AES is a co-educational, government-aided Catholic secondary school. The foundation of AES’s identity is its Montfortian ethos, which dates back to the establishment of the school in 1953 by the Montfort Brothers of St. Gabriel. The school's philosophy is inspired by the life of its founder, St. Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort, and his compassion for the disadvantaged. 

The story of Montfort’s encounter with a sick man in Dinan, whom he carried back to his residence to care for, serves as a powerful reminder for AssumptionKnights to serve the "lost, the last, and the least". This heritage is not just a historical footnote but a living principle that guides the school's approach to character education and service to the community.

The school’s mission is to "educate the whole person in the Montfortian Spirit of Learning, Charity and Love." The school's crest carries the Latin motto "Labor Omnia Vincit," which means "Through Work Achieve Success," signifying the value of diligence and perseverance.