School Data

A. NAME OF SCHOOL

Colegio Maya Motto/Slogan: “Catch the Spirit!”

B. SCHOOL CONTACT INFORMATION

TELEPHONE 011-502-2365-0037 and 011-502-2365-4817

FAX NUMBER

011-502-2365-0116

EMAIL ADDRESS

info@cm.edu.gt

WEB ADDRESS

www.cm.edu.gt

C. LOCAL ADDRESS OF SCHOOL

Kilometro 12.5 Carretera al El Salvador

D. MAILING ADDRESS OF SCHOOL TO BE USED BY U.S. CORRESPONDENTS

Section 0280, P.O. Box 02-5289

Miami, FL 33102-5289

E. NAME & TITLE OF CHIEF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR

Dr. Sherry Miller, Director

F. SCHOOL BOARD

The school is governed by a nine-member board of directors, elected by the Colegio Maya Parent Association, to whom the director is responsible.

Harold Sibaja, President

Todd Amani, Vice-president

Lit Tazewell, Treasurer

Cecilia Hernandez, Secretary

Mike Richards

Jin Ah Lin

Charles Oberbeck

Meri Frohmader

Jan Ramirez

G. GRADES INCLUDED IN THE SCHOOL

PK – 12^th Grades

H. SCHOOL ORGANIZATION

Early Childhood PK & K

Elementary 1^st through 5^th

Middle School 6^th through 8^th

High School 9^th through 12^th

I. OPENING AND CLOSING DATES OF EACH SCHOOL TERM

Term 1: 08/09/2004 – 10/11/2004

Term 2: 10/12/2004 – 12/17/2004

Term 3: 01/11/2005 – 03/18/2005

Term 4: 03/28/2005 – 06/02/2005

J. SCHOOL ACCREDITATION, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

DATE ACCREDITED: 1972

LAST ACCREDITATION VISIT: Interim visit in 2001, Full visit in 1996

K. LOCAL SCHOOL ACCREDITATION

Guatemalan Ministry of Education

L. DATE OF THE MOST CURRENT BYLAWS: 04/03/2001

CONSTITUTION: 10/08/1968

M. COLEGIO MAYA NUMBER OF STUDENTS BY GRADE

PK 15

Kinder 21

1 24

2 20

3 28

4 23

5 26

6 23

7 31

8 23

9 26

10 24

11 25

12 29

Total 338

N. TYPE OF SCHOOL

Colegio Maya: the American International School of Guatemala is a private, nonprofit, nonsectarian, coeducational day school, which offers a pre-kindergarten through grade 12 education program for students of all nationalities.

BELIEFS

At Colegio Maya, we believe in educating lifelong learners by:

§ Fostering a safe, caring, and joyful environment;

§ Celebrating the diversity of our Colegio Maya family;

§ Creating responsible world citizens;

§ Encouraging a socially and environmentally-aware consciousness;

§ Preparing for a changing technological world;

§ Stimulating curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking; and

§ Affirming the students’ right and responsibility to explore their potential.

MISSION STATEMENT

Colegio Maya intends to provide an excellent educational opportunity, based on a U.S. curriculum, primarily for the international community in Guatemala, regardless of race, nationality or creed. Colegio Maya shall offer a program of studies to prepare students for success in the U.S. university system. Recognizing the transient nature of the student body, the curriculum should enable students to transfer between Colegio Maya and other U.S. international and Guatemalan schools, insofar as equivalency requirements do not conflict with U.S. curriculum standards. Colegio Maya shall endeavor to provide a program that maintains, and benefits from, the international diversity of the community. Colegio Maya is committed to the development of the whole individual and is dedicated to fostering students’ intellectual, social, emotional and physical growth to prepare them to become good citizens and productive members of society.

