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Our Vision, Mission, and Values

Our Vision

A community fostering respect, leadership, and empathy through interculturalism and the joy of learning

Our Mission

Through a rigorous, trilingual program, we fuel inquiry and inspire each other to develop critical thinking skills in a community where curiosity is valued, adventurousness is encouraged, and diversity is honored.

Our Core Values

Our community encourages and values:

Adaptability

We consider different perspectives and approaches to the challenges we confront.

Autonomy

We learn to work and explore independently while developing our strengths and recognizing areas for growth.

Creativity

We take creative risks that help us learn and grow, both as individuals and in teams.

Inclusiveness

We demonstrate how each member of our community is valued by actively welcoming, building up, and advancing a diverse mix of individuals.

Kindness

We are friendly, generous, and considerate with one another, always striving to do the right thing, even when it is difficult.

Responsibility

We show respect and care for our global and local societies, as well as for our shared environment.

Our Story

Our close-knit and diverse community of students, staff, and parents is a microcosm of Austin, representing 60+ countries and speaking 20+ languages. 

A group of local business leaders founded the school in 2001 to provide a high quality international education that meets the demands of an increasingly diverse and interconnected world. Originally the Lycée Français d’Austin (French School of Austin), the school was renamed Austin International School in 2004 to better reflect our mission. After a successful decade, the school purchased a permanent property at 4001 Adelphi Lane in 2011, and after fifteen years working to refine our elementary school's unique Seamless Curriculum, AIS launched its middle school program in August 2017, becoming an MYP IB candidate school in 2023.

Heads of School

2023 to Present: Ariane Baer-Harper
2016 to 2023: Jacques A. Weber         
2010 to 2016: Christophe Bonnet         
2004 to 2010: Eric Thuau         
2003 to 2004: Jean-Serge Roy         
2001 to 2003: Jeanne Jeannin