La Paz, Bolivia Report of what it's like to live there - 06/04/15
Personal Experiences from La Paz, Bolivia
School Name:
CEAMI Preschool and Daycare
Background Information:
1. Are you the parent of a child(ren) attending this school? A teacher at the school? Or both?
Parent
2. What grade or grades do/did your children attend at the school? During what year(s) did they attend the school?
Preschool
3. During what years were you affiliated with this school?
2015/16
4. What was your reason for living in the city where the school is located (e.g., government, military, corporate, NGO, retired)?
Government
5. Are other schools available to expatriates in this city? Why did you choose this particular school?
Our sponsor referred us to this school, as she had enrolled her children there 13 years earlier. It is near our home (20 minute walk down hill) and around the corner from the International School. The director speaks English as do a few of the teachers. They don't use one method of teaching, though Montessori is prominent, and they don't use TVs or computers.
Admissions & Welcome:
1. Are the admissions and placement procedures clearly stated to prospective families, either on the school website or through other means of communication?
A
2. How would you rate the school's support and welcome/integration of new students and their families, and why?
A
Administration & School Procedures:
1. Describe the general climate of the grade level that you teach or your child attends:
Fun. Our older daughter, 3, never has a dull day.
2. For the following attributes, down to the next blank box, grade your experience at the school on a scale of A (excellent) to F (unacceptable/terrible) and provide comments:<br><br>Overall fair and equitable treatment of all students and families:
A
3. How is the overall communication between teachers and parents, and the administration and parents? How is communication facilitated?
A This has been stellar for us. Even though I don't speak any Spanish, CEAMI has made a great effort at including and informing us of all their activities. The teachers are loving and dedicated to even the grumpiest unconsolable kid.
4. Aside from school fees, are there required expenses such as uniforms, laptops/tablets, musical instruments, or field trips that parents are expected to cover? What are the approximate costs?
No
5. Administration-parent communication:
A
The Administration requires a survey or personal interview to learn more about your child- down to sleeping arrangements and breastfeeding! All things that help them "get" the kid. Their in-depth knowledge of our girls has helped the girls adjust so quickly.
6. Teacher-student communication:
A
Our oldest was actually misplaced into a class above her age in the beginning because she was "so much bigger" than the locals her age. This turned out really well as the teacher spoke English. This helped her adjust and feel secure. However, now, teacher and student only communicate in Spanish!
7. Are there academic requirements such as trips or other activities that cost money in addition to school fees?
Yes. Trips to the planetarium, theater, and costumes for end of year celebrations
Academics & Resources:
1. What is the approximate teacher-to-student ratio in the grades that your child attended?
A, 1 teachers for every 6-8 kids
2. What fine arts electives are available (music, drama, visual arts)?
A+
Social & Emotional Well-Being:
1. Do expatriate students socialize with local students at the school? Are both groups successfully integrated into the school culture?
No. There are a lot of birthday invitations but most of the celebrations take place at school. This school has several other kids from other embassies, but as of now, we are the only Americans there.
Overall Impressions:
1. What is the greatest strength of this school?
They truly love little kids. The teachers enjoy what they do. They are sympathetic to our situation and language barrier.
2. Greatest challenge?
It is a half day program. We were able to drop our oldest off at 8am, much earlier than many of the other students arrive, but pick-up is no later than 1pm.
3. Would you choose this school again? Why?
Yes, and I did. My 20-month old just started attending school there as well. You do have to pay full tuition, even if you only go 2 or three days a week though.