NON-NEGOTIABLES

Colegio Maya is based on the following non-negotiable principles:

§ Academic excellence

§ Accreditation in the U.S. by SACS (the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools)

§ Recognition by the Guatemalan Ministry of Education

§ U.S. type curriculum with English as the language of instruction

§ College preparatory school

§ Experienced, credentialed faculty

§ Ongoing staff development

§ Small classes (average size 12-18 students)

§ Non-profit, parent-run school (9 member board of directors)

§ Everybody is a learner

§ Commitment to individual growth

§ Celebration of diversity

§ Attention to the whole child

§ Commitment to fostering social responsibility

PROFILE OF A COLEGIO MAYA GRADUATE

PROFILE OF A COLEGIO MAYA TEACHER

PROFILE OF A COLEGIO MAYA PARENT

PROFILE OF A COLEGIO MAYA ADMINISTRATOR

VALUES

Through a survey of the student body by the Values Subcommittee of the School Improvement Committee, the following list of values were selected as the values that best represent Colegio Maya students:

Respect Honesty Friendship Diversity Sharing

Growth Integrity Trust Unity Individuality

O. BACKGROUND HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS

· 1958 – A group of U.S. government employees and international businessmen and women founded the school with the idea of creating an institution from which their children would be able to transfer easily to school in the U.S. or to similar schools in other countries. The first year- in a house in a residential area of the city – there were 18 students and 2 teachers.

· 1972 – Accreditation was granted by SACS – the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges – for the first time.

· 1978 – The first senior class graduated.

· 1980 – The school moved to its present location on the outskirts of Guatemala City

· 1998 – Work on the gymnasium was completed.

· 2002 – The elementary and secondary libraries were renovated and enlarged.

· 2003 to present – Construction of a performing arts center.

P. SCHOOL YEAR

School Calendar 04-05

Q. Length of school day

Pre-Kinder: 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon

Kinder: 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Elementary: 8:00 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.

Secondary 7:50 a.m. to 2:50 p.m.

R. STAFF

NAME	SUBJECT	NAME	SUBJECT
AtLee, Aaron	Secondary Math	Lyttle, Debby	Music
Aune, Peder	Secondary Math/AP	Maldonado, Maribel	Secondary Principal
Ayers, Steve	Middle School Social Studies	McHallam, Joanne	Elementary ESOL
Bernhard, Kristine	Spanish	Menning, Patrick	2nd Grade
Bernhard, Monica	Spanish	Miller, Sherry	Director
Bond, Tim	High School Science/AP	Molina, Vicky	Spanish
Bond, Anabella	Spanish/AP	Morales, Katia	Social Studies/AP
Bosch, Sarah	Kindergarten	Morales de, Isabel	Spanish
Cook, Tekla	Secondary Science/AP	Muñante, Patricia	Middle School PE/Health
Constantineau, Jade	5th Grade	Murray, Farah	2nd Grade
deBeausset, Jennie	ESOL/Elementary Music	Parker, Jerry	4th Grade
Dubeck, Peggy	Learning Resource Center	Ramirez, Amy	3rd Grade
Fifield, Jeff	Curriculum Facilitator	Rinker, Collette	Kindergarten
Fussell, Linda	1st Grade	Rosenfeld, Ruth	Secondary Technology
Gaddis, Sharon	Secondary Librarian	Sanchez, Pablo	Elementary/Middle School PE
Haeussler, Tita	Elementary Technology	Sherman, Stacy	1st Grade
Hunter, Michael	Elementary Art/Library Aid	Solis, Debbie	3rd Grade
Hunter, Anita	Art	Solorzano. Johanna	Nurse/Health Educator
Jauregui, Sylvia	High School English/AP	Stallings, Cathie	Middle School English
Jerome, Pamela	4th Grade	Tsuji, Aida	Administrative Assistant
Johnson, Janelle	Secondary Math/Science	Urrutia, Juanita	Secondary ESOL
Kayayan, Maggie	College Counselor/AP Coordinator, English	Wever, Karen	Secondary Social Studies
King, Matthew	Secondary Math/Science	Wharton, Julie	Drama
Leiser, Jessica	Secondary PE	Wiser, Lucinda	Elementary Principal
Livingston, William	High School English	Wong, Ethelvina	Pre-Kinder
Lopez, Ana Fabiola	5th Grade	Zea, Aida	School Counselor
Lou de, Blanca	Spanish/AP

S. Number of full-time and part-time instructional support

Staff

Full-time: Johanna Solorzano, Nurse; Pablo Sanchez, Physical Education; Tita Haeussler, Technology; Miguel Angel Garcia, Technology; Amelia Herrera, Library; Part-time: Patty Barrios, Early Childhood

T. Administrators – Core Team

School Director: Sherry Miller

Elementary Principal: Lucinda Wiser

Secondary Principal: Maribel Maldonado

Business Manager: Aida Tsuji

School Counselor: Aida Zea

Curriculum Facilitator:             Jeff Fifield

U. Demographic profile of teachers, administrators and support staff

U.S.:  39

Guatemalan: 12

Other:  2 Canada, 1 Brazil, 1 United Kingdom

V. Student-teacher ratios

Small class size is a non-negotiable item at Colegio Maya. This year, class sizes range from 1 (in some Spanish levels) to 17. The normal class size tends to be 12 to 15 students per class.

