Escuela Campo Alegre is a private, non-profit, co-educational day school that provides educational services for students from the ages of 3 to 18. The school was founded in 1937 and is accredited by the Council of International Schools and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. ECA is an IB World School. ECA has around 500 students that represent over 40 nationalities.
image: Asdrubal Yanez
The school mission is to provide students with a U.S.-style education that inspires students to achieve academic excellence and personal development so that they are prepared for future studies and for becoming responsible global citizens.
Facilities
ECA has an impressive looking campus. Facilities include a modern library and media center; art, music and drama centers for each division; technology centers for each division; 2 gyms; 3 basketball and volleyball courts; a 630-seat theater; 2 tennis courts; science labs for each division; an early childhood center; 4 mobile labs; a cafeteria; a swimming pool and air-conditioned classrooms.
Curriculum
The school has the usual American model of an Elementary School, a Middle School and a High School. ECA uses an modified American-style standards-based curriculum. High School graduates receive an American High School Diploma. The IB Diploma Program is available for students in Grade 11 and Grade 12. An ESL program is provided for students that need to develop their English language skills.
Extracurricular Activities
ECA offers a range of activities including music, drama, community service, chess, Environmental Club, Junior Model United Nations, volleyball, soccer, basketball, swimming and softball. School athletic teams play in competitive local and regional tournaments.
Technology
The campus has wireless internet. Each classroom has computers with internet access. There are 4 wireless mobile labs available. ECA has a 1:1 netbook program for students in Middle School and High School.
Professional Development
ECA supports professional development. The school has Wednesday afternoon dedicated to PD work. Teachers are expected to actively pursue professional growth activities. PD opportunities include on-site advanced degree programs, regional PD conferences, summer workshops and courses, and weekly PD work.
Employment
ECA is a school that offers complete information for new teachers (with the exception of the salary schedule). I don’t know why other schools don’t do this.
Initial contracts are two years. An excellent handbook is available online. The school uses a salary schedule; teachers can begin at Step 9. Benefits include a profit-sharing bonus, a vacation bonus, severance pay, an overseas premium based on the Step System, a retirement plan, a settling-in allowance, a shipping allowance, an incidental travel expenses allowance, a relocation allowance of up to $1,800, free furnished housing, annual home leave, health insurance, life insurance, wellness allowance, a TIE membership, an allowance for dues for professional organizations, bereavement leave, personal leave, recruitment leave, free tuition for dependents and an attendance bonus. Teachers are exempted from Venezuelan taxes for the first two years.
About Caracas
Caracas is the capital of the country. It has a metropolitan population of around 4 million. The city sits at an elevation of around 900 meters, but is close to the Caribbean Sea. Caracas has a tropical savanna climate with mild temperatures because of its elevation.
The cost of living is relatively high for the area. Lots of fast food places are available like Domino’s, Papa John’s, Pizza Hut, Sushi to go, and How Kow. Cable TV is available for those teachers who enjoy watching TV. The city has several malls, restaurants, theaters and supermarkets. Among its museums are the Museum of Colonial Art, the Children’s Museum, The Natural Science Museum and the Bolivarian Museum.
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