Welcome from the Head
"Welcome to the American School in London, where we offer a singular opportunity to students—the challenge of high expectations, the support of a caring and inclusive community, and the excitement of engaging learning experiences, delivered by a first-rate faculty in one of the great cultural centers in the world.
"I am delighted to have rejoined the ASL community, one that I love and appreciate so deeply. The roots of our history as a school are solid, and the joy and excitement of being a part of the ASL community a privilege. My priority here is to make sure that we recognize and relish the community spirit that has always characterized the School and to face our challenges with optimism and determination.
"As interim head of school, a key aspect of my role is to guide ASL through the leadership transition, and position the School for success in readiness for our next head to take the reins in summer 2023. In the meantime, rest assured that I am grasping every opportunity to learn about the experiences of parents, faculty and staff, and students.
"At ASL, we have a steadfast commitment to our mission and core values and to the pedagogy we believe in. We are dedicated to being a school that knows, values, and supports each student in our care, and our mission and core values will continue to be our north star.
"London thrives, and our students are taking full advantage of this wonderful city as a classroom, participating actively in its vibrant historical, artistic, and cultural venues. It is our pleasure to introduce our students to the background and experiences that will create the international citizens of tomorrow.
"Welcome to our school!"
Coreen R. Hester P ’02 ’04
Interim Head of School, 2022-23
Head of School, 2007-17
Coreen Hester returned to ASL as interim head of school in March 2022. Previously, Coreen was our seventh head of school, from 2007 until 2017, and served as high school principal from 1995 to 1997.
During her time as head of school at ASL, Coreen successfully led ASL through strategic initiatives in curriculum, service learning, STEM and cultural competency; identified the School’s core values and defined ASL’s Portrait of a Learner; grew financial aid and expanded the endowment; and completed New Frontiers, the School’s most ambitious capital campaign to date. Learn more about Coreen and her time at ASL.
As an educator, Coreen has served for more than 40 years in US and UK international K-12 schools, as a teacher, academic dean and head of school. She spent a decade at The Branson School in Northern California as a teacher, academic dean, and eventually interim head of school. She also served as head of school at The Hamlin School in San Francisco, also for 10 years. She has served on more than 10 boards, including French American and International High School and School Year Abroad as well as the Academy of International School Heads. She co-founded the Bay Area Teacher Development Collaborative in the San Francisco Bay Area and the Learning Institute at ASL. Coreen has also spent two stints as an executive recruiter for independent schools, both in the US and internationally.
Coreen has two grown children, Tyler ’02 and Molly ’04, who reside in the US. She has a degree in English literature and a master’s degree in education from Stanford University and completed additional graduate work at UC Berkeley and Bread Loaf Graduate School of English.