W. Years of experience of the faculty and administration (average number of years of experience)

The average number of years of experience for the local faculty is 10 years.

The average number of years of experience for the foreign hire faculty is 12 years.

The average number of years worked at Maya by current faculty is 3. There are 6 members that have worked at Maya more than 10 years.

X. Percentage of teaching and administrative staff who hold advanced degrees

33 of the personnel have Master’s+ degrees. This includes administrators,

nurse and teacher’s aide.

Y. Highlights of school levels (Early Childhood/Elementary, MS, HS)

EARLY CHILDHOOD / ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

To ease the transition to elementary school, particularly in regards to English for our non-native speakers, Colegio Maya offers pre-K and kindergarten classes for children ages four and five. This early start program gives students the opportunity to learn reading and math readiness and social skills, all through structured learning and play activities. These early school experiences nourish a child’s self esteem, promote creative expression and provide a positive, joyful introduction to the school environment.

Children enrolled in the elementary school are exposed to a balanced, standards-based curriculum. A strong academic program is offered in reading, math, science, and social studies. Children are encouraged to become independent learners, while being nurtured in a caring, academic environment. Individual growth is fostered through the use of Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences and with attention to learning styles. We believe every child is gifted and all of our elementary teachers have been trained in Talents Unlimited in an effort to support students’ growth in critical thinking and other academic talents.

Highlights of early childhood/elementary school include:

· Caring, excellent teachers

· Small class size

· Attention to the development of the whole child

· Every child is talented – use of multiple intelligence theory, Talents Unlimited

· Curriculum includes language arts, math, science, social studies, Spanish, computers, art, music, and physical education

· Literature-based approach to teaching reading including the systematic teaching of phonics and skill instruction

· Large, attractive, safe playgrounds

· Extra support for ESOL and special learning needs

· Monthly assemblies

· Community service

· Elementary student council (STUCO)

MIDDLE SCHOOL

A more challenging curriculum combined with opportunities to participate in student government and community service give middle school students in grades six through eight the skills they need to make a smooth transition from the self-contained classrooms of elementary to the more independent world of high school. In order to be effective, this program focuses on academics and also offers support in terms of self-awareness, self-esteem, relationships, problem solving, and decision making to help guide the students through the problems often encountered in early adolescence.

Special traditions, enrichment activities, and offerings at the middle school level include:

· “Lock-In” (students spend all night in the gym with their teachers and advisors, and participate in activities such as a scavenger hunt, sports events, a talent show, a bonfire and marshmallow roast, astronomy, and breakfast cooked by the teachers)

· Middle school musical (recent productions include: Fiddler on the Roof, Music Man Jr., and Guys ‘n Dolls)

· Exploratory (rotating periods that give students the chance to experience art, music, computers, creative problem solving, drama, outdoor adventure, current events and/or Mapping the World)

· Write On! Class for every student as they work on specific genres of writing: Reports and Explanations, Procedure and Explanation, Recounting, Fiction and Information Reports

· Beginning band

· Junior National Honor Society (open to 8^th and 9^th graders)

· Student council (STUCO)

· Community service

· Middle school advisory – a student-centered program that provides caring, adult guidance for small groups of students on a regular basis

· Destination Imagination

HIGH SCHOOL (see Secondary Program of Studies)

A rigorous academic program which includes nine AP courses (English literature, English language, calculus, environmental science, psychology, Spanish literature, Spanish language, chemistry, and U.S. history), is designed to prepare students for college entrance and success. Ninety-five percent of Maya graduates go directly to a four-year college in the U.S., Latin America, or Europe. In recent years, a few students have opted to take a year off to pursue special interest projects or complete an internship before entering college.

Requirements for graduation are:

4 credits each of English, social studies, Spanish (or another foreign language), science, and math; 2 credits of physical education/health; 6 elective credits according to specified distribution requirements; and 40 hours of community service.

