inclusion. We take pride in creating an environment where all students are known, welcomed, and heard. Different perspectives are celebrated, and every member of our school contributes to the richness of our shared experience. We want our students to feel a strong sense of belonging and to understand what it means to lead with empathy and humility.

We also strive to cultivate an appreciation of excellence in every aspect of school life. Whether mastering a new concept, performing on stage, leading a project, or persevering in athletics, our students learn that excellence is a habit built through dedication, effort, and curiosity. Growth is valued as much as achievement, and we celebrate both.

Academically, our curriculum is aligned with the AERO (American Education Reaches Out) standards and is regularly reviewed to ensure it remains rigorous, relevant, and responsive to student needs. In their final years, students pursue the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, engaging in a balanced and challenging program that emphasizes critical thinking, communication, and global understanding.

To support meaningful academic growth, we monitor student progress through quarterly report cards and standardized assessments, including NWEA MAP testing twice a year. These tools help us remain responsive to individual learning needs and ensure we uphold the high academic expectations that define our school.

We are honored to walk this journey with our students and the families who partner with us. Thank you for exploring all that the Upper School at ASM has to offer. We look forward to welcoming you.

Sincerely,
Clara Dunn
Upper School Division Head
The American School of Marrakech

Our secondary school program emphasizes the development of critical thinking skills; the development of trilingual linguistic abilities; and the application of knowledge to new situations, character education, and global awareness. We offer a university preparatory curriculum that challenges students to be responsible and world citizens who think creatively, reason critically, communicate effectively in three languages, are known for their characters, and are lifelong learners.

All students are required to take our core curriculum based on the five major academic areas of English, mathematics, science, social studies and world languages. This core college preparatory curriculum is enhanced by a variety of elective courses. At the High School level, students are academically challenged with our Advanced Placement courses offered in the major academic areas throughout their sophomore to senior years.

Our program offers students a unique educational experience which offers challenging academic courses, character education, and co-curricular opportunities designed to engage and enrich the specific needs, interests, talents, and aspirations of our student population. Our students are challenged, supported, and nurtured by experienced, qualified educators to achieve their full potential as young adults and future global leaders.

To earn an ASM American High School Diploma, starting with the first IBDP cohort, students must earn a total of 27 graduating credits. Full Diploma program students must satisfy all DP requirements as outlined in the IBDP Handbook.  The IB Diploma is awarded by the IBO, not ASM, and therefore students must meet all requirements as stated in the DP Handbook:

The Upper School Advisory Curriculum provides regularly scheduled lessons designed to support students’ learning and development in relation to the following essential skills and attributes to enable students’ progression into adult lives:

• • • • • character education
        • social-emotional skills
        • study skills and how to be an effective learner
        • health and well-being (identity, relationships, health)
        • society and the wider world (risk, equality, responsibility)
        • planning and preparing for the future (change, power, future, college and careers)

Students are assigned to an advisory teacher who leads their group in age-appropriate topics of adolescent exploration and development designed to support their growth as global citizens. Advisory time is also used to bring grade levels together in assemblies, which are often student-led. These assemblies focus on a culminating celebration of learning.