During the last couple of years, Academia Cotopaxi has made focused efforts to better understand its strengths and areas of growth, determine what it is that differentiates the school, and continue to improve with strategic direction in order to realize the school�s vision.  The administration works closely with parents and a highly qualified faculty to assure the best learning results for our students within an environment of true academic excellence.

Since 1959, Academia Cotopaxi has established itself as a leading educational institution, introducing innovative and pedagogically sound practices to its community and to Ecuador.   In 1983, Cotopaxi was the first school in Ecuador to receive authorization to offer the IB Diploma program, and in 2005 became the first and only school in Ecuador to offer the Primary Years Program of the IB. The school responsibly allocates the necessary resources to provide for the continued improvement of student learning.  Cotopaxi�s faculty is primarily responsible for the instructional program of our students, and as such, hiring decisions are taken very seriously.  While the minimum hiring requirements include 3 years of successful teaching experience along with a bachelor�s degree and teaching certificate, 65% of our teaching staff hold graduate degrees and the average tenure of experience is at 7 years. 

Academia Cotopaxi�s graduates attend universities around the world and many are recognized through awards and scholarships for their academic and social accomplishments.  While all students pursue university studies, college admission every year focuses on helping students enter the university that will be best for them.  Students of the class of 2006 are now attending schools in the US like Harvard, UPenn, Bard College.  Students are also attending schools in Canada, Argentina and England among other countries. 

In addition to academics, Academia Cotopaxi�s faculty and administration recognize the importance of providing students with a global education and opportunities to build citizenship.  A clearly articulated global citizenship philosophy along with the school�s core values guides developmentally appropriate activities for the different grade levels.  In the elementary grades, students engage in student lead actions at the end of each of their PYP units.  Beginning in 8^th grade students participate in a year-round community service project which includes team building activities that will result in contributions to their student chosen sites. In 12^th grade, students travel to a rural city off the coast of Ecuador and spend eight days building homes for needy families in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity. 

Ecuador provides a host environment culturally rich and geographically diverse and Cotopaxi utilizes the country�s resources to enhance learning, especially in the subject of Spanish and areas related to the social sciences.  Students learn from a broad spectrum of experiences ranging from Spanish language instruction beginning in Kindergarten to educational field trips ranging from visits to local museums to our high school science trip to the Galapagos Islands.  The school also seeks to provide students with opportunities to interact with those outside of the Cotopaxi community, through sports, social involvement and academic and art competitions.

Involvement in athletics is based on a developmentally appropriate approach to competitive sports in soccer, volleyball, basketball and swimming.  And teams compete at home and abroad.  The school�s auditorium hosts art exhibits year round and students participate in music and drama programs impressing audiences year round.  After-school students can participate in a variety of athletic, recreational and academic activities.

Parents at Academia Cotopaxi are positively involved in the school and through a committed partnership seek the best education possible for their children supporting student learning in many different ways.  Parent input is appreciated and the administration makes a clear effort to establish effective communication through face to face encounters in the form of one-on-one meetings with teachers and administration, special opportunities to share and discuss with the school director, electronic communications, parent-teacher conferences, and an overall open-door policy at all levels. 

When asking our parent community for input on the school�s strengths, the answers are very consistent:  Students at Academia Cotopaxi love to learn; the schools diverse population with over 35 nationalities represented provides students with an opportunity to truly live diversity; and students are taught to think critically and make responsible academic and social decisions.

In order to maintain its strengths and assure growth, the Board of Trustees charges the director with the implementation of the school�s policies and strategic plan. The school�s budget is developed around the needs of the students� learning taking into consideration the country�s economy to assure financial stability. Tuition is the primary source of funding and in 2006, the school�s enrollment increased for the first time in the last 7 years.  Currently there are 490 students enrolled in the regular school program and 90 students enrolled in IMAGINE, Cotopaxi�s bilingual pre-school that opened in 2004 and enrolls children beginning at 20 months of age.

Academia Cotopaxi is a wonderful school!  The administration, faculty and support staff are committed to continuous improvement maintaining a clear focus on what it is that we want to accomplish for the well being of all our students, daily inspiring our young minds to lead tomorrow�s world.

Contact us:

School Director:  Dr. William F. Johnston 

Director of Admissions and Outreach:  Paola de Pereira 

Visit our website at: www.cotopaxi.k12.ec