THE SCHOOL

The American School of Asuncion, founded in 1955, is a highly selective co-educational day school, which offers an instructional program from prekindergarten through grade 12. The school is a bilingual, multi-cultural educational institution which incorporates U.S. and Paraguayan culture, language, pedagogy, and values in an educational program for United States, international,and Paraguayan students alike. The school is housed in a modern plant on approximately eleven acres of land. Included are art, science and computer laboratories, library, gymnasium, and several playing fields.

ACCREDITATION

The school is accredited in the United States by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and recognized in Paraguay by the Ministry of Education and Culture. ASA is also a member of the Association of American Schools in South America (AASSA) and recognized by the U.S. Office of Overseas Schools (A.O.S.).

ADMISSION

Admission to the secondary section of the American School of Asuncion is selective. Only those students intellectually capable of completing a demanding college preparatory program are admitted. Admission is based on prior academic record, standardized test scores, writing samples and an admission interview.

FACULTY

All teachers hold current certification from either the United States or Paraguay. Of the 66 members of the teaching staff, 44 are United States citizens.

CALENDAR

The calendar consists of two semesters. As the seasons are opposite from the northern hemisphere, the summer break falls between December and February. The first semester is in session from early August to mid December and the second from mid February to late June. The school day begins at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m. In the secondary school, classes are run on a modified block schedule which allows most classes to meet for 90 minutes every other day.

TESTING

The school uses a standardized testing program in order to help each student and his/her parents understand the student´s academic achievement as measured to other students. This information is also used by teachers to help strengthen students´ academic skills. The comparative data provides useful information in evaluating the total school program. Grades 3, 5, 7 and 9 are assessed each year with the Stanford Achievement Test, grades 10 and 11 sit for the Preliminary SAT/NMSQT (PSAT). All students in grade 11 are required to take the SAT I in June.

ACTIVITIES

Extracurricular activities are a part of each student´s and teacher´s commitment to the American School of Asuncion. Sporting events, field trips, music performances, cultural programs, student government, drama productions and numerous clubs provide activities for students, parents, and teachers. ASA has chapters of the National Honor Society and has an active Knowledge Bowl Team. Through its membership in the Association of American Schools in South American, ASA offers students in middle school and high school opportunities to interact with students of other international schools in varsity athletics, academics, and music. Participation in activities is contingent upon maintaining a 2.0 grade point average and upon having a good conduct clearance. A significant number of high school students attend summer camps and university programs.

CLASS RANK

Class sizes are small, admission is selective, and all courses are college preparatory No ranking system is used due to these factors.

GRADING SYSTEM

G.P.A.´s are weighted by calculating 5 percent at the end of each semester for successful completion of Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Courses which are not designated AP are not weighted.

CURRICULUM

The curriculum is a literacy-based curriculum, based on U.S. and the state of Virginia standards. High School courses at the American School of Asuncion are at the college preparatory level. Students must complete 32 units to fulfill graduation requirements to earn both an American diploma and a Paraguayan diploma. They must also maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade point average. School is in session from 8:00 – 3:30 p.m., five days a week. There are no study hall periods. Core subjects meet 3 hours and 45 minutes each week. A full credit is given for these courses.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT

ACADEMIC STATEMENT

The academic environment at the American School of Asuncion is demanding. All courses are taught at a college preparatory level. The typical student spends an average of two to three hours per night on homework and course preparation.

SAT RESULTS

The American School of Asuncion does not eliminate non-native English speakers from its statistical representation. These figures are from test results of juniors taking the SAT I in June.

COLLEGE ENTRANCE

United States