The Awty International School, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, was founded in 1956 as a pre-school. By 1984, Awty had grown into an international school with 375 students. Over the past 15 years, enrollment has increased to 1,120 students making it the second largest international school in the country following the United Nations International School in New York. Awty is now a co-educational, college preparatory day school with students in pre-K through grade 12 representing more than 50 nationalities.

This diverse student body reflects Houston’s role as a leader in the international community. Approximately 60% of the student body is in the International Section, and 40% is in the French Bilingual Section. Awty is dedicated to educating future world citizens in a multi-lingual environment and instilling a strong sense of integrity, tolerance, and international understanding.

The mission of the Awty International School is to promote in its students a system of values based on community service and international understanding. The school offers qualified students an innovative, challenging education and a sound preparation for higher education.

Upon successful completion of this program, students may earn an American high school diploma,the International Baccalaureate diploma, or the French baccalauréat. The school expects students to acquire fluency in at least two languages, an understanding of community and world affairs, and an appreciation of different cultures through both academic and extra-curricular activities.

The School is realizing great success, as our students develop to their full potential in a supportive environment that encourages a sense of global citizenship and respect for others. Awty offers a rigorous, personalized college preparatory education, a singularly international environment, and curricular options recognized throughout the world. Many of our recent graduates have been accepted to some of the most prestigious schools in the world including Harvard, Yale, McGill, Brown, Rice, and the London School of Economics.

Awty also offers families employed by Houston-area multinational companies, an international “home.” Energy companies, in particular, have a vested interest in the growth and success of the School. Over the past few years, energy projects in Chad, Azerbaijan, Oman, Brazil, Bolivia, India, Algeria, Nigeria, Russia, Japan, Venezuela, Norway, and other countries have resulted in energy company employees from these regions being transferred to Houston. Without Awty and its unique educational and cultural environment, the transfers would have been much more difficult, if not impossible.

In particular, the School educates children whose parents are employed by Schlumberger, ExxonMobil, CGG, Total, Shell, Unocal, Halliburton, BP Amoco, Texaco, Vallourec, BHP, Chevron, Coflexip, Conoco, Koch, and other energy companies.

The Awty International School also recruits locally, and 40% of the student body is from the United States. It is important to keep in perspective that the ease with which these students cross cultural and national boundaries creates a rich environment for learning. They are the multi-cultural, multi-lingual work force of tomorrow.

We believe building a “world-class” international school with an ambitious program is crucial to positioning Houston as a truly global trading and technology center.

www.awty.org