DIY schooling near SJDS

Submitted by evets on 10 October, 2006 - 06:30.

I've got plenty of room to put up a building for a small day school near El Ostional. I'm sort of thinking of a non profit making parent-administered school for mixed age pupils of 5 up employing as many tutors as needed with a minibus to collect and deliver our little darlings covering the area between, say, SJDS and the Costa border. For me this would fill a serious gap as I think it might for enough other folk in the area to make it workable. Any thoughts ?

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Good response

Submitted by evets on 13 October, 2006 - 05:27.

but is anyone in the SJDS area interested in this option for their kids.

Incidentally we have experience of mixed age teaching (not 5 to 12 in the same class !) à la 'avoir et etre' (if that film made it to the US) and it works extremely well

schooling

Submitted by elnido on 13 October, 2006 - 08:43.

I know that there are parents in and around SJDS, or planning to move here that are interested in this idea. However, having the school near Ostional or Playa Coco is the sticking point. The bus ride would be at least an hour on a good day and impossible on bad days (rivers to be crossed and condition of the road). Better would be nearer SJDS or maybe Rivas (for those in Tola region?).

Submitted by Tom R on 13 October, 2006 - 08:50.

DIY schooling near SJDS

Submitted by hambonebro on 12 October, 2006 - 10:19.

This is a link to wonderful community with a good school near El Ostional. In fact some of the foreign teachers in El Ostional are recruited through Parque Marítimo el Coco‘s social service program.

http://www.playaelcoco.com.ni/

err

Submitted by evets on 12 October, 2006 - 13:09.

Where's the school then - looks like a bit of advertising to me.

evets,

Submitted by cmoore56 on 12 October, 2006 - 13:45.

click on "Social Project" in the opening screen, then choose "Escuelita". Hope this helps.

Help!

Submitted by evets on 13 October, 2006 - 00:38.

All I can find is a rather worrying offer for 5 young Austrians to do social service there. I'm probably being stupid.

Try this

Submitted by cmoore56 on 13 October, 2006 - 07:05.

link: http://www.playaelcoco.com.ni/en/escuelitaStart

Thank you

Submitted by evets on 13 October, 2006 - 07:46.

Couldn't find that via the first link. Amazing what you find in such a quiet backwater. From my (selfish) point of view the school may not be appropriate as it is since my sprog will be 13 or 14 when we finally settle here but it is a promising foundation. Maybe makes more sense to work on improving/adding to the skill levels in this school that reinventing the wheel. I'll try and make contact (unless you know someone personally). Thanks again for your help

Submitted by Tom R on 13 October, 2006 - 08:02.

Yea and

Submitted by toms on 13 October, 2006 - 04:06.

They are probably just looking a way to get out of their military service. might not have any qualifications like me anyway.

Lyin' Farmer John Wayne

schooling

Submitted by andy on 11 October, 2006 - 17:29.

Dave, AKA Big Wave Dave's, and I have had this same conversation. I believe there are plenty of people who can and would like to teach the children in the area. He mentioned that he could and would love to teach English literature. I hope he doesn't mind me mentioning this.

If I can help (I teach mathematics in the US) let me know. I plan to move into the San Jorge area soon. So this is much closer to you than Managua.

schooling

Submitted by dirtbag on 11 October, 2006 - 14:41.

I admire your premise, however is seems like a can of worms. You have a 12yr old, different culture-background and educational standard I presume not from Nicaragua. Difficult for any Parent, anywhere, relocating. You mentioned 5yrs old and up, from 5yrs to twelve is quite an "Up" I assume that in general, any private school would require sufficient teachers qualified, pertaining to Grades and Standards. Maybe the suggestion of approaching the Uiversity Of Managua would be a good idea, at least for an overview from the Faculty. I'll bet there are several "Mission Schools around that could do with assistance, possibly a merger. In the long run there are two issues to resolve, priority one being your daughter, and then how can you go about organising a school for like minded parents and their kids. Hopefully, you will get more response from "Inside Nica" members. you deserve more dialogue on the subject. Best of Luck. , .

For what its worth

Submitted by Tom R on 11 October, 2006 - 15:05.

