Breadcrumbs

Welcome from the Head

Welcome to the American School in London! I am honored to serve as the new head of school, and I aspire to settle into my new role with humility, curiosity and commitment. 

I have known about ASL for years, but my in-depth knowledge of the School began to build in fall 2022 during the search for the head of school. At every step of this process, I discovered the school’s strengths and unique opportunities, ones that were especially evident when I met with students. Prepared and curious, they asked excellent questions and did so with earnestness and interest. They made clear how we are living our mission to empower learners by “fostering intellect, creativity, inclusivity and character.” 

My early days are providing extensive opportunities to begin building relationships, to observe and learn, and to discover the uniquenesses of ASL. For example, lower school playground culture already fascinates me, given its intentional student roles: some serve as mediators when they are needed and others head to the “friendship bench,” when individuals have settled there in need of a friend. Imagine if friendship benches were far more widespread in our complex world! 

Given that complexity and the global nature of our world, there couldn’t be a more fitting time for our school, one deeply committed to building “courageous global citizens.” Yet making that bold statement into a lived experience comes from everyday acts and daily efforts, ones that our core values encompass, whether focused on acting with integrity and making good decisions, “even when nobody is watching,” or valuing diversity of thought and experience, and acting with courage, compassion and responsibility. 

Finally, a product of the greater Philadelphia area, I have long been a loyal and steadfast Eagles fan, yet now that commitment extends in new ways to every ASL Eagle in our community. 

Warmly, 

Matt Horvat
Head of School

Matt Horvat is ASL’s ninth head of school, and began his tenure on 1 July 2023. Prior to joining our school, Matt served for 11 years as head at The Overlake School in Redmond, Washington, a grade 5-12 independent school. 

Prior to his time at Overlake, Matt served in administrative positions at the Collegiate School and Browning School in New York City, before taking on the role of high school principal at University of Chicago Laboratory School. Additionally, Matt has significant teaching experience in mathematics and information technology at independent schools, both nationally and internationally, including Taipei American School. His professional associations include board service for the National Merit Scholarship Corporation and the Northwest Association of Independent Schools.

Matt earned an undergraduate degree in history from the University of Pennsylvania, followed by a master’s in mathematics and teaching from Boston University. He has also completed significant coursework in nonprofit management at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.