The American International School of Lusaka (AISL) was established in 1986 through an exchange of diplomatic notes between the American Embassy of Zambia and the Zambian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. At this time the school was known as the American Embassy School. A group of predominantly American parents had approached the US Embassy to register their concern about the level of education available in Lusaka. Many Embassies and Church missions were telling families with school aged children not to bid or come to Lusaka for this reason.

The school began in September 1986 in a converted house in the Roma section of Lusaka with approximately 40 students. It was run by Mr Bernard Holler who served as both a teacher of the upper grades and the first school Director. His wife, Marjorie taught the 3rd and 4th grades. The school had no Reception or 8th grade for the first year, and all other grades were combined. Before the year was finished, the student body had grown to 110 with a long waiting list. By the second year of operation, the student body was up to 120 students which was close to capacity, given the facilities available. Each class had its own room and teacher, the reception and Grade 8 classes were added, and there was a new library. The school acquired the property next door as a residence for the new overseas hired teachers. The school received its first accreditation with the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools in the United States.

By the end of the third year of operation (1989) it became apparent that the Roma campus would not suffice for the long term, and a committee was tasked with finding land for a site on which a school could be built that would be more adequate for meeting its needs. By the end of the year, 15 acres on the Leopards Hill Road was purchased. A new Director Mr John Ritter and his wife Susan arrived in July 1990. The enrollment settled around 140 which was the capacity of the buildings on the Roma site.

Construction of the new school started in early 1992. Finally in February 1994 the school moved to its present location on Leopards Hill Road. The school continued to grow over the next few years and the waiting list evaporated. In 1995 the School Board of Directors made the decision to expand the school from US Grade 8 to 10, and to implement the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program.

A new Director, Mr Walter Plotkin joined the school in August 1999. The school at that time had 220 students. Over the next 2 years, the school grew to 250. It was also decided to extend the schools program to include the International Baccalaureate Diploma to start in August 2002. This would lead to an increase in the size of the school and the school needed to start building again to accommodate the extra classes.

In March 2002, 11 acres of land adjacent to the campus were purchased and over the following year 8 new classrooms, a sports field and parking facilities were built. Enrollment rose to 350, prompting a decision to build further classrooms which were completed in August 2004.

Dr Irene Epp joined the school from August 2004 to 2006. During her time at the school a loan of US$4.2 million was negotiated. A proportion of the money was used to build more classrooms, purchase houses for teachers and purchase 20 acres of land adjacent to the school for further development. Dr Thomas Walters joined the school as an interim Director from August 2006 to June 2007 and in August 2007, Mr Chris Muller joined the school as the Director. In its 21st year of operation, the school had 485 students on adjacent primary and secondary campuses. There are now two classes for each grade and waiting lists in many grades.

In July 2007 the school started to build an Early Learning Center for students from 2 to 5 years old. This was built on the site of the Directors house and was completed in February 2008. The existing Pre School classroom was then renovated and re-designed into a 400 seat Performing Arts Center, complete with stage and full lighting system. The library was also expanded and now includes an additional computer laboratory.

In January 2008 building started on a large new gymnasium. This was completed for the beginning of the 2010/11 school year and contains a weight room, dance floor and basketball court, along with changing rooms and toilets. A new 8 lane, 25 meter swimming pool was also built adjacent to the gymnasium.

The school is now at capacity enrolment of around 510 students. There are further plans for expansion, with the building of new science blocks in the Secondary campus. Construction is due to start during the course of the 2010/11 school year.