The American Nicaraguan School shows their curriculum on this page. http://www.ans.edu.ni/General_Info/Curriculum.html

This school is a bit expensive for myself, however comparibably for a school like this in the US, this one is extremely cheap. At one time there was a Teacher from this school, posting on Nicaliving. The last post I heard from him was that he was Kidnapped and now he was safe? Maybe he was Kidnapped again?

In anycase maybe with your funding, they might be interested in adding a new campus? Assuming this is what you are looking for in a school

Submitted by Tom R on 12 October, 2006 - 14:05.

do you know the cost?

Submitted by Che Guevara on 11 October, 2006 - 15:15.

and no affiliation with us gov't? why do i ask? i have been stationed where dod had schools.

Submitted by Tom R on 11 October, 2006 - 15:36.

cost

Submitted by Tom R on 11 October, 2006 - 15:31.

List of fees: http://www.ans.edu.ni/Admissions/ANS_Tuition_Table_2006_2007.pdf

So there is an initial enrollment fee, a Construction fee for new Students.

Registration, Technology, and Graduation fees per year

and Monthly tuition costs among a few other costs.

Some of the schools I have been looking at for my daughter (without web pages) are running in the $60-$75 range per month without any other fees. This includes the bus that picks them up and field trips. Icall these more of a mid price range for schools. Right now our Private Catholic school is running 180 cordobas per month plus a few additional fees for parties and supplies.

IIRC,

Submitted by cmoore56 on 11 October, 2006 - 19:03.

there is no subsidy from the US government whatsoever. I do know that it is a US accredited school (Southern Schools Accreditation). I attended this school (before the '72 earthquake) - I also attended El Teresiano (which, Juan Ramón, is an excellent school). I have no idea of what El Teresiano charges these days. I know one of the guidance counselors at ANS, Rachel Smith-Vaughan. She's married to one of my life-long friends, who also was born in Nicaragua.

El Teresiano

Submitted by Tom R on 11 October, 2006 - 19:13.

You think this school is still around? I would be curious to find more info about it, Can't seem to find any info.

Yup, it is!

Submitted by cmoore56 on 11 October, 2006 - 19:29.

here's a link to it: http://www.teresiano.edu.ni/ . Las monjas que yo conocí eran las mejores del mundo. Claro, eso fue hace muchos años ya! Pero todavía está...

thanks

Submitted by Tom R on 11 October, 2006 - 20:33.

looks like an interesting school and its close by, I am going to send them an email and get some more info.

Thanks

Well,

Submitted by cmoore56 on 11 October, 2006 - 20:46.

of course, you're welcome! I hope something turns out for you!

Just a thought...

Submitted by Tom R on 11 October, 2006 - 13:45.

It would be nice to build a school and pay the fees to run the school, since you have the land. However, why not visit some central schools in the area, and offer to put the same amount of money into their schools. That is adding to the classrooms, give the teachers additional funding for salary as well as school programs, and equipment. Throw in the bus as well, and pick up the children that the school is inaccesible to.

OK

Submitted by evets on 11 October, 2006 - 13:51.

Help me to do it. Without being too denigrating of the local Nica schools I don't know how I can bring a 12 year old educated to (very good) French standards and expect her to survive. All I want is for my daughter to have the same chances in her future life as she would have in a 'First World' country. How do I achieve this in Nica ?

I don't like the school near

Submitted by toms on 11 October, 2006 - 18:57.

to my home, it is a church school/orphanage that is trying to make do.

My children are in quite a big class and get not very much personal attention.

I have contracted for the next year a Nica. Certifyed teacher to give classes to my 4 kids (all under 12ys) in my home, I think this will be better for them.

Lyin' Farmer John Wayne

Home schooling

Submitted by Jack Davies on 12 October, 2006 - 04:16.

My kids took the first eight years of their schooling at our lodge in the Yukon with a correspondence course and they couldn't have turned out better. If they worked hard enough they could be finished by noon time. Develops good work habits.

I was homeschooled

Submitted by cmoore56 on 12 October, 2006 - 07:32.

in Nicaragua when my family lived on our farm. We used the Calvert School curriculum, which was great. The reason one finishes up early is that since it is one-on-one centered, you can get everything done in way less time than in a traditional school setting. It was one of the best things that could've happened to me.

thats the problem here

Submitted by toms on 12 October, 2006 - 04:34.

they are finished by noon time and this is entirely to short...

the quality is bad at best...