Highlights at the high school level include:

· Music – choir and instrumental music

· Drama – 2 plays yearly; participation in the AASCA drama festival

· Art – studio and art history; students participate in local and international contests

· National Honor Society

· Model United Nations

· Knowledge Bowl

· Yearbook

· Spirit Week

· Career- College Workshop for Juniors

· College Information Exchange (CIE) College Fair

· Computer connected to the Internet in every classroom

· Student council (STUCO)

· Renovated and enlarged secondary library with over 17,000 volumes; on line access to over 400 periodicals; and 10 computers for student use

· Senior retreat and senior-parent breakfast

Z. students who participate in compensatory programs

ENGLISH PROFICIENCY

The following is a listing of the number of students currently receiving direct ESOL instruction. However, while many of the students do not qualify for ESOL instruction, for the majority of students, English is not their first language and is a factor in their instruction, learning and assessment.

1^st Grade 13 students

2^nd Grade 9 students

3^rd Grade 2 students

4^th Grade 6 students

5^th Grade 6 students

Middle School   4 students at the beginner’s level

6^th Grade 8 students with 1 exiting the ESOL program in the second semester

7^th Grade 10 students with 4 exiting the ESOL program in the second semester

8^th Grade 4 students

9^th Grade 4 students

learning resource center (LRC)

The LRC serves students that have been identified with special learning needs that require additional support beyond the classroom. Early intervention is a priority. Students in the following grades are currently being served:

Kinder      3 students

1^st Grade 1 student

2^nd Grade 3 students

3^rd Grade 4 students

4^th Grade 1 student

5^th Grade 1 students

6^th Grade 2 students

7^th Grade 0 students

8^th Grade 3 student

AA. Description of co-curricular programs

Elementary level

The After School Program offers activities such as Destination Imagination, basketball, soccer, badminton, softball, ceramics, woodworking, photography, science club, creative art, robotics, cheerleading, and band.

secondary level

Secondary students also participate in the After-School program that is offered to the elementary students. In addition, the secondary students actively participate in community service, drama productions, competitive sports (basketball, soccer, & volleyball), leadership conferences, musical concerts at local venues, in AASCA-sponsored events, and, at times, in other international settings. It is with pride, that Colegio Maya being such a small school, that the students participate in so many of the different types of events with distinction.

BB. Student handbooks (see Elementary and Secondary Handbook Files)

1. Elementary Handbook (Word file)
2. Middle School Handbook (Word file)
3. Secondary Handbook (Word file)

*Of special note is that the Maya students do not wear uniforms but do adhere to a dress code.

CC. Facilities

Include:

Early Childhood Center: 3 classrooms and a playground

Elementary Building: Offices, 12 classrooms, playground, covered court, computer classroom,

teachers’ lounge

Library & Technology Building: Elementary Library, Secondary Library, Secondary Tech Center

Secondary Building: Offices, 2 science labs, 8 classrooms, conference rooms, seniors' lounge, HS STUCO room, College Counselor's office

Additional Buildings: Counselor’s office, Learning Resource Center, 1 classroom

Administration Building: Offices, Reception, 6 classrooms

Gymnasium, Cafeteria, science lab, 4 classrooms, multi-purpose room, nurse’s office

Performing Arts Center (under construction) with 3 classrooms

Others: soccer field, 2 outdoor multi-use courts, multi-purpose room

DD. Instructional resources

- 20,000 volumes in libraries with 12 computer/Internet workstations, EBSCO

- Computer and Internet in each classroom

- 2 Computer Labs

- 3 Science Labs

- School-wide focus on Multiple Intelligence theory, Talents Unlimited, ESOL in the

Mainstream, Understanding by Design, Curriculum Mapping

EE. Transportation of students

217 students use the school’s bus service. In addition, the school offers a general bus route for

after-school activities. The rest of the students use personal/private transportation.

FF. SCHOOL FINANCES

Annual Tuition Rate(s) for the Current Year in U.S. Dollars

PK $5400

KINDER-5 $8030

6-8 $8395

9-12 $8504

PK Incorporation Fee $500

K-12 Incorporation Fee $6000

Bus $908

Senior Fee $200

ESOL $400 per semester

Maya Budget (Excel file)

GG. COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS

12^th Grade: Casa Bernabe – Km. 12 Carretera al El Salvador (4^th year)

The 12^th Grade at Colegio Maya contributes clothing, food items, toys and time for companionship, games, crafts, learning experiences for the children of Casa Bernabe, a privately funded orphanage located at km. 22, Carretera Salvador. This is the fourth year that the students from Colegio Maya pledge their service to this particular organization.

