Ms. Rita Maselli Boucicaut, Director
Union School (Port-au-Prince, Haiti)
Lynx Air UNSCH
P.O. Box 407139
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33340-7139
Tel: 509-257-6565, 509-257-7434
Fax: 509-257-3131
E-mail: rmaselllib@aol.com

The Union 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 1919. The school year comprises 2 semesters extending from late August to mid-January and from mid-January to early June.

Organization: The School is governed by a 7-member Board of Trustees elected for a 3-year term. Terms are staggered so that 2 members are elected each year. The remaining member is appointed by the U.S. Embassy. The Board is elected by the Union School General Assembly, the sponsors of the School. Membership in the Assembly is automatically conferred on the parents or guardians of children enrolled in the School. The School is incorporated and tax-exempt in the United States, and it is legally constituted as a "Public Utility" under Haitian law.

Curriculum: The curriculum is that of U.S. general academic and college-preparatory public schools. Instruction is in English with French and Spanish taught as foreign languages. Honors/advanced sections are offered at different grades in the secondary school. The School also runs a fairly extensive Advanced Placement program. There is no religious instruction. Most graduates (95%) go on to colleges and universities in the United States. The School is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Faculty: There are 47 full-time and 1 part-time faculty members in the 1999-2000 school year, including 22 U.S. citizens, 18 Haitians, and 8 persons of other nationalities. The school is administered by a U.S.-trained director. The secondary principal/E.S.L./L.C. coordinator, elementary principal, and a guidance counselor assist the director. The School employs a full-time financial and operations manager and a registered nurse.

Enrollment: Enrollment at the beginning of the 1999-2000 school year was 395 (PK-grade 5: 145; grades 6-8: 95; grades 9-12: 155). Of the total, 230 were U.S. citizens, 135 host-country nationals, and 30 children of other nationalities. Of the U.S. enrollment, 18 were dependents of U.S. government direct-hire or contract employees.

Facilities: The School rents a 4-story concrete building which sits atop a wooded hillside overlooking the bay of Port-au-Prince in the Petion-Ville residential area. The building houses elementary and secondary classrooms, a library, a clinic, art and music rooms, a science lab, a computer lab, a projection room, and various offices. There is a multipurpose room which provides space for assemblies and school meetings. The School has a snack bar which serves hot lunches. Physical education classes are held on 2 volleyball/basketball courts. There is also a learning center to meet the needs of children with mild to moderate learning problems.

Finances: In the 1999-2000 school year, about 98% of the School's income derives from regular school tuition. Annual tuition rates are as follows: PK: $1,940; Kdg.: $2,896; grades 1-5: $4,426; grades 6-8: $4,617 and grades 9-12: $4,811, with a registration fee of $135 and an activity fee of $100 per student. All students this year must pay a book/materials fee of $300. Families entering the School are required to pay a one-time entrance fee of $4,135. Parents provide their own transportation for students since no bus service exists. Fees are payable in either U.S. dollars or equivalent Haitian Gourdes. (All fees are quoted in U.S. dollars.)

This Fact Sheet is intended to provide general information. The Office of Overseas Schools (A/OPR/OS) may have more detailed information. Prospective users of the schools may wish to inquire further with A/OPR/OS or contact the school directly for more specific and up-to-the minute information regarding curriculum, special programs and the like.