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AcAdemiA cotopAxiQuito, ecuAdor

directorJuly 1, 2019

cotopaxi.k12.ec

the position

Academia Cotopaxi, Quito’s premier international school for students aged 12 months to grade 12, seeks a Director to begin July 1st, 2019. With a truly international community and excellent reputation, Academia Cotopaxi has long been distinguished by its curriculum, which includes the International Baccalaureate Diploma and Primary Years Program as well as an American-equivalent college preparatory course of study. Now, Academia Cotopaxi seeks an experienced, collaborative, and visionary leader who will build on the school’s strengths in order to promote continued innovation in the school’s academic program, ensure organizational sustainability, and advance Academia Cotopaxi’s place as a leader among international schools.

school history

Academia Cotopaxi was founded in 1959 by the parents of 20 students of U.S. expats working primarily with the Ecuadorian government who were seeking a quality English-language international education. In its first ten years, the school’s enrollment fluctuated reaching several hundred students and experiencing a decline in the early 1970’s. The strategic leadership of a committed Board of Directors working closely with the director at the time, Dr. Donald Fournier, resulted in enrollment growth and greater stability in the faculty. Cotopaxi’s reputation as a leading international school grew, and in 1983 it became the first school in Ecuador authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. In 1990, Academia Cotopaxi moved to a new purpose built facility, where the main campus is currently housed.

Currently, Academia Cotopaxi enjoys a stable enrollment (850 students including Academia Cotopaxi and IMAGINE), a collaborative and dynamic faculty with an equal pay scale for local and international hires (a unique situation among South American international schools), and is accredited by NEASC, approved by the Ecuadorian Ministry of Education and recognized by the IB. Over the course of the past 15 years, Cotopaxi has continued to grow, introducing new programs

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Mission

We are an English language based international learning community that values diversity; embraces a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence; and inspires empathetic and ethical student leaders.


and investing in new facilities in order to create a learning community where students can develop to their full potential. The current strategic plan, adopted in 2014, offers a vision for the school’s continued development, under the leadership of the current director, Madeleine Heide.

the school

Academia Cotopaxi is a self-described “learning community” comprised of 647 students age 3 through grade 12. Academia Cotopaxi is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, the Ecuadorian Ministry of Education, and authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization to offer the PYP and IBDP. With 95 faculty members, 54% of whom are North American and 35% of whom are Ecuadorian, Academia Cotopaxi provides a truly international community grounded in diversity and inclusion. Forty-two percent of students are Ecuadorian, and the remainder of the student body represents 38 nationalities from countries around the world.

Academia Cotopaxi’s bilingual preschool, IMAGINE, enrolls an additional 200 students beginning at twelve months of age on two sites, one on the AC campus and the second in the valley town of Cumbaya. IMAGINE, which opened in 2004, embodies an extension of Academia Cotopaxi’s mission to foster innovation, collaboration, and excellence.

The ONE Institute, previously known as Academia Cotopaxi’s Language Center, was founded in 2000 to meet the language-learning needs of the broader Quito community through business and corporate training, community outreach programs, college entrance support, and testing preparation. Housed on the Academia Cotopaxi campus, ONE, an acronym for “Open, New, Empowerment,” offers a community-centered program and enhances the school’s relationship with the city of Quito.

AcAdemics

Embracing a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence, Academia Cotopaxi is committed to a student-centered approach to educating the whole child. In order to meet the changing needs of the modern world, Academia Cotopaxi promotes conceptual, competency, and character learning in which students play an active role in their own development. In addition, the school fosters new initiatives that prepare students to become thoughtful users of technology; adept problem solvers, communicators, and innovators; and true global citizens.

These goals are served by an academic program based in the International Baccalaureate curriculum, with IB’s Primary Years Program guiding instruction for younger students. In addition to the IB Diploma Program, graduates of Academia Cotopaxi are eligible for U.S. and Ecuadorian-equivalent diplomas, opening avenues to higher education around the world. Excellent teachers support student learning at all grade levels: 82% of faculty hold advanced degrees and the average faculty tenure is just over six years.

As a community that values all kinds of diversity and is committed to inclusion, Academia Cotopaxi is invested in supporting students with a broad range of learning needs. In 2014, the Academia Cotopaxi community renewed its long-term commitment to expanding the school’s learning services, and today, support is offered for students with a range of learning and developmental requirements, mild to intense special needs, English as a Learning Language (ELL) and accommodations for gifted children.