11^th Grade: Asociacion Modulos de Esperanza - 52 calle 32-71, Zona 7, Col. Granizo (3^rd year)

Last year we bought 3 reclining wheel chairs for their use and visited on various occasions to deliver money for the chairs, deliver gifts of stuffed toys and spend time with the old people, entertaining them, helping feed them and providing them with companionship. Our plans for this year are to raise money for a new roof they need to construct.

10^th Grade: Safe Passage Zone 3 (2^nd year)

Safe Passage/Camino Seguro is an educational project located on the outskirts of the city dump. We have brought students up for a field day at our school and have helped train their teachers. Last year we helped with the preparations of their school supplies. This year we are helping build a playground near their school.

9^th Grade:  Fundaniños

The 9^th Grade contributes clothing, food items, toys and time for companionship, games, crafts, learning experiences for the children of Fundaniños, a privately funded orphanage located at San Jose Pinula.

NHS: Instituto Nueva Concepcion

National Honor Society members tutor students in English at the Instituto Nueva Concepcion in addition to providing materials, equipment, and furniture as needs arise during the school year. During vacation months, we provide a summer activity program for the children attending Escuela Publica #813.

NJHS

National Junior Honor Society is considering a Habitat for Humanity project.

Environmental Science

The Environmental Science classes raise money for a local project (Chapeton Turtle Sanctuary) that helps newly hatched turtles make it to the open ocean.

Middle School

The middle school STUCO is currently examining the options of participating in a tree planting project through the local Rainforest Foundation.

Elementary School

The elementary school supports the Safe Passage projects. In addition, this year the elementary school STUCO has chosen to provide support for an animal in the Aurora Zoo.

School-Wide

The identified project is Safe Passage (Camino Seguro). The school continues to donate learning resources and equipment. Additionally, several teachers provide in-service training to the project’s teachers. Students have participated in presentations to the project. Shoe, backpack, and school supply drives have been hosted by STUCO for the children of the project. Cultural sharing and activity exchanges continue to take place.

HH. CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT CYCLE

CYCLE	1^ST YEAR	2^ND YEAR	3^RD YEAR	4^TH YEAR	5^TH YEAR
	Formal Development	Implement & Refine #1	Implement & Refine #2	Implement & Refine #3	Evaluate & Explore
2004-2005	Social Studies	Math	Science	LA & Spanish	Specials & Fine Arts
2005-2006	Specials & Fine Arts	Social Studies	Math	Science	LA & Spanish
2006-2007	LA & Spanish	Specials & Fine Arts	Social Studies	Math	Science
2007-2008	Science	LA & Spanish	Specials & Fine Arts	Social Studies	Math
2008-2009	Math	Science	LA & Spanish	Specials & Fine Arts	Social Studies

II.      Faculty Handbook (file)

JJ. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Professional Development for faculty is supported in three ways. The first is through the option in our teacher evaluation model for teachers to choose a professional development project to complete and present to the teacher’s supervisor. Examples from this year’s teacher projects are: examining English and Math Connections in the high school, comparison of AP Calculus with college Calculus, Spanish Elementary Placement tests, translation of Talents Unlimited materials for local teacher training, compilation of Sea Turtle information, activities for fluency and vocabulary development in ESOL, develop a College Counseling Handbook, develop an in-service for elementary Science, continued development of portfolios for PE/Health, using MLA format for Social Studies assignments, creating a Notebook of 6+1 Writing, and designing a classroom Writer’s Workshop.

The second way in which Professional Development is supported is through offerings in the staff development portion of the professional development in-service days. These days have been designed to include technology time, time for curriculum connections and community time in addition to staff development workshops. This year, faculty have been afforded opportunities in use of unit planning, Understanding by Design, curriculum mapping and use of the Atlas curriculum mapping software and design and use of rubrics. For the second semester, the Professional Development Committee has suggested scheduling time to allow teachers to conduct mini-workshops based on their professional projects.

The third way in which Colegio Maya supports professional development has been the allocation of money for each faculty member to participate in professional development activities nationally, regionally or internationally. Faculty members have been allowed to accumulate these funds for a time period of up to three years in order to use the larger amount to attend conferences, classes, and/or workshops of their choice throughout the world. Due to the current situation of student enrollment, this option for teachers has been suspended. Depending on next year’s student enrollment, the program will be re-activated.

 KK.         Secondary Program of Studies (file)