School Profile

American Nicaraguan School (ANS), is a private, non-profit, coeducational multicultural institution, founded in 1944.