Technology is another key facet of the Academia Cotopaxi experience, with a Bring Your Own Device program in effect across grade levels. While this initiative aims to build digital literacy and



technological skills, faculty members are also committed to teaching students balance, setting limitations on devices meant to promote responsible use.

elementAry school

Academia Cotopaxi’s elementary school nurtures the academic, social, and emotional growth of students aged 12 months through fifth grade by linking IMAGINE and Early Childhood, laying a strong foundation for lifelong learning. Grounded in IB’s Primary Years Program, the elementary school curriculum is organized around units of inquiry that advance transdisciplinary thinking, international-mindedness, and strong personal values. In addition, Academia Cotopaxi’s program adheres to the standards of the American Education Reaches Out (AERO) curriculum for literacy, science, social studies, and math, ensuring that students keep pace with their peers internationally. At the same time, instruction draws regularly on the unique local resources of Quito; Spanish classes begin in kindergarten, and field trips and other activities allow students to fully appreciate their surroundings. Art, music, physical education, technology integration, and library classes led by specialists further enrich the elementary curriculum.

Overall, Academia Cotopaxi elementary schoolers thrive in an environment that emphasizes both rigor and balance: while students embrace academic challenge during the day, for the past three years, Academia Cotopaxi’s elementary has been a no-homework environment. By giving students and their families the gift of time to read, play, enjoy the outdoors, and pursue personal passions through inspirational protects, Academia Cotopaxi hopes to promote meaningful childhood experiences both during and beyond the school day.

middle school

Academia Cotopaxi’s middle school, encompassing grades six through eight, provides a bridge between the elementary and high school programs. A team of passionate faculty supports students during this pivotal transition time. Students take core subjects and have the opportunity to choose electives courses such as art, music, design technology, robotics. During a mentor period, known as Cougar Time, students develop connections with teachers outside traditional class settings, benefiting from the mentorship and guidance of adults in matters academic, social, and emotional. Both in and out of the classroom, Academia Cotopaxi’s middle schoolers work to understand how they can contribute to their local environment and play a role in the broader global community, engaging in community service projects and exploratory classes that shape this growth.

high school

Cotopaxi’s high school is centered on a college preparatory program of study, preparing students in Academia Cotopaxi’s high school is centered on a college preparatory program of study, preparing students in grades nine through twelve to thrive at colleges and universities around the world. The curriculum allows students to fulfill the requirements for a U.S.-accredited diploma, the International Baccalaureate Diploma and the optional Ecuadorian Diploma. In 2017, 63% of Academia Cotopaxi students chose to pursue the full IB diploma, and 88% of that number earned full IB diplomas.

Students in grades 9 and 10 complete eight classes each year, including English, Spanish, history, science, and math as well as required electives in physical education, fine arts, and technology. ELL and learning support services, as well as a study support class, are available to assist students in their learning, while mentor groups of 8 to 10 students and one teacher meet weekly, providing yet



another layer of support.

In grades 11 and 12, students take seven classes each year, honing in on particular areas of interest as they pursue increasingly challenging material. All high schoolers at Academia Cotopaxi take at least one IB course. Students collaboratively work with faculty on a wide range of research projects.

Arts And Athletics

At Academia Cotopaxi, the arts are considered an integral part of each child’s education. Music classes begin at the elementary level, allowing students to begin training their ears, minds, and voices. Every child has the opportunity to learn an instrument, with instruction in strings, piano, and band, and numerous opportunities for performance. In the visual arts, students in Pre-K through

Colleges and universities attended by the classes of 2016 and 2017 include:

Arizona State UniversityBoston CollegeClark University Concordia University Texas Florida International UniversityGeorgia Institute of TechnologyLoyola University Chicago

college plAcement

Loyola University New Orleans Lund University (Sweden) Northeastern University Pepperdine UniversitySanta Clara UniversitySchool of the Art Institute of Chicago Seton Hall UniversitySt. Thomas UniversityUniversidad San Francisco de Quito (Ecuador)

University of British Columbia (Canada)University of Cambridge (U.K.) University of Colorado, BoulderUniversity of Melbourne (Australia) University of New MexicoUniversity of Rhode IslandUniversity of TampaUniversity of Toronto (Canada)University of Washington

eighth grade experiment with media and technique in weekly classes. Academia Cotopaxi’s growing drama program begins in middle school, allowing students exposure to yet another opportunity for creative expression. Later in their Academia Cotopaxi careers, IB courses offer dedicated high school students the opportunity to delve deep into the study of music and art.

The school’s athletic program is another cornerstone of the Academia Cotopaxi experience, with students of all ages developing self-confidence, sportsmanship, and teamwork through age-appropriate physical education. Middle and high school students may compete for the Cougars on the school’s soccer, volleyball, basketball, and swimming teams, which play locally, nationally, and internationally in games and tournaments.

school life

Life at Academia Cotopaxi is enhanced by extracurricular activities, school trips, and regular community service. Beginning in kindergarten, students benefit from after-school offerings including sports, arts, music, drama, language, and life skills programs. These extracurricular opportunities, which continue through high school, serve to both reinforce classroom learning and encourage students to discover and pursue new passions. For high schoolers, student government provides the chance for students to leave their mark on the school, taking the initiative to create an impact in the Academia Cotopaxi community as representatives of their peers.

