School Profile
DESCRIPTION
The International American School of Cancun, Mexico, is a private, non-profit, non-sectarian, co-educational institution offering a bilingual, bicultural education for students from seventh grade through high school. Founded in 1998, the school is dedicated to an American style education, high academic standards and the caring environment a small school can offer. Most of the students enter the school through the primary school Comunidad Educativa del Sol, a Mexican bilingual primary under the same administration. The International American School of Cancun is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), Mexico’s Ministry of Education (SEP) and the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).
Grades: 7 - 12 CEEB: 870070
Middle/High School: 267
Student Population: 67% Mexican 17% U.S./Dual Nationality 16% Other
UNIQUE DUAL ACADEMIC PROGRAM
Our elementary school students (CES) receive bilingual instruction that meets both Mexican and U.S. standards. Most of our high school students are enrolled in a full dual program, receiving both a U.S. diploma and a Mexican preparatory (high school) certificate. Thus, the majority of our graduates speak both English and Spanish fluently. These students are taking as a minimum the 24 Carnegie units required for a U.S. high school diploma as well as the Mexican program requirements in Spanish Literature, Mexican History, Geography, Law and Civics. English is the major language of instruction: English literature, science, social studies, math, and some electives are taught in English. In grades 10-12, eighty percent of the classes are taught in English.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT
Advanced Placement courses are offered this year in Spanish Literature (11th grade only) and Calculus (12th grade only). Given the small size of each grade level (maximum 25), staff requirements, the needs and interests of individual students, there is some variability in AP programming from year to year. Additional opportunities exist for supervised independent studies and honors classes in preparation for AP exams. Over the past five years, small groups of students have studied and taken exams in English Language, English Literature, and U.S. History.
CLASS SCHEDULING AND GRADING SYSTEM
Almost all junior high and high school classes are year-long, divided into two semesters. Most classes are offered once each day for approximately 45 minutes. A very few elective classes and others not required for graduation last only one semester and/or may meet less frequently than five days per week. Credits awarded vary with time spent in direct instruction, with daily instruction required for full credit. Students are graded on a scale ranging from 0 to 10.0, with 6.0 required to pass the semester. Grade point averages are weighted to reflect hours of instruction (and credit earned) in each class.
NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY
High School students who have maintained an average of 9.1 or above and meet other rigorous criteria are eligible for nomination to the National Honor Society, recognized throughout the United States. They must maintain their average and participate actively in community service and other activities to maintain their membership. High school students maintaining a 9.0 average and above are considered honor roll students.
COLLEGE PLACEMENT AND TESTING INFORMATION
| PAA Results (College Board SAT in Spanish) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | Verbal | Math | Writing |
| 2007 | 575 | 614 | |
| 2008 | 607 | 600 | |
| 2009 | 564 | 616 | |
| 2011 | 560 | 617 | 561 |
| SAT Results | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VERBAL/CRITICAL READING | MATHETMATICS | WRITING | |||||
| Class | #Taking Exam | IAS Mean | IAS Score Range | IAS Mean | IAS Score Range | IAS Mean | IAS Score Range |
| 2007 | 1 | 590 | 590 | 630 | 630 | 640 | 640 |
| 2008 | 7 | 510 | 370-630 | 490 | 410-580 | 499 | 410-710 |
| 2009 | 7 | 569 | 370-670 | 557 | 430-710 | 517 | 370-590 |
| 2010 | 10 | 455 | 380-540 | 445 | 270-530 | 467 | 390-590 |
| 2011 | 18 | 509 | 360-710 | 513 | 280-700 | 517 | 340-710 |
Ninety percent of graduating students continue directly into universities in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and other countries. Graduates in the past nine years have attended/are attending the following universities:
| United States | Mexico | Other Countries |
|---|---|---|
| Art Institute of NYC Colorado State University Eckerd College Florida International Univ. Goucher College Henderson State University Kenyon College Lake Forest College Louisiana College Ouachita Baptist College Palomar College Pratt Institute Queens Univ. of Charlotte Santa Fe CC Sarah Lawrence College St. Andrews Presbyterian University of Central Florida University of Chicago University of Colorado University of Nevada, Reno UNC Asheville University of Texas El Paso Vassar College Warren Wilson College |
CEDIM Monterrey CIDE Mexico ITAM Mexico Tecnológico de Monterrey UNAM Mexico Universidad Anáhuac UADY Universidad de las Américas Universidad del Caribe Universidad del Mayab Universidad de Monterrey Universidad La Salle Universidad Valle de México Universidad Veracruzana |
Canada: Concordia University George Brown College University of British Columbia England: Other: |
THE FACULTY
The International American School of Cancun maintains a highly trained professional staff, composed of teachers from the U.S., Mexico, England, and Canada. Forty percent of the teachers hold a graduate degree. These teachers support the efforts of the school community to provide an American model of education in a bilingual, bicultural setting. The school enjoys a blend of staff members who are permanent residents of Cancun and others with shorter time commitments, as well as diversity in age and experience. This is yet another aspect that helps create a professional atmosphere where ideas are exchanged freely and challenges and goals are addressed in many different and unique ways.
THE SCHOOL PLANT
The school plant consists of two buildings which house fifteen classrooms, including an auditorium, a full library, science and computer laboratories, administrative offices, auditorium, restrooms, storerooms, and cafeteria. The grounds include a basketball court, grass-covered sports field, and shady rest areas.
EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Education at the International American School of Cancun extends beyond the classroom to ensure that all students are presented with the opportunity to grow in a rich environment of experiences. Programs are diverse: student council, National Honor Society, Model United Nations, Earth Friendly Club, Community Service Club, and community service projects. An after-school sports program for boys and girls is offered in soccer, basketball, ping pong, pilates, tennis, and volleyball. The school also participates in a variety of events throughout Mexico within ASOMEX (American Schools of Mexico): creative writing workshops, sports events, and Model UN simulations.
Av. Colegios SM 306 Mza. 17 Lt. 39, Blvd. Colosio Km 5 Cancún, Quintana Roo
Telephone: +52 998-882-2269 y 998-882-2273
Copyright© Comunidad Educativa del Sol / International American School. All rights reserved