American School of Recife

The American School of Recife ( Escola Americana do Recife, or EAR, in Portuguese) is a bilingual school located in the city of Recife, Brazil.

The American School of Recife, founded in 1957, is a private, coeducational day school which offers an instructional program from early childhood through grade 12 for students of all nationalities. The School does not have any religious affiliation. The school year comprises 2 semesters extending from early August to mid-December and from early February to mid-June.

Organization

The School is governed by a 7-member Board of Directors elected for a 2-year term by the General Assembly composed of the parents of children enrolled in the school. The School is not incorporated in the United States. It is officially registered in the State of Pernambuco as a Civil Society with tax-exempt status under Brazilian law.

Curriculum:

The curriculum is mainly that of U.S. general academic, preparatory schools. Instruction is in English. All students above pre-kindergarten are required to study Portuguese. English-as-a-second-language and Portuguese-as-a-second-language are offered to students who are not proficient in either language. Physical education is required for all students. Electives include subjects such as Model United Nations, French, Spanish, genetics, computer courses, art, drama, music, photography, journalism and AP courses. The School is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and is recognized by the State of Pernambuco Department of Education. Most of the graduates go on to colleges and universities in the United States, Europe, or Brazil.

Faculty

In the 2003-2004 school year, there are 25 full-time and 8 part-time faculty members, including 14 U.S. citizens, 14 Brazilians, and 5 third-country nationals.

Enrollment

At the beginning of the 2003-2004 school year, enrollment was 269 (PK-K: 20; grades 1-5: 107; grades 6-8: 73; and grades 9-12: 69). Of the total, 20 were U.S. citizens, 190 were host-country nationals, and 59 were third-country nationals.

Facilities

The school occupies an 8.5 acre (34,000 m²) site in a residential area of Recife. The elementary and high schools are in separate buildings. Facilities include 32 classrooms, a science laboratory, a music room, a small theater, a technology lab, a library, a cafeteria, a lunch area, a covered court, a faculty resource center, a maintenance building, the principal’s office, the guidance counselor’s office, the infirmary, administrative offices, a soccer field, exercise room, and playgrounds.

Finances

In the 2003-2004 school year, almost all income derives from tuition. Annual tuition rates are: Early Childhood: $2,667; PK-5: $5,736; and grades 6-12: $6,168. A one-time contribution of $2,000 to the Capital Improvement Fund is paid upon entry. There is an initial registration fee of $120 and a $60 re-registration fee at the end of each school year for each student continuing in the school. Materials and book fee for the Early Childhood Program is $374, and $528 for PK-12th grade paid annually. . (All fees are quoted in U.S. dollars.)

Sports

The EAR is home of the Recife Eagles. The Eagles have a long history of victories in a tournament called the Friendship Tournament. There are two Friendship Tournaments a year, one being called the "mini" Friendship Tournament and the other one called the "big" Friendship Tournament. The "mini" tournament only involves the EAR, the Pan-American School of Bahia (PASB), and sometimes a guest school. The "big" tournament involves the PASB, the Escola Americana de Belo Horizonte (EABH), and the International School of Curitiba. Only international or biligual schools from Brazil engage in this event.

External links

* [http://www.ear.com.br Website (in English and Portuguese)]
* [http://www.state.gov/m/a/os/1528.htm U.S. State Department page]