Educational field trips take students from local museums to biodiverse locations across the country, where high schoolers study science and engage with the natural world. Each fall, Discover Ecuador trips allow students to get to know peers as they perform service in the community. Beginning in sixth grade, students participate in year-long community service projects that foster empathy, collaboration,



and a sense of citizenship in the world around them.

physicAl cAmpus

Located in the northern part of the city of Quito, the main Academia Cotopaxi campus consists of 18,000 square meters of construction. With facilities including a 430-seat auditorium, a black-box theater, and a Maker Space, the campus provides ample opportunities for students to exercise their creativity; tennis and basketball courts, a natural grass soccer field, semi-Olympic swimming pool, and recently constructed Athletic Center support the activities of student athletes. Academia Cotopaxi is also home to the largest school library in Ecuador, with over 35,000 volumes—a testament to the place of the school’s academic program in Quito as a whole.

Quito, ecuAdor

Situated in the Andes Mountains, Quito is known for its history, culture, and natural beauty. The first capital city to be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Quito features an unusually well-preserved city center, dominated by Spanish-colonial buildings dating back more than 500 years. With a population of about 2.6 million residents, Quito is also home to universities, museums, theatres, cultural centers, and a variety of restaurants featuring cuisines from around the world.

Ecuador’s varied landscape, often described as “four worlds in one place” offers easy access to diverse scenery: from the Pacific coast and the peaks of the Andes, to the Amazon rainforest and the Galapagos Islands. Quito itself offers parks and hiking trails, while opportunities abound for weekend and overnight trips —including to Cotopaxi, an active volcano about 50 kilometers to the south. In the last several years, Quito has been recognized as an up-and-coming tourist destination,

and in 2013, the city was named the World’s Leading Green Destination by the World Travel Awards.

opportunities And chAllenges

Opportunities for the next Director will include:• a warm, welcoming community• the school’s strong commitment towards rigor, differentiation & inclusion• the school’s reputation as an academic model school with innovative programs• a committed, well balanced & innovative teaching staff• a visionary & dynamic team of administrators

Challenges for the next Director will include:• updating an aging campus that needs renovation to support 21st-century approaches to education• finding creative approaches to engage more parents in the life of the school• navigating an uncertain economic climate • identifying alternative revenue sources to supplement a tuition fee-dependent budget• continuing to be flexible in responding to unpredictable government regulations• continuing to develop the school’s identity as an English-language international school in a

Spanish-speaking environment.

desired QuAlities And QuAlificAtions This is an outstanding opportunity for a school leader who is both inspired by Academia Cotopaxi’s strengths and values and invested in its continuing evolution, ready to seek opportunities to improve.


This is not a school for a top-down administrator who is looking to make major changes; rather, it is a place for a person who is excited by the opportunity to build on existing strengths, working with faculty and staff to lead the school forward. This is a position for an educator who understands why schools exist; who is comfortable being a visible presence in the life of the school; and who will take the time to understand the school’s culture and values in order to guide Academia Cotopaxi’s ongoing growth and development.

A strong candidate for the position of Director will be: • a visionary, innovative, and creative thinker• a visible, personable and engaged leader • an experienced international school administrator• an individual committed to inclusion, who respects and values what is being done at Academia

Cotopaxi• a professional who understands the operational side of running a school • an open-minded listener • a collaborative, empowering team-builder • preferably, a Spanish speaker with an understanding of and appreciation for Latin American culture

Moreover, the new Director will need to be a flexible strategic thinker who can work with the Board to address several key issues in the immediate and longer-term future, including:

• Continuing to develop the school’s educational program at Academia Cotopaxi campus, IMAGINE and The One Institute, ensuring that new initiatives are prioritized without overwhelming staff

• Reinforcing and supporting the community nature of Academia Cotopaxi, with its proud spirit of warmth, tolerance, respect, and inclusion

• Ensuring that Academia Cotopaxi is always supported and reinforced by good governance and

[email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com 10The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com


a committed Board that understands its role in the life of the school and collaborates with the Director to make decisions that are always in the best interests of students

• Embracing the school’s role as a model and leader of best educational practices for the city, the country, and the region

• Seeking additional sources of external funding and developing an overall advancement program

to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should submit electronically as separate documents (preferably as PDFs) the following materials:

• Formal cover letter for the position • Current résumé• Statement of educational philosophy and leadership practice• List of five references with name, title, phone number and e-mail address of each (References will not be

contacted without the candidate’s permission. All inquiries are confidential.) to:

John Chandler Senior Consultant [email protected]

Art Charles Managing Associate, International Schools Practice [email protected]

Fred Wesson Senior Consultant [email protected]

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