The American Nicaraguan School, founded in 1944, is a coed, independent school with grades Pre-K through 12. The American Nicaraguan School (ANS) provides a rigorous academic preparation through an American curriculum with classes taught in English.
The 26 acre wireless campus offers 80 classrooms, a library/media center with video conferencing, science laboratories, athletics, drama, music and fine arts departments.
QUICK FACTS
- 931 students, 452 in elementary school, 221 in middle school and 258 in high school.
- 30% U.S. Citizens, 53 % Nicaraguan,7% Asian and 10% represent other nationalities.
- 26 nationalities represented.
- ANS community includes: diplomatic corps, international and local businesses, the Nicaraguan government and members from international assistance groups.
- Over 90% of the student body voluntarily participates in community service organizations.
- Financial aid available for all students.
ACADEMIC CALENDAR AND STANDING
ANS celebrates its multicultural community encouraging students to become articulate ethical critical thinkers through a college preparatory curriculum. Students enroll in seven courses five days per week. The day begins at 7:05 am-2:05pm, allowing time for the over 20 community service organizations, academic clubs (HACIA Democracy, MODEL UN, NHS), drama and fine arts clubs and meetings with faculty members. The extensive athletic complex houses soccer, swimming, basketball, baseball, volleyball, track and gymnastic teams.
The American Nicaraguan School uses a semester calendar. Rank is calculated and reported at the end of the eleventh grade year using weighted averages of all courses in 9th, 10th and 11th grade. The averages will be recalculated at the completion of first semester of 12th grade and again at the completion of the high school career.
GRADING SYSTEM
- The American Nicaraguan School uses a 4.0 grading scale, where a grade of “A” equals 4.0 (93-96), “A-” equals 3.75 (90-92), etc.
- The minimum passing grade is “D-“(.75/60-62.) The cumulative grade point average is weighted. Grade weighting is applied to Honors and Advance Placement courses:
- Honors: “A” equals 4.50 and “B” equals 3.50
- AP Courses: “A” equals 5.0 and “B” equals 4.0
STANDARIZED TEST SCORES
- SAT and ACT scores are recorded on the American Nicaraguan School transcript. TOEFL scores are not recorded on the transcript.
- The American Nicaraguan School is a certified testing center for SAT, ACT, GRE, LSAT, PRAXIS, TOEFL, SSAT, SCAT,and AP exams. Other testing services are provided for those students with additional admission requirements.
- CLASS OF 2011 MEAN SAT SCORES
- Critical Reading 510 Math 543 Writing 528
ADVANCED PLACEMENT PROGRAM
- All departments offer a rigorous curriculum. A Pre-AP program was implemented in the English Department during the ’09-’10 academic year. Many students enroll in Advanced Placement courses. Students must enroll in the AP course if they wish to sit for exam. In May 2011, 118 students sat for 206 Advanced Placement examinations in 17 subject areas. The distribution of the scores is as follows:
- 5’s –19% 4’s –26% 3’s –23% 2’s –18%1’s-13%
2011 AP SCHOLAR AWARDS
- AP Scholars: 11
- AP Scholars with Honor: 9
- AP Scholars with Distinction: 13
- AP International Diploma: 3
2011-2012 AP COURSE OFFERINGS
Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Calculus AB, Music Theory, Macroeconomics, Psychology, Comparative Government and Politics, United States History, European History, Chinese Language, French Language, Spanish Language, Spanish Literature, English Language, English Literature and Human Geography.
DIPLOMA REQUIREMENTS
The American Nicaraguan School offers students the opportunity to earn the Nicaraguan Bachillerato diploma along with the U.S. High School diploma.
U.S. HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA
Spanish: 4 years (Spanish as a Second Language levels I –IV)
English: 4 years
Science: 3 years (including Biology, Chemistry and Physics)
Mathematics: 4 years
History: 4 years (including U.S. History and Macroeconomics)
Physical Education: 2 years
Fine Arts: 1 semester (Drama I,II, Theatre Technology, Studio Art, Art I,II, Band, Guitar, Musical Theatre, AP Music Theory)
Computer Technology: 1 year (Digital Yearbook, Desktop Publishing, Web Page Design, Information Technology)
Elective Courses: 4 years (Mandarin, French, Global Studies, Forensics, Fine Arts, Creative Writing)
Nicaraguan Bachillerato
Spanish: 5 years
English: 5 years
Science: (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) 5 years
Mathematics: 5 years
History: 5 years (including U.S. History and Macroeconomics)
Physical Education: 4 years
Fine Arts: 1 semester
Computer Technology: 1 year
History of Nicaragua (Spanish): 1 semester
Geography of Nicaragua (Spanish): 1 semester
Civics (Spanish): 1 semester
Philosophy (Spanish): 1 semester
Sociology: 1 semester
