AMERICAN OVERSEAS ME
Table of Contents
Message from Head of School
Message from Board Chair
Faculty Profile
Professional Development
Student Demographics
External Assessments
Elementary School
Middle School
High School & Universities
PTO
Finances
Message from the Head of School
The 2024/25 school year at the American Overseas Sch of hard work, joyful celebration, and truly remarkable a year of growth, innovation, and community spirit an our story with you.
In these pages, you will find highlights from a year fille milestones. We celebrated the grand openings of our and Robotics Center, both of which have already beco and learning. Our enrollment reached near-record lev and reputation of our school.
Our students achieved outstanding results on IB and A acceptances into some of the world's most prestigious University of Cambridge and West Point Military Acad
We expanded our co-curricular programs to include Honor Band and Varsity Swimming, providing even more opportunities for students to thrive beyond the classroom. We also raised over €10,000 during our third annual Play4Kay cancer research fundraiser, exemplifying the generosity and heart of our community.
At the core of all this success is a commitment to excellence in education from Pre-K through Grade 12, powered by an exceptional faculty that continues to engage in meaningful professional development to ensure the highest-quality, research-based teaching and learning.
None of this would be possible without the collective efforts of our entire community. From our Board of Trustees, to our PTO volunteers, to our tireless and talented faculty and staff your contributions shape the experiences of our students every day.
Dr.KristenDiMatteo HeadofSchool
Message from the Board Chair
It is with great pride and deep gratitude that I introduce the 2024/25 Annual Report of the American Overseas School of Rome. This past year has been one of growth, achievement, and renewed commitment to the mission that unites us: providing an outstanding education that prepares our students to thrive in an ever-changing world. Among the most visible milestones of the year was the long-awaited opening of our new athletic fields. This transformation of our campus has not only enriched the daily life of our students but has also expanded the ways in which we gather as a community. Academically, our students have once again excelled at the highest levels. Whether through remarkable results on International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement exams, university acceptances across the globe, or the intellectual curiosity displayed in classrooms every day.
Board Chair Message (Continued)
Equally important, 2024/25 has been a year in which our unparalleled sense of community has shone brightly. Parents, alumni, and friends of the school have given generously of their time and talents, supporting events, initiatives, and traditions that knit us together as one. As we reflect on the past year, we do so with gratitude for the trust you place in us and with optimism for the future. The progress we have made would not be possible without the collaboration of trustees, administrators, faculty, parents, and students working together toward a shared vision.
-Ms.BelindaKnudson BoardChair
Faculty Profile & Professional Development
Our Team
138TotalStaff
94 Teachers. 63 U.S. Citizens, 16 Hostcountry nationals, 15 Third-country nationals.
Qualifications
All faculty hold teaching credentials. Hiring preference is given to candidates holding a master's degree. Faculty have taught in over 50 countries.
PD Highlights
• Elementary Phonics & Grammar Program
• ELMLE Leadership Retreat Hosting
• IB World Conference (Dublin)
• Master's in Ed. Leadership at AOSR
Student Profile
External Assessments (IB)
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) at AOSR is a testament to our dedication to academic excellence. We are immensely proud of our graduating class of 2025.
• 37Students in Year 1 Programme (Record number)
• New Courses: Business Management, Env. Systems & Societies (HL)
32.4
Average Score (Global Avg: 30.5)
100%
Pass Rate (Global Avg: 81.3%)
Elementary School Highlights
Personalized Learning
From PreK to Grade 5, we nurture curiosity through play and exploration. This year included trips to the Nutcracker, Gladiator School, and Bioparco.
Overnight Trips
• Grade 3: Paestum
• Grade 4: Umbria Marmore Falls
• Grade 5: Pompeii & Herculaneum Building independence and teamwork.
Inquiry Projects
Grade 5 explored UN Sustainable Goals, researching topics like Plastic Pollution, Climate Change, and Sustainable Architecture.
Middle School: Space & Connections
A Space of Our Own
The 2024-2025 school year marked the opening of the MiddleSchoolCommons! Light, and open spaces have given us a special place for learning and collaboration.
Connections
The "Everybody Reads" program featured EscapefromMr.Lemoncello'sLibrary. Students a shined in the Shakespeare Festival performed in AOSR's unique Hillside Theater.
High School Overview
Growth & Excellence
Enrollment grew to 256 students. A record 31% of the class of 2025 earned the Diploma. 123 students took 286 AP exams with an 85% pass rate (significantly above global average).
Curriculum Expansion
Planning to add IB Business Management, HL Environmental Systems, and A Human Geography for Grade 9.
University Acceptances
The AOSR Counseling Department guides high school students and their parents in planning for life after AOSR. We work closely with families to identify aims, aspirations, lifestyle requirements, and preferences, and to correlate these with universities and other forms of higher education which match the student’s needs. We look for opportunities that enable each student to thrive; finding the “right fit” is our top priority.
