Rabat American School was founded in 1962 for the purpose of providing elementary education, Grades 1 to 6, for the children of families attached to the American Embassy in Rabat. RAS opened originally in a large house, then 2 houses in the “Hassan” neighborhood near the Embassy. RAS began operation in 1962 with an enrollment of 58 students. As the enrollment increased, the program was expanded to include classes in Kindergarten through Grade 8.

The late US Ambassador to Morocco, Henry J. Tasca, assumed responsibility for RAS’s future, engaging the invaluable support of His Majesty the late King Hassan II and the Moroccan authorities, and spearheaded the expansion to a new location – the Agdal Campus.

The Rabat American School initially occupied a picturesque site in the Agdal neighborhood, generously provided by the Government of Morocco under a 50-year lease agreement for a nominal fee of 1 dirham per year. Established with U.S. Government funding, the school featured an auditorium, two classroom wings, a kindergarten, administrative offices, and a library. Starting with 141 students from 13 nations in the school year 1968-1969, the student body expanded over the years to include a diverse mix of Moroccan and international students alongside the American community.

By 1974, enrollment had grown to over 170 students, prompting the addition of ninth grade. In 1978, with substantial support from the late His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Abdellah Alaoui and his family, grades 10 through 12 were introduced. The school celebrated its first graduating class of six students in 1979, marking the transformation from a K-8 school serving the U.S. diplomatic mission to a prestigious Pre-K through 12 international institution. In 2012, during the school’s 50th anniversary celebration, the community gathered to honor its rich history in Rabat and to contemplate the decision to relocate. Under the guidance of SA Lalla Zineb Bint Abdellah Alaoui, the Board of Trustees, and school leadership, the school acquired new land and embarked on plans for construction and relocation.

In 2015, the Rabat American School Association acquired a prime waterfront property along the Rabat corniche, slated to serve as RAS’s future campus. On Thursday, December 20th, 2018, the Rabat American School hosted the closing ceremony of its cherished Agdal campus. Students, parents, faculty, staff, and alumni gathered in the gymnasium for a poignant farewell, marking the occasion with the solemn lowering of the RAS ‘Home of the Lions’ banner.” Over the years, Rabat American School has garnered numerous accreditations, including from the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (from 1985) and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (from 1992), while witnessing a surge in enrollment to 490 students from over 55 nationalities. The strong sense of community remains a hallmark of the school’s legacy.

January 2019 marked a significant milestone in RAS’s journey! We relocated to a stunning new campus along the Rabat corniche, boasting state-of-the-art facilities with a view of the Atlantic Ocean. Spanning nine impressive buildings, our campus features modern classrooms for elementary and secondary education, equipped with centralized heating and air conditioning. Additional amenities include specialized spaces such as science labs, a STEAM Lab, Visual Arts classrooms, band practice rooms, an audio/visual lab, and a performing arts center complete with a 300-seat auditorium. Our campus also houses essential community spaces including a learning commons (library), cafeteria, gymnasium, and a 25-meter indoor pool. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy our basketball courts, soccer field, and track.

These facilities provide abundant opportunities for learning both in and out of the classroom. At RAS, we cherish our diverse community and foster strong connections among the American, International, and Moroccan communities. We offer a rigorous college preparatory education in a nurturing, family-like environment that supports the holistic development of every child.