GENERAL INFORMATION

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the American School of Asunción (ASA), a bilingual learning community of international and Paraguayan families, is to prepare responsible proactive world citizens in a student-centered caring environment through a college preparatory program that adheres to the highest U.S. and Paraguayan standards of excellence and to enable students to realize their full potential and become well-rounded life-long learners.

ASA HISTORY

The American School of Asunción was founded in 1956 by parents from the U.S. community. In 1959 Paraguayan students were enrolled for the first time through a Paraguayan government decree. The school buildings on the present site were inaugurated on July 4, 1963 by the United States. Ambassador and the Paraguayan Minister of Education. As ASA's grade offerings and student population has grown the school's physical plant has expanded to its present size.

ACCREDITATION AND STANDARDS

ASA is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and by the Paraguayan Ministry of Education and Culture. ASA is also recognized by the United States Department of State and is a member of the Association of American Schools in South America.

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

ASA offers a unique and exciting learning opportunity to students who wish to take full advantage of its cultural and linguistic diversity. At ASA all students have the opportunity to become bilingual. They are able to do so through a U.S. Standards-based program which also includes demanding Spanish language course offerings.

OUR DUAL PROGRAM

ASA's educational program enjoys full recognition of the Paraguayan Ministry of Education and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). The school's prescribed course of studies must be followed by all students whose language abilities permit them to do so. All students who complete the full course of studies, which includes certain core subjects in the areas of Spanish, Social Sciences, Paraguayan Social Studies, and Guaraní (grades 6-9), are eligible to receive a Paraguayan Diploma along with their U.S. Diploma. The Paraguayan Program Coordinator must be advised in writing if a student wishes to receive the graduation diploma issued by the Paraguayan Ministry of Education.

Those students whose levels of Spanish or Guaraní do not meet the language requirements of those courses taught in these languages shall take Spanish as a Second Language (SSL) and Host Country Culture (HCC) classes until they can be mainstreamed into the regular program. Those students who are mainstreamed into the regular classes will be given the option to be graded on a Pass/Fail basis during the transition.

Some students who transfer into our school after the 9th grade may not have taken the necessary coursework needed to meet our course requirements. For those students only, a specialized course of studies that meets as many of our program requirements as possible will be created in order for the student to be eligible to be admitted and graduate from our school.