American elementary and secondary community schools abroad seek to both provide schooling for children of Americans abroad and strengthen cross-cultural understanding. More than three-fourths of these schools were founded since 1950. They are privately controlled and supported from tuition fees supplemented by grants-in-aid from the Office of Overseas Schools of the Department of State and by support from business firms, foundations, and local governments. They provide opportunities for American students and teachers to participate in language and areas studies programs and to associate with students and teachers from many countries. Non-American students and teachers in the schools have the opportunity to become acquainted with Americans and American educational philosophy. School systems and other groups in the United States have an opportunity to share resources with overseas schools and use overseas schools as resources for international educational programs. The Office of Overseas Schools of the Department of State, the Association for the Advancement of International Education, the American Association of School Administrators, and other organizations and individuals in the American educational community seek to assist the American elementary and secondary community schools abroad in meeting their dual purpose. (Author/JM)