Albert Einstein International School of San Pedro Sula

The Albert Einstein International School of San Pedro Sula (AEIS) is a college preparatory international school located in San Pedro Sula, the second largest and industrial city of Honduras. It is a private, non-profit, coeducational day school, which offers an American education system to Honduran and foreign students in San Pedro Sula. The school offers a comprehensive college preparatory program covering all sections, from kindergarten through 12th grade. The school, previously named Albert Einstein School of San Pedro Sula or Escuela Bilingue Albert Einstein in Spanish was founded in 1990.

In 2005, the school administration decided to make a total change to the school itself. The change consisted in making the institution an international school for San Pedro Sula. The change was consisted in several aspects; including a change in school governance, a change in the curriculum to a program modeled on sound United States educational practices, more bilateral relations with U.S. entities, the creation of a U.S. organization that can govern the school offering a U.S.- type education with international standards, creation of U.S. educational programs and services in the school, creation of the American High School program, addition of North American staff to the school, etc.

In April 2006, the school was acquired into partnership by the Albert Einstein International Educational Corporation, a U.S. corporation with headquarter office in the United States governed by Honduran and American citizens. This organization makes general assemblies in the United States every two months in order to check school's improvement. Although this school is located in Honduras, AEIS is a tax-exempt school in the United States. Also the school is registered and recognized by the NATO.

This preparatory school started as a bilingual school with 7 students. Now, it is an international school with 220 students.

In the American High School program, students need to earn 24 carnegie credits in order to get the High School diploma. Additionally, students have a variety of programs in order to be ready to attend U.S. colleges/universities. Those programs are the Honors Program, a program composed by rigorous courses in which the student gains strength and preparation for U.S. college/university courses. Another program is the Advanced Placement program "AP", a program with rigorous courses in which the student gets college/university credits while the student attends High School. Those credits are valid in all U.S. colleges/universities and important universities around the world. The AP program is offered in U.S. High Schools and American International overseas schools. The AP courses at A.E.I.S. are instructed by certified professors that have taught in prestigious U.S. universities such as Stanford U., Princeton U., Michigan State U, and Harvard University.

Admissions

In Albert Einstein International School of San Pedro Sula (AEIS), registration is different comparing to other schools in San Pedro Sula. Registration starts in May. The matriculation period is opened to all students. Prospective parents need to pay a Registration fee which is US$100.00. Tuition costs vary the grade in which the student is registered. Tuition and fees start from US$1200.00.

Student Body and Faculty

The student body is around 220 students; composed by 94% Hondurans, 5% Americans, 1% other nationalities. The faculty is composed by 35% U.S. and Canadian, 5% Guatemalan, and 60% Honduran teachers.

Activities

The school offers a variety of co-curricular and extracurricular activities. Most activities are the Yearbook club, Model United Nations in which students attend a conference in the United States hosted by the University of Chicago, Chess, Folkloric groups, U.S. Beta Club, etc.

Athletics

The school's sport strength is Volleyball. Also the school offers Soccer. A.E.I.S. participates in several regional tournaments. A.E.I.S. varsity High School athletes can easily apply to Division I or II of U.S. universities because all High School courses are accredited by the NCAA.

Facilities

The school is located in the Los Andes neighborhood, one of the most fashionable and safe suburbs of San Pedro Sula. The one- acre campus is divided in 5 areas. The school has 14 classrooms, including a Computer Lab in the Elementary, Middle and High School buildings. Also, there is a library located at the Junior High School area. The administrative offices and the apartment residency for foreign teachers are located in separate areas.

In 2006, the school acquired a new land, called "Area E" of the campus. At Area E, the school plans to make a major project in order to meet international standards. The project consists on making a new gymnasium, a media center, and a Science Lab. The first part of the project will be done by January 2008, and the second part by May 2008. The gymnasium will have all the basic amenities associated with comparable facilities in the United States. The media center will replace the current Library and the Science Laboratory will have all the basic amenities associated with comparable facilities at international schools. The project will be administered by the U.S. Middle States Council and the Albert Einstein International Educational Corporation.

In addition, the campus has 2 outdoor hard surface courts for basketball, volleyball and soccer.

References

* [http://www.tiempo.hn/mostrar_noticia.php?id=60326&seccion=5 First U.S. Beta Club Chapter in Latin America]

External links

* [http://www.aeschool.net/ Official School Website]
* [http://apps.collegeboard.com/cbsearch/searchMInstitution.jsp?i_state=&searchaction=searchOut Member schools of U.S. College Board]
* [http://www.state.nj.us/highereducation/Mercer-CollegeBoardGrant.htm The State of New Jersey Website]