International School of Caracas
Web: www.cic-caracas.org
2008-2009
The International School of Caracas is a private, coeducational day school which offers a program from pre-nursery through grade 12 for students of all nationalities. It is operated by the Associacion Civil Accademia La Castellana. The School year is comprised of 2 semesters extending approximately from mid August to mid December and from mid January to mid-June.
Organization: The School, a non-profit institution, is parent-owned. Each parent purchases a share (refundable) in the School when a student is registered. It is administered by a Board of Directors, elected each October by the parents at the General Assembly. The School is accredited by the AdvancED (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) and the International Baccalaureate Organization for both the Diploma and the Middle Years Program. It is recognized by both the Venezuelan and the U.S. Government as a tax-exempt organization.
Curriculum: The curriculum is similar to that of a U.S. college-preparatory school, with additional emphasis placed on Spanish and the history and culture of Latin America. Basic instruction is given in English, but all students are required to study Spanish, or take a course taught in Spanish, each year. Almost 100% of the graduates go on to colleges or universities in the United States, Canada,or Europe. The School places a premium on creating a supportive environment for all students. The small class size and faculty ensure that students work hard, yet also feel that they are part of a large school community. The school uses both the International Baccalaureate Diploma programs in grades 11 and 12 and the International Baccalaureate middle years program in grades 6-10. The School has an extremely varied and interesting after school program. This program includes Model United Nations teams for both grades 6-8 and 9-12, extensive drama and music, plus a range of athletic teams at all levels of the School. The School’s community service program-Ayuday Amistad, is an integral part of student life and all students are expected to devote time to this organization during the year.
Faculty: In the 2008-2009 school year, there are 42 full-time and 4 part-time faculty members, including 15 U.S. citizens, 21 host-country nationals, and 10 third-country nationals.
Enrollment: At the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year, enrollment was 200 (Pre-N-grade 5: 97; grades 6-8: 33; and grades 9-12: 70). Of the total, 12 were U.S. citizens, 78 were host-country nationals, and 110 were third-country nationals. U.S. students are dependents of U.S. Embassy personnel (4), other private U.S. citizens, and faculty.
Facilities: The facilities consist of 37 classrooms, 6 laboratories, 2 libraries with over 30,000 volumes, 70 magazines and numerous audio-visual materials, 4 computer rooms, an elementary wing, 9 offices, 2 book rooms, 2 art rooms, and 2 music rooms. The 4 secondary science laboratories have been newly refurbished and are designed to be used by both secondary and elementary students. All classrooms, computer laboratories and the media center have access to the Internet, with a wireless network all around campus. There is abundant space for sports and recreation as the School has a full-size artificial turf soccer field, covered basketball courts, and a street hockey area. The physical education building includes dance/weight rooms,2 locker rooms and a physical education office. Students also have access to a modern cafeteria and eating area.
Finances: In the 2008-2009 school year, the School’s income derives from tuition. Annual tuition rates are as follows: Pre-N: $6,000; N-PK: $12,106; Kdg.-grade 5: $18,863; grades 6-8: $22,664; grades 9-10: $22,664; and grades 11-12: $24,374. There is a one-time capital fee of $10,000. (All fees are quoted in U.S. dollars.)
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