AOSR held the PSAT for all Grade 9-11 students in October. We held the SAT seven times and the ACT twice on campus; we also held two SAT prep classes (one on campus and one virtually). Each week, the college counseling newsletter was sent to families in Grades 9-12. The newsletter includes information on inperson and virtual events, links to topical articles and recorded sessions, summer programs, competitions (including a University of Waterloo math competitions that we held for the second time), gap year ideas, opportunities to explore different careers, and specific options organized by continent. Readership held steady at 10-13% depending on the week.
We held a session in September for Grade 12 families to explain the application process, and a session in January for Grade 11 families to explain different university systems On June 19 we held a Career Day for Grades 9-11, with community members spending the day with us to offer individual workshops and sit on subject-specific panels. Throughout the year 31 universities visited our campus during lunch; we had another 40 universities from all over the world on our campus during a fair in September. Our university counselor visited Hult International Business School (London), St John’s University (US), nine universities in the Netherlands as part of the Dutch University Consortium, University of Navarra (Spain), Stockholm School of Economics (Sweden), and nine Czechian universities; she also attended the Italian Counseling Group Conference in Bologna (spring), the Council of International Schools (CIS) Conference in Basel Switzerland, the SRT Conference (virtual), and the IACAC Conference in Prague.
Key Acceptances
University of Cambridge
West Point Military Academy
Prestigious Global Universities
Plans for the Class of 2025 include a gap year (3) and university (55) Those applying to university sent out over 750 applications to 12 different countries. The most popular countries to apply to were the United States (593), the United Kingdom (86), Canada (39) and Italy (22). The most popular universities students applied to were King’s College London (8), University College London (8), Columbia (6), University of Edinburgh (6), Fordham University (6), University of Arts London (6), and University of Michigan (6).As of this printing the universitybound students earned 575 offers from 165 different universities in ten countries, many through Concourse, a free university matching program. Overall, the countries with the largest number of acceptances were the United States (443), the United Kingdom (45), Canada (36), Switzerland (19), and Italy (12).
The most acceptances came from Wartburg College (19), University of Mount Union (16), California Lutheran University (15), Franklin University Switzerland (13), High Point University (12), Northwest Missouri State University (12), The New School (12), York College of Pennsylvania (12), and Whittier College (12) Other notable acceptances include the University of Cambridge, University of Toronto, University of Melbourne, Hong Kong University, Bocconi University, McGill University, United States Military Academy (West Point), New York
University, King’s College London, University of St. Andrew’s, Smith College, and University of the Arts London.
Our graduates this year have also been awarded 301 different scholarships, totaling over $30.6 million.
Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)
Community Spirit
As we reflect on the 2024/25 school year, we are filled with pride and gratitude for the many ways the AOSR Parent Teacher Organization has supported and celebrated our vibrant community. This year has been marked by memorable events, meaningful connections, and a shared commitment to enriching the experience of every student.
Our signature events - Oktoberfest, Winterfest, and Mayfair - were once again extraordinary celebrations of AOSR spirit. Each brought together families, faculty, and friends in joyful traditions that not only raised essential funds for our school but also strengthened the bonds that make our community unique. We also had the pleasure of welcoming new families through our luncheons, ensuring that those arriving in Rome quickly felt at home within the AOSR family.
Beyond these gatherings, the PTO has been proud to support student life across all divisions. From elementary activities to middle school clubs and high school events, our volunteers and resources have helped create opportunities for students to learn, grow, and lead outside the classroom.
We are deeply grateful to the many parents who shared their time, energy, and talents this year.
Together, we continue to make AOSR not only a school, but a true community.
You
To all our volunteers who enrich the experience of every student.
Thank
Athletics / ASA
During the 2024-2025 season at American Overseas School of Rome, our athletics program delivered strong outcomes across all levels. From the Elementary School’s mini-basketball and running club initiatives, to the Middle School’s cross-country and volleyball teams, students embraced sportsmanship, teamwork and personal growth as integral parts of their daily experience. Alongside this, our High School Varsity and Junior Varsity teams trained steadily in strength and conditioning and maintained competitive readiness across the fall, winter and spring seasons.
A standout highlight this year was our Varsity Girls Basketball team, winning the DODEA EURO’s Championship. The team demonstrated exceptional dedication, both in practice and during key matchups. They achieved several important wins, showing their growth in defensive discipline, effective teamwork and consistent scoring in the fourth quarter. Their progress exemplified the “Excellence for every student, every day” ethos that anchors our school. Their journey inspired younger athletes across the program and reinforced our core message that every student has the potential to excel.
Looking ahead, we will build on these achievements by expanding our facility resources, refining our coaching feedback loops and enhancing athlete support services. We will continue to foster an environment where every student-athlete feels challenged, supported and valued. Our commitment remains firm: to offer a truly international athletics experience that complements our academic program and nurtures holistic development.
Finances: Assets & Liabilities
