InterAmerican Academy is a culturally diverse learning community that provides students with an intellectually stimulating program, founded in research-based standards in a nurturing environment. The school places students at the center of education and encourages them to be creative individuals, critical thinkers, life-long learners, and socially responsible world citizens. IAA is a private, nonprofit, coeducational day school that provides English language instruction from nursery through grade 12. The school was founded in 1979 to serve the international community of Guayaquil. The school year comprises two semesters extending from early August to mid-December and from early January to early June.
Organization: The school is governed by a seven-member board of directors elected from the InterAmerican Cultural Association, which is composed of parents or guardians of students attending the school. There is an executive director, a principal for the early childhood/elementary school, and a principal for the secondary school.
Curriculum: The school employs current research and best practices, problem-based learning, and project-based learning, including inquiry, discovery, creativity, problem solving, and self-direction to create a learning climate that is challenging, enjoyable, active, and dynamic. The individuality and potential of each student will be maximized in a multifaceted, collaborative, high-quality learning environment. The school follows a demanding curriculum based on U.S. common core standards. Spanish is taught as a foreign language. ESL classes as well as SFL are offered to those students whose level of proficiency is low. Art, physical education, technology, and music are offered as part of the curriculum; the school also has an active extracurricular program. The school has been accredited by Cognia and is currently seeking STEM accreditation from Cognia as well. The school has an outdoor school program and Education Without Frontiers trips as part of its experiential learning culture. The early childhood center looks for inspiration from Reggio Emilia and The Project Approach.
Faculty teachers: In the 2022-2023 school year, IAA has 77 total staff including 52 teachers, 19 of whom are U.S. citizens, 34 host-country nationals, and 6 third-country nationals. All of our teaching faculty maintain a teaching certificate.
Enrollment: In the 2022-2023 school year, there are 283 students. Of them, there are 165 host country nationals, 62 third country nationals (including Europeans), and 56 U.S. citizens.
Facilities: The school is located on a beautiful campus in the Puerto Azul sector. The nine buildings include a cafeteria, 31 classrooms including science and computer laboratories, a library, locker rooms, and a fitness center. In addition to heavy integration with technology, the contemporary facility has ample outdoor recreational space including two soccer fields, a covered multipurpose court and playground, two playgrounds for early childhood and elementary students, and basketball/volleyball courts.
Finances: For the 2022-2023 school year, about 95.5% of the school’s income derives from tuition. Annual tuition rates are as follows: nursery (2-year-old half-day optional): $5,913.00; nursery (3-year-old full-day): $6,450; PK: $8,921.00; K: $12,466.00; grades 1-5: $14,721.00; grades 6-8: $15,300.00; and grades 9-12: $17,010.00. Other fees (one-time) include an application fee of $150. Testing fees for secondary level students are $25 per year for the following: PLAN, PSAT, YouScience Test, and MBTI Test. Additional special educational services-educational support are charged $10.00 per session fee.
Special Needs: Download the Special Needs Profile (2023 Special Needs- Ecuador, Guayquil) 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 are provided by the school.