Academia Cotopaxi
Web: www.cotopaxi.k12.ec
2008-2009
Academia Cotopaxi is a private, independent, coeducational day school which offers an American program of studies from preschool (beginning at 20 months) through grade 12 for students of all nationalities. The School, founded in 1959, is located in the northern part of Quito. The academic year comprises 2 semesters extending from late August to mid- December and early January to mid-June.
Organization: The School is governed by a 9-member Board of Trustees representing parents and teachers, all of whom are automatically members of the Cotopaxi Academy Cultural Association, the sponsoring body which owns and operates the School. The School is recognized by the Ecuadorian Ministry of Education.
Curriculum: The curriculum is that of a U.S. college-preparatory school. The program is designed to meet the students’ intellectual, social, and psychological needs. Instruction is primarily in English, with Spanish taught both as a secondary and primary language. All subjects, other than Spanish classes, are taught in English. The staff includes a librarian, 2 guidance counselors, 3 learning disabilities teachers, 3 English-as-a-Second-Language specialists, a curriculum coordinator, a technology curriculum coordinator, a school psychologist, and a school nurse. The International Baccalaureate Diploma is offered in high school. The IB Primary Years Program (PYP) is offered at the elementary level. The School is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and is affiliated with the International Baccalaureate Office in Geneva. In addition to the regular school program, Academia Cotopaxi offers a Spanish based pre-school program, IMAGINE, for children ages 20 months to 4.11 years of age at time of registration. In 2007, Brookdale College Ecuador opened an Overseas Campus of Broward Community College which is housed at Cotopaxi and offers the first U.S. accredited Associate’s program in Quito.
Faculty: In the 2008-2009 school year, there are 63 full time and 4 part-time faculty members, including 40 U.S. citizens, 15 host-country nationals, and 12 third-country nationals.
Enrollment: At the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year, enrollment was 444 (PS-Kdg.: 74; grades 1-6: 183; grades 7-12: 186). Of the total, 120 were U.S. citizens, 191 were host-country nationals, and 133 were third-country nationals. Of the U.S. enrollment, 48 were dependents of U.S. government direct-hire employees and 72 of U.S. business and foundation employees.
Facilities: The School moved to the present, modern, 15-acre campus in 1991. The facilities include 64 classrooms; special facilities for preschool students; art rooms; a gymnasium; an enclosed heated pool; playing fields; an auditorium; 2 cafeterias; 4 science laboratories for biology, chemistry, and physics; and a music complex with band, orchestra, and vocal rooms. There are 4 computer centers. The library/media center, the heart of the school, is divided into elementary and secondary sections. The library consists of over 35,000 volumes and has CD-ROM resources linked through a fiber optic network.
Finances: In the 2008-2009 school year, the tuition rates are as follows: Nursery (IMAGINE): $2,850; PK: $6,125; Kdg.: $10,815; grades 1-6: $11,978; grades 7-12: $14,225. The one-time capital fee is $4,000. The application fee is $300, and the registration fee is $475. Both fees are non-refundable. (All fees are quoted in U.S. dollars.)
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