Lyin' Farmer John Wayne

We discussed a long time

Submitted by Tom R on 11 October, 2006 - 14:08.

We discussed a long time back, Home schooling. The advantages and disadvantages in Nicaragua.

Maybe I misunderstood the original post, I thought this pertained more towards the community and not what you expect your daughter to learn.

I have been looking at schools in Managua for my 5 year old daughter. She is presently in a Catholic school, that is on the same curriculum of any public schools. After 1 more year she will have to attend a higher level school. Although I have no problem with the public schools, I know that there are other areas of study which I would like the school to emphasize more than that of a public school.

We have on occasion visited several private schools in Managua, however I am on a limited budget and I just can't afford to pay the prices that the Politicians in Nicaragua are paying to send their children to school. There are however many mid price ranged schools that offer what I am looking for.

The city is a bit of a distance from your property, I do not know of any programs that are close to you. I also could not assume that it would be easy to add or change a public school curriculum, even with the €'s.

I also have no idea what is involved in a French education, so I could not compare it to a Nicaraguan school education, nor a US education.

Juan

Submitted by evets on 11 October, 2006 - 14:17.

No, this is an attempt to provide something for the community but which will let me feel comfortable about relocating my daughter. If I feel happy about that then others also should feel they can move into the community bringing their kids so the general standard of education/skills/etc must rise. If that means the current local community are on the sidelines for a short while then so be it. Does that make sense ?

Submitted by Tom R on 11 October, 2006 - 14:29.

Well thanks

Submitted by evets on 11 October, 2006 - 13:28.

For the overwhelmng response. I'll delete this post on 12 October and go for DIY.

see, patience......

Submitted by Che Guevara on 12 October, 2006 - 18:22.

this became a good thread.

Yes

Submitted by evets on 13 October, 2006 - 00:34.

it did, but no answers to the original question !!

elnido answered the......

Submitted by Che Guevara on 13 October, 2006 - 09:35.

way i thought would be the most responsive.

Yes

Submitted by evets on 13 October, 2006 - 09:50.

You might be right. Perhaps in time more people might move into the El Ostional area and shift the SJDS axis a bit. It is, as you no doubt know, an absolutely beautiful area and, without being any more unkind to SJDS than my last blog, IF development is handled sympathetically and not like the nearby Yankee agent orange disaster, might turn out to be a good investment. That's what I've bet my money on anyway. Of course (selfish again) SJDS is as difficult for me as El O is for SJDS. IF (all Nica ifs are in capitals) the coast road really does start from the border then we will be on a good road before SJDS. IF.

BTW the response to this post has been most impressive in quality and content. Thanks to all who have contributed

i liked the idea....

Submitted by Che Guevara on 11 October, 2006 - 13:47.

but since i live in the states, with 15 -20 years before i retire, my kids will be educated here. i did like the idea. even made me think of something to do in retirement. if i ever get there. don't take it down, very noble thought.

Thanks

Submitted by evets on 11 October, 2006 - 14:01.

This was a genuine non profit offer. I'm surprised that no-one actually responded but there it is. The last thing I want is a school for Gringos and I'm sure there are ways of integrating a 'private' school into the Nica system but how do you cope with a child who is currently doing calculus and Ancient Greek history who would be dropped into an environment where writing your name is a big deal.

Don't anyone take this as a put down of the Nica education system; it is just not yet up to speed with others and the idea of adopting the 'lowest common denominator' (ie I can write my name) is not acceptable. Please help me with this.

I wouldn't go that far.

Submitted by Tom R on 11 October, 2006 - 14:12.

"where writing your name is a big deal."

Don't believe I knew Calculus till I was in 12th grade :)

I suppose that there are people that have the education and the know how to tutor your daughter or any other gifted students. I would suppose the best idea would be getting in touch with the Universities in Managua.

Sorry

Submitted by evets on 11 October, 2006 - 14:21.

There is no insult to Nica's educational standards intended. Anything I can do to help improve Nica education I'll do. I just bought a plot of land from three Nica farmers, only one could write his name yet I gave them several tens of thousand dollars each. I felt incapable of knowing how they would cope with this and if I was doing them a favour or destroying them.