The Awty School, founded as a Preschool in 1956 by Mrs. Kathleen Awty, grew in size and enrollment until 1975 when an Upper School was added.

The French School of Houston joined with the Awty School in 1978 and together, with special thanks for support from the Mission Laïque Française (a French non-profit association), they moved to the School's current site.The School was renamed The Awty International School in March of 1984.

Accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (I.S.A.S.) and the Council of International Schools (C.I.S.), as well as by the French Ministry of Education, The Awty International School is unique among Houston's private schools.

Like many of them, it is a private, co-educational, college-preparatory day school offering programs from Preschool through 12th Grade. However, its multi-national student body and strong language programs provide a multi-cultural experience not available elsewhere.

The School has two sections - French & International. In addition there are second language options, English/French, English/Spanish or English/Dutch, from pre-kindergarten to the fifth grade. The French Section follows closely the curriculum laid down by the French Ministry of Education for French schools abroad, and is annually inspected by officials from the Ministry of Education in Paris. The official French curriculum followed at the Awty International School is that followed at all accredited French schools throughout the world.

Students in the French Section prepare for the French Baccalauréat. This diploma is awarded to students based upon their results in examinations at the end of Première (11th grade) and Terminale (12th grade). Teachers in the French Section at A.I.S. are either certified by the Ministry and approved by the Agency, or have had experience teaching in French schools overseas.

They are often supplied by the Mission Laïque Française. The International Section curriculum is to large extent American through the 10th Grade, and is based on good practice at American international schools both in the U.S. and abroad.

At all levels there is a strong emphasis on the study of a second language to fluency. The curriculum in the humanities makes use of themes, approaches and materials, which reflect the diversity of nationalities and cultures of our students.

All International Section students in the 11th and 12th Grade levels follow the curriculum of the I.B. proper and prepare for the I.B. Diploma by sitting for the examinations at the end of 12th Grade. Though at most levels the Sections have their own programs, there are many bridges between them.

All children in the Early Childhood Division (PK3-K/Petite Section Maternelle-Grande Section) follow a bilingual program with approximately 50% of their time being spent in English, the other 50% in either French or Spanish. Children in the Lower School (Grades 1-5/CP-CM2) spend a great deal of time in their primary language, but with a heavy dose of their second language. Now, students in grades 3- 12 can also choose Dutch as their second language. Secondary students (Grades 6-12/6ème-Tle) from both Sections may take third language courses (Arabic, German, Dutch, Italian or Spanish), with slight variations between Sections.