San Juan Del Sur Day School
School Profile: A PreK-12 International School
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57% Nicaraguan | 43% International
Families from over 21 countries
35%+ receiving financial assistance
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Pre-School: 6-1
Pre-K: 6-1
Kindergarten: 6-1
Primary: 12-1
Upper School: 18-1
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17 Lead Teachers
7 Assistant Teachers
Academic Support Coordinator
School Counselor
Administrative Team Members
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175 Total Students
45 Early Childhood Students
79 Primary School Students (Grade 1-5)
51 Middle/ Upper School Students (Grade 6-12)
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San Juan del Sur Day School is proudly accredited by Cognia, a globally recognized organization that ensures educational institutions meet rigorous standards of quality and continuous improvement. In addition, our school is fully accredited by the Nicaraguan Ministry of Education (MINED), aligning our curriculum with national educational requirements while maintaining an international perspective. These accreditations reflect our commitment to providing a high-quality, globally-minded education that prepares our students for success both within Nicaragua and on the world stage.
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Our farm and forest campus spans 10 acres with over 20,000 square feet of thoughtfully designed learning spaces, including an art studio, a sustainability and ecology lab, a fully-equipped science laboratory, and innovative outdoor classrooms etc. . Each area is crafted to inspire creativity, foster hands-on learning, and promote a deep connection with the environment. Our facilities are a testament to our commitment to providing a holistic education that nurtures both the academic and personal growth of our students, preparing them to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
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Making us who we are. Core values are a set of personal qualities, fundamental beliefs, ideals or practices that inform how you conduct your life, both personally and professionally. Our values convey the beliefs that positively influence our behavior and the way we interact with individuals, groups and our community. They represent the deepest beliefs and sentiments to which we can aspire, and they shape our School community. As a school, we’re all about our school values.
These are the values that shape our School:
Compassion
Truthfulness
Peace
Respect
Responsibility
Service to others
Joyfulness
Gratitude
Respect for the Environment
Enthusiasm
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The teaching learning cycle continually answers three critical questions:
What do we want to learn?
How best will we learn?
How will we know what we have learned?
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The knowledge component is taught through six transdisciplinary themes of global significance that provide the framework for exploration and study.
Who we are
Where we are in place and time
How we express ourselves
How the world works
How we organize ourselves
Sharing the planet
The six transdisciplinary themes help teachers to develop a program of inquiries–in-depth investigations into important ideas, identified by the teachers, and requiring a high level of involvement on the part of the students. These inquiries are substantial, in-depth and last for several weeks.
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The Building Blocks are the core subjects found throughout our studies. They form the foundation of the learning environment and are the design elements used to create an orderly, stable, and accessible environment. These lessons target core-skills that need repetitive practice. This is where our students build the foundational skills, tools and know how to succeed. The attention to detail, hard work and repetition are underlying factors for proficiency. The six transdisciplinary themes are integrated into 6 subject areas:
English Language Arts
Spanish Language Arts
Social Studies
Mathematics
Arts
Science
Physical Education and Wellness
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To achieve a balance in learning, we emphasize five parts of the curriculum, which are called the Essential Elements.
The Elements are learning loops where learning can be focused on a particular topic. They are the generators of learning and knowledge-sharing. They are dynamic and iterative. This allows students to have a truly rewarding learning experience, grow as individuals, and remain involved in the learning process. The interconnected topics promote the students’ ever-expanding interests and levels of awareness.
Students are given the opportunity to: gain knowledge that is relevant and of global significance, develop an understanding of concepts, make connections throughout his or her learning, acquire transdisciplinary and disciplinary skills, develop attitudes that will lead to internationally-mindedness, and take action as a consequence of his or her learning. The five essential elements are:
Knowledge (What we want the students to know about)
Concepts (What we want the students to understand)
Skills (What we want the students to be able to do)
Attitudes (What we want the students to feel)
Action (How we want the students to act)
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At San Juan del Sur Day School, we empower students to thrive as engaged learners through our Sustainability program. By integrating rotating an ever evolving subject matter focused on life skills and regenerative practices such as gardening and mindfulness, and immersive nature based experiences, we nurture life-long learners with a deep sense of responsibility for our planet and the future. Through hands-on projects, students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills, while connecting with nature and their community. Our program fosters a passion for learning, a love for the environment, and a commitment to making a positive impact on the world.
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As students progress through our programs they emerge as confident, compassionate, and well-rounded individuals, ready to take on the challenges of high school and beyond. With a strong foundation in academics, character, and community, our graduates are prepared to thrive in a rapidly changing world and make a difference in their local and global communities.
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In our programs students have the opportunity to explore a wide range of subjects, including English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, Spanish, Arts, and Physical Education and Wellness. Through project-based learning, collaborative activities, and real-world applications, students develop essential skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and collaboration.
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At San Juan del Sur Day School, we want all our students to aim to achieve fluency in English and Spanish. We believe in the transformative power of bilingual education as a cornerstone of aca- demic excellence and cultural enrichment. We recognize the importance of nurturing students’ proficiency in both English and Spanish, providing them with the linguistic skills and cultural awareness necessary to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world. Bilingualism fosters cog- nitive development, enhances communication skills, and promotes cross-cultural understand- ing, enabling students to engage meaningfully with diverse perspectives and experiences. Core subject instruction is in English. Elective instruction is in Spanish or a combination of Spanish and English. Through our commitment to bilingual education, we strive to empower students to become global citizens who can navigate the complexities of our multicultural society with confidence and compassion.
* If minimum enrollment is not met for a specific class, the course may not be offered
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Our high school curriculum provides a dynamic platform for student exploration and skill development across core subjects, such as English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Spanish language, Arts and Design, Physical Education and Wellness, and Leadership, Innovation and Sustainability. Alongside these, students can pursue their individual interests through elective courses, independent study programs, and special academic initia- tives. We make sure our students earn both the International Cognia Diplo- ma (Grade 12) and the Nicaraguan Diploma (Grade 11), meeting academic standards from the United States and Nicaragua. With our San Juan del Sur Day School High School Diploma, our students are well-prepared for higher education globally.
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At San Juan del Sur Day School, we foster a culture of inclusivity, respect, and diversity, where every student is valued for their unique talents, perspectives, and contributions. Our supportive and close-knit community provides a nurturing and empowering environment where students feel safe to take risks, explore new ideas, and grow as individuals.
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Beyond the classroom, our students participate in diverse array of local programs. While most students take extracurricular off campus to surf, skate, dance, music and so on, San Juan del Sur Day School offers clubs such as Chess, Garden and DIY, and soccer club in the fall. These opportunities are constantly evolving and allow students to pursue their passions and interests outside of academics. Community service projects and cultural exchanges, allow students have ample opportunity to experience life and grow outside of academics.
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We place a strong emphasis on community and collaboration. Students are encouraged to work together, support one another, and contribute positively to their school community. Through extracurricular activities, service learning projects, and community events, students develop empathy, leadership skills, and a sense of responsibility to make a difference in the world.
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Our classrooms are vibrant hubs of learning, where students engage in hands-on activities, project-based learning, and real-world applications of their knowledge. Whether they're conducting science experiments, exploring historical events, or expressing themselves through art and creative writing, students are encouraged to question, investigate, and make connections across disciplines.