Berlin, Paris, even Prague are truly beautiful cities, but there you are just one of a million foreigners. Warsaw is different – foreigners get special care here.
American School of Warsaw has a nick name – “Gucci School”. Where does it come from?
Tony Gerlicz, Director of American School of Warsaw (ASW): Oh, yes. I’ve heard about it. But, before I answer your question, please let me ask you something. What do you think of when you hear “Gucci School”?
I think of an extremely expensive, snobbish school attended by children of celebrities, businessmen and diplomats, who carry their textbooks in Gucci or Louis Vuitton handbags. 
When our interview is finished, we’ll have a walk at the school and you’ll see that our students dress quite modestly and they do not carry Gucci’s bags. Although they come from an affluent families, they know how the real world looks like. ASW has a program called service learning, established to integrate students with the local community through cooperation with various institutions such as Special Needs School in Konstancin, Warsaw University School of Education, Warsaw Botanical Gardens, Museum of History of Polish Jews, Refugee Center in Linin and many others. Our students learn how to be responsible towards their community, how to understand and serve those who are less fortunate that others, they get to know organic farming. Polish teachers come to ASW to study our methodology and apply them at their schools. They are impressed with one major thing – our students love to learn.
I cannot deny one thing – it’s expensive to attend ASW, as annual fee exceeds 15000 USD. Thanks to these resources we can afford computer classrooms, chemical laboratories, music studio, theatre hall, swimming pool and playgrounds, and there are 18 students in the classroom on average. In terms of fees ASW is similar
to other international private schools.
How many students do you have?
910. They are divided into 14 levels, starting with Pre-Kindergarten, and comparable to Polish elementary school, gymnasium and high school. Overall school capacity is 950 students and we are almost there. 70 percent of our students are international. Beside Polish students, we have Americans, Koreans, Dutch, Swedes, Britons and representatives from over 50 countries. All our students in grades 11 and 12 participate in the International Baccalaureate program that enables them to apply to universities around the world. Our alumni are accepted to Oxford, Cambridge, Stanford, Columbia University and many more.
How to apply to ASW?
Each year we have 20 percent turnover, which is typical in international schools as the students leave because they are graduating or their families transfer to another school .We accept around 150-200 newcomers. The Application process lasts several months and parents who would like their children to attend ASW in the new school year have been contacting us since January.
Do you think that your students’ parents like Warsaw?
They love it! They are often deeply surprised when they arrive, as many foreigners do not know much about Poland. They know Polish capital city was destroyed in the II World War. They fear the country is grey and cold, and the Polish menu consists mainly of potatoes and cabbage. They’re startled when discover that Poland is very friendly and opened. Many foreigners prefer Warsaw to Berlin or Paris.
Why is that?
These cities are beautiful, but one feels as one out of million foreigners living there. No one pays special attention to them. And Warsaw is different. There is always someone eager to help. Many people I know want to stay in Warsaw for good.
And what shall we improve for the life to be more comfortable?
Hm, I think infrastructure requires some investment, particularly the roads. But overall, Poland is really a nice place to live.
www.aswarsaw.org
more about Warsaw
Warsaw in pictures:
- Warsaw - modern architecture, historical sites, parks
- UNESCO list - Historic Centre of Warsaw
- Wilanow Palace
- Palace of Culture and Science
- Żelazowa Wola
- Chopin Museum
- Copernicus Science Centre
