The American Nicaraguan School (ANS) is a private, nonprofit, coeducational day school founded in 1944 to provide a college-preparatory American educational program from nursery (kindergarten age three) through grade 12 for students of all nationalities. The school community includes members of the diplomatic corps, foreign and local businesses, Nicaraguan government, and various international assistance groups working in Nicaragua.
Organization: The school is governed by a seven-member board of directors, with six members elected by school parents and one member appointed by the U.S. Embassy.
Mission: The ANS Mission is to provide its multicultural student community with a U.S.-accredited, college-preparatory program, based on democratic and universal values, that develops critical thinkers and ethical individuals capable of realizing their leadership potential by making meaningful contributions to society.
Curriculum: A Cognia accredited institution, ANS provides a U.S. standards-based curriculum, designed to foster depth of understanding anchored in the school’s six core values. ANS operates as a Primary School division (pathways early learning for three- & four-year-olds to grade 5) and a secondary school division (grades 6-12). While English is the language of instruction through all grade levels at ANS, students take Spanish class starting in kindergarten and are given the option of French or Chinese as an additional language. Secondary students can opt to complete the Nicaraguan national diploma program in addition to the U.S. diploma. Rigorous and engaging coursework includes a senior year Capstone Project and an offering of 18 Advanced Placement courses. Courses are designed and delivered in alignment to standards across school divisions. The American Education Reaches Out (AERO) framework includes English language arts and mathematics standards aligned to Common Core State Standards; social studies through the four dimensions of the C3 Framework (college, career, and civic life); scientific practices through the NGSS standards; National Core Arts standards for visual and performing arts courses. Standards-based assessment practices reflect a school-wide commitment to the growth mindset, encouraging transfer of learning as meaningful contributions to society.
Faculty: In the 2022-2023 school year, ANS has 192 total staff including 108 teachers, 16 of whom are U.S. citizens, 79 host-country nationals, and 13 third-country nationals from seven different countries. Most teachers are licensed to teach in the United States, Nicaragua, or their native countries.
Enrollment: At the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year, enrollment was 814. Of the total, 173 are U.S. citizens, 534 are host-country nationals, and 104 are third-country nationals.
Facilities: Located on a 25-acre campus in Managua, Nicaragua, ANS is undergoing a major facilities renovation project, having begun in 2011 with the inauguration of the new high school building. A complete remodeling of the primary school was finished recently. Facilities also include two soccer fields, a track, a semi-Olympic size swimming pool, and a multipurpose covered athletic area. Tech and media resources include a 28,531-volume library, the largest of its kind in Nicaragua, and high-speed wireless Internet access across campus.
Finances: For the 2022-2023 school year, about 90% of the school’s income is derived from tuition, registration, extracurricular activities, and a technology fee. Annual tuition rates, including annual registration, extracurricular activities, technology fee, PTO, and scholarship fund can be found here: https://www.ans.edu.ni/tuition-and-fees/.
Special Needs: Download the Special Needs Profile (2023 Special Needs- Nicaragua, Managua) for this school to learn more about their capability to support students with exceptionalities.
This Fact Sheet is intended to provide general information. Prospective users of the schools may wish to inquire further of A/OPR/OS or contact the school directly for more specific and up-to-the-minute information. Information and statistics are current as of September 2022 and provided by the school.