About Us
Building Community By Understanding Every Individual's Unique Value
When children are seen, understood, and genuinely valued for who they are, something profound happens. They develop a deep sense of pride in themselves and appreciation for others. They learn to move through the world with open minds, respectful hearts, and the courage to stand up for what is right.
At American World School, we believe that diversity is not something we tolerate — it is something we celebrate. Equity is not a policy we adopt — it is a commitment we live. Inclusion is not a box we check — it is a culture we build every single day.
Our community includes students, families, and educators from 20+ countries, representing a rich tapestry of cultures, languages, beliefs, identities, and experiences. This diversity is one of our greatest strengths — and one of our most important responsibilities.
When every student feels they truly belong, academic growth flourishes. Creativity thrives. Entrepreneurial thinking expands. Students develop the empathy, perspective-taking, and global awareness that our interconnected world demands.
This is not work we do on the margins. It is central to who we are.
Our Commitment: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice
At AWS, our DEIJ work is spearheaded by our dedicated Director of Belonging and Social Impact, working in close collaboration with our school-wide DEIJ Committee — a group of students, parents, faculty, and administrators committed to making AWS a place where every person feels genuinely seen, heard, and valued.
We celebrate and honor the full range of human identities, cultures, perspectives, and experiences within our community.
We ensure that every student has access to the resources, support, and opportunities they need to thrive — recognizing that fairness does not always mean sameness.
We actively create spaces where every person feels welcomed, respected, and empowered to participate fully in our community.
We educate ourselves and our students to recognize and challenge bias, prejudice, and systemic inequity — and to take action when we encounter it.
We Stand Together: The AWS Community Commitment to DEIJ
As a community of students, parents and guardians, families, faculty, administration, staff, board members, and alumni, we commit ourselves to fostering a culture of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion that embodies anti-bias action and accountability.
We commit to living the AWS values — honesty, kindness, respect, courage, and responsibility — and doing the work necessary to maintain an inclusive, diverse, and welcoming environment for all.
We will continue to question and challenge our own biases and privileges, and use our experiences to empower and uplift our community.
Where Students Are Seen, Heard, and Valued
At AWS, we don't just talk about the student voice — we build it into the fabric of our school. Our commitment to learner autonomy and strong student agency ensures that every student's voice is genuinely heard, not just invited. Students at AWS do not simply attend school. They shape it.
Through Student Government, student-led clubs, community councils, entrepreneurship projects, and daily classroom experiences, AWS students learn that their perspectives matter, their ideas have power, and their presence makes a difference.
This is what belonging looks like in practice:
When students feel they belong, they take risks. They ask questions. They contribute. They lead. They become the confident, empathetic, entrepreneurial young people we are committed to developing.
Building Our DEIJ Mindset and Skills — As a Community
Our DEIJ work is not top-down. It is not a programme that the school "does to" students. It is a whole-community commitment to fostering a culture that is free of prejudice, stereotyping, and bias — both on campus and beyond.
Student-led spaces where students with shared identities or interests can connect, find support, and organise community education and advocacy.
A representative body of students across grade levels who advise school leadership on DEIJ issues, plan awareness campaigns, and lead peer education.
Student-organised events celebrating Diwali, Lunar New Year, Ramadan, Holi, Christmas, and cultural traditions from across the AWS community.
All AWS educators engage in regular training on anti-bias education, culturally responsive teaching, and creating inclusive classrooms.
Faculty work collaboratively to ensure that the stories, voices, and perspectives in our curriculum reflect global diversity — not a single dominant narrative.
Educators participate in both mixed and affinity-based learning groups to support their own growth and hold each other accountable.
Regular sessions for families on topics like raising anti-racist children, supporting LGBTQ+ students, understanding privilege, and having difficult conversations at home.
Curated articles, books, films, and conversation guides shared with families to support ongoing learning beyond school.
Families are invited to share their cultural traditions, stories, and expertise with students — enriching the community's collective understanding.
An annual celebration of the cultural diversity within our community, with student-led presentations, performances, food, and storytelling from 20+ countries.
A commitment across all grade levels to ensure students encounter authors, characters, and stories that reflect a wide range of identities and experiences.
Integration of diverse artistic traditions into our Visual and Performing Arts programmes, broadening students' creative and cultural literacy.
Student-designed projects addressing real equity and justice issues in Chennai, India, and globally — connecting learning to meaningful action.
What our students and parents say about belonging at AWS
At my old school, I felt like I had to hide parts of who I was to fit in. At AWS, I don't. I can be myself — all of myself — and people actually celebrate that.
We don't just learn about diversity in a textbook. We live it every day. My best friends are from different countries, and that's just normal here. I think that's made me a better person.
When something happens in the world — like a natural disaster or an injustice — we talk about it at AWS. We don't pretend it didn't happen. That's made me feel like my questions and my feelings actually matter.
As a family that relocated to Chennai from Singapore, we were concerned about finding a school that truly values diversity. AWS exceeded our expectations. Our children are surrounded by peers from every corner of the world, and the respect for different cultures is genuine — not performative.
The DEIJ workshops for parents have been eye-opening. I've learned how to talk to my children about privilege, identity, and fairness in ways I never knew how to before. AWS doesn't just educate children — they support families in this work too.
My daughter came home one day and told me about a conversation her class had about gender stereotypes. She said her teacher made space for everyone to share their thoughts, even when they disagreed. That kind of environment — where students can think critically and respectfully — is exactly what we hoped for.
This Work Is Never "Done"
DEIJ work is not a destination. It is a continuous journey.
We do not claim to be perfect. We acknowledge that we make mistakes, that we have more to learn, and that creating a truly inclusive community requires ongoing effort, humility, and accountability.
But we are committed — genuinely, deeply committed — to doing this work.
Discover what makes American World School a place where every person is seen, valued, and empowered.