American School of The Hague

American School of The Hague (ASH) is a globally renowned international school for students ages 3 to 18. A leading international school in the Netherlands, we proudly welcome students from over 70 nationalities. We cultivate a student-centered community with a strong emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and math education and a vibrant visual and performing arts program. Our students benefit from hands-on learning experiences and an extensive offering of clubs, activities, and competitive athletic teams. Unique in the Netherlands, we offer both the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and the US College Board Advanced Placement pathway, preparing our students for success in higher education.

ASH Experience

ASH Story

American School of The Hague Hosts, Wins International Robotics Competition
Nineteen innovative teams from across Europe and the Netherlands gathered for the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) Qualifying Tournament, competing for a spot at the Benelux Region Championships. After triumphing in the tournament with a Benelux region record-breaking score, ASH’s team The Flying Dutchman was also given the INSPIRE Award, FTC’s highest recognition for the most well-rounded robot and team.
 
The tournament is part of the 2024-2025 Into The Deep season, where teams are challenged to engage with technical expertise and teamwork skills to create solutions to a unique robotics challenge inspired by the theme of healthy oceans.
 
The Flying Dutchman wins Tournament and INSPIRE Award
 
In advance of the tournament, ASH's teams, The Flying Dutchman and their sister team Trojan Robotics (who also won the INSPIRE Award in December), collaborated with Lithuania's team LITBOT throughout the week, exchanging ideas and refining strategies. Their partnership and camaraderie resulted in an impressive Benelux region high score of 303 points. LITBOT selected The Flying Dutchman for the playoffs, and went on to win each match by over 100 points and winning the tournament.
 
The Flying Dutchman earned the INSPIRE Award, recognizing their exceptional embodiment of the FTC challenge. This award celebrates their journey through the engineering design process, connections to both local and engineering communities, sportsmanship, innovative control systems, and more. Winning the INSPIRE Award and the tournament secured their place in the Benelux Championship, both The Flying Dutchman and Trojan Robotics will compete on a national level in February. The Flying Dutchman's performance has placed them, at the time of writing, 91st on offensive power ranking (OPR) and 57th in autonomous scoring out of more than 7000 teams worldwide.
 
“The week prior to the tournament was great,” shared Robotics Coach Mr. Pratt. “Together with LITBOT, a team from Lithuania participating as part of an Erasmus+ project, they developed their robots, learned from each other, and established a shared strategy.”
 
Exploring STEM With Innovative Partners and Organizations
 
Visitors to the tournament also had the chance to interact with leading companies and organizations in STEM, including TU Delft’s Forze Hydrogen Racing Team, Microsoft Dream Space, and The Hague Tech, who showcased their groundbreaking innovations and missions. Parents and students of all ages gathered to explore and share in the excitement of science and technology, contributing to the day's vibrant energy. Trojan Robotics, The Flying Dutchman's sister team, contributed significantly by demonstrating their robots, sharing programming resources, and assisting with repairs at the Repair Café.
 
What’s Next?
 
Winners of this Qualifying Tournament will advance to the Benelux Regional Championship on February 15. Teams progressing beyond the Championship will have the opportunity to compete at the World’s competition in April or the European Premiere Event in July. Reflecting on this possibility, Mr. Pratt stated, “It would be my expectation for the teams to go through to one of those as well.”
 
As we look ahead to the Benelux Regional Championship and beyond, we are excited to see how these talented teams continue to collaborate and achieve new milestones. Some of the students who are currently on the teams are bound to graduate in the summer, which means their journey is far from over – their story of their success and innovation is only just beginning.
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The Leadership Team Steps Into the Students’ Shoes

To deepen their understanding of student life, the Leadership Team launched an initiative that allowed them to experience school life from a student’s perspective: shadowing students from Grades 1 through 12 for an entire day. The goal? To better understand students' experiences, reflect on the school’s impact, and identify opportunities for growth.

“There’s no better way to understand someone’s reality than by stepping into their shoes,” shared ASH Director Dr. Courtney Lowe. “Since we, along with the teachers, shape the students’ journey, it’s essential to see firsthand how effective we are and where we can improve.”

The concept was simple: each member of the Leadership Team was assigned a student at random and spent the day participating in all their activities—yes, even gym class! The team, which includes principals, assistant principals, and leaders from departments such as Student Services, the Business Office, and Curriculum Development, took this unique opportunity to see the school through the eyes of students, and receive fresh perspectives for  ideas to enhance learning and community life at ASH.

Here are some reflections that were shared:

Creativity in Action

High School Principal Mr. David Munro spent the day with a Grade 4 student, immersing himself in their routines and activities. High School is a time when students define their academic and extracurricular passions, but visiting Grade 4 reminded Mr. Munro of the importance of exploration in earlier years.

He was particularly inspired by the “Genius Hour” initiative—a dedicated time when students explore their passions and present their findings to the class at the end of the semester.

“This made me think about ways we can carve out time in High School for personal projects that meet curricular goals. I see potential for school-wide thematic units that allow students to make connections across subject areas while pursuing what excites them,” reflected Mr. Munro.

A Sense of Belonging

Dr. Courtney Lowe shadowed a Grade 8 student and was particularly struck by the strong friendships among students. “I was amazed by the deep connections I saw,” he shared. “ASH is truly a place where students can find a sense of belonging.”

With over 70 nationalities represented in the ASH community, the school fosters an environment where differences can bring people together. The shared experiences of moving internationally, immersing in new cultures, and building a sense of home help create empathy and understanding. These connections often form the foundation for friendships that transcend borders and last a lifetime. This sense of belonging is further strengthened in Middle School through the Color House Program, where students are divided into three houses—Red, Blue, and Yellow. Across grade levels, students participate in team-building activities and events throughout the year, reinforcing the spirit of camaraderie and their bonds as a community.

Elementary School Principal Dr. Michelle deKam Palmieri had a similar reflection during her visit to High School: “It was inspiring to see how strong relationships with peers and faculty serve as a foundation for the High School experience, helping students navigate the complexities and joys of their day.” In such an important stage of life, these connections not only supports students in their academic ambitions, but also socially, as friendships strengthen their personal growth and help prepare them for the chapter that follows after High School.  

Having seen a glimpse into the daily lives of ASH students, the Leadership Team is equipped with new ideas for enhancing the school’s programs and strengthening its community bonds. This experience is only one of the examples – and many more to come – that help reinforce ASH’s commitment to creating an environment where every student feels understood and supported —a place where learning extends beyond academics to nurture connections and personal growth.

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When Debate Brings People Together: Upper Elementary School Book Bowl
Every year, the Upper Elementary School takes part in a dynamic project led by Sarah Mollenkramer, the Elementary School Librarian and Library Coordinator. Known for many years as the Book Bowl, this initiative inspires upper elementary students to dive deeply into literature, develop communication skills, and explore the journey of collaboration.
 
As students prepare for the debate at the end of February, Ms. Mollenkramer shares the deeper intentions and goals of Book Bowl - to foster literacy through sportsmanship, safe spaces, and daring to step out of their comfort zone.
 
From Trivia to Thoughtful Debate
 
First having started as a trivia-based competition a few years back, Book Bowl today has transformed into a more impactful project where “every kid on the team shares more about the story in meaningful ways,” as Ms. Mollenkramer explains.
 
In the Book Bowl, students work in teams, each member focusing on a unique aspect of their selected book, from characters and themes to the author’s craft. They practice identifying key elements of the story, backing up their claims with evidence; turning the activity into a collaborative exploration of literature.  ”We uncover whatever the book reveals to us,” says Ms. Mollenkramer. “Students uncover symbols, breaking the fourth wall in a scene, what a theme actually is, and how it’s shown throughout the book”.
 
"It's almost gamifying what we already do in book clubs," says Ms Mollenkramer. "It’s about lifting up literacy and promoting shared texts that everyone can discuss and enjoy."
 
Building Skills Beyond the Books
 
The effects of Book Bowl extend far beyond reading comprehension. Students practice language arts skills, from identifying literary themes, to articulating and defending their perspectives. After selecting a diverse range of books with different plot lines, characters and adventures, "Students coach each other in speaking, help find evidence, and support each other in clarifying their points," Ms. Mollenkramer noted. Within the practice of teamwork, empathy and creating a culture of mutual respect is experienced first-hand by the students. Public speaking, a fundamental part of the project yet often daunting for some students, is made somewhat easier with the encouraging and safe environment the students create for themselves.
 
"We teach them what a supportive audience looks like, and they practice presenting in ways that feel safe," Ms. Mollenkramer shared. She recounted how some initially hesitant students gained confidence through the process: "I’ve seen kids who were terrified of speaking find their voice and eventually thrive in front of an audience."
 
The Bigger Picture: Community
 
At its core, the Book Bowl is about nurturing a love for reading and creating a sense of community. High School students, teachers, and administrative staff often participate as judges, which strengthens the connection between different school levels and areas.
 
"Literature is life," she reflected. "It allows us to explore uncomfortable topics, familiar experiences, or simply enjoy a great story. Everyone takes something unique from a book."
 
For Ms. Mollenkramer, sportsmanship is a central value of the Book Bowl. She recalled a memorable moment when two competing teams took time to congratulate each other before the final round. "It’s about the process, not the prize. Everyone gets ice cream at the end, and that’s the fun of it."
 
With its emphasis on thoughtful discussion, teamwork, and fostering a love of literature, the Book Bowl at ASH shows how reading can inspire, connect, and empower young learners. With debate rounds taking place throughout January and February, Book Bowl is always an exciting time to witness how literature brings people together, front row and center.
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