Santa Cruz Cooperative School
Web: www.sccs.edu.bo
2008-2009
The Santa Cruz Cooperative School is a private, coeducational day school which offers an educational program from prekindergarten through grade 12 for students of all nationalities. The School was founded in 1959 and officially formed into a cooperative of parents in 1971. The school year comprises 2 semesters extending from the beginning of August to mid-December and from mid-January to the beginning of June.
Organization: The School is governed by a 10-member Board of Directors elected for 2-year terms by the members of the Cooperative, who are the sponsors of the School. Upon payment of the required capital levy fee, membership in the Cooperative is conferred on the parents or guardians of children enrolled in the School. The School is not incorporated in the United States nor is it tax-exempt in Bolivia.
Curriculum: The curriculum is that of a U.S. college-preparatory program which represents the basic emphasis of the School, although additional courses are available for students who wish to meet the requirements of the Bolivian Bachillerato. Spanish is required for all students in grades 3-12. Prekindergarten students may be enrolled without having a command of the English language; however, all grades are taught in English and require grade-level proficiency in English. Advanced Placement courses are offered that include: biology, calculus, Spanish, chemistry, physics, comparative government, psychology, world history, U.S. history, art and English. Electives are offered in band, art, choir, yearbook, leadership and Senior Independent Project. This latter program enables students to work off campus with professionals during the month of May. The School also has a Department of Special Education.
Faculty: In the 2008-2009 school year, there are 48 full-time faculty members, including 32 U.S. citizens, 11 host-country nationals, and 5 third-country nationals.
Enrollment: At the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year, enrollment was 544 (296 Elementary, 115 Middle and 133 High School). Of the total, 62 are U.S. citizens, and 9 are dependents of the U.S. direct hire employees.
Facilities: The School is situated on a 7-acre landscaped site with a large campus. The physical plant consists of an elementary school, a secondary school, 3 covered patio areas, a modern “state of the art” library, 4 computer laboratories, one equipped with a smart board. The school has an outstanding cafeteria service and a permanent medical doctor facility on campus for emergencies.
Finances: In the 2008-2009 school year, about 99% of the School's income derives from tuition. Annual tuition rates are as follows: PK: $1,786; Kdg.: $2,720; grades 1-6: $2,951; and grades 7-12: $3,312. In addition, there is a one-time non-refundable capital levy fee of $6,000 charged to each new family. Additional fees are: an entrance exam fee of $50, a yearbook fee of $30, annual student health insurance of $30, a technology fee of $100 and an optional transportation fee of $45 per month. Fees are payable in U.S. dollars. (All fees are quoted in U.S. dollars.)
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