An American School in Puerto Vallarta Mexico offers a different curriculum than the host country. International schools are most often defined as those that cater mainly to the education needs of students who are not nationals of the host country and implement a more universal curriculum, such as the International Baccalaureate or the Cambridge IGCSE. But what about schools like the American School of Puerto Vallarta, which is a private, independent school offering a bilingual, bicultural education to both Mexican and international students? Can it also be classified as an international school?
The answer is yes because it offers a curriculum different from the host country. In this case, the curriculum is geared mainly toward providing students with an American education, but also is recognized by the Mexican Ministry of Education.
Founded in 1986, the American School is located just a few miles from Puerto Vallarta’s international airport in the Marina district. This highly regarded small, private international school has just 337 students enrolled with a mix of 61 percent Mexican students, 24 percent American and 15 percent other nationalities.
The American School in Puerto Vallarta has a unique dual academic program that meets both U.S. and Mexican education standards. All students receive bilingual instruction and receive both a U.S. diploma and a Mexican bachillerato (high school) certificate. Students take 24 Carnegie units required for a U.S. high school diploma taught in English, as well as Mexican program requirements in Spanish Literature, Mexican History, Geography, Law and Civics, all taught in Spanish.
Advanced Placement (AP) classes in English Literature, English Language, Spanish Literature, Calculus, Comparative Government and Politics, Economics, Studio Art and Psychology all are approved by the U.S. College Board. Students are accepted into an AP course based on their MAP scores, grade point average and teacher recommendations and must also take the AP exam. They are limited to three AP classes per year.
Interestingly, the American School starts students in first grade one year later than normal. You can enroll your child at age 4 in the pre-kindergarten level, but at age 6 they must spend one year in what the school calls the Pre Primero level before they enter primary school. This special pre-first year is used to develop dual language proficiency.
“We think parents would be wise to look for U.S. accredited schools like ours when considering where to educate their children,” said Gerald Selitzer, the American School’s general director. “Our school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS-CASI, now known as AdvancEd). All U.S. universities and most others around the world accept transcripts from U.S. accredited schools without having to go through the long and difficult process of re-evaluation of studies. Additionally, we also are accredited by Mexico’s Ministry of Education (SEP) and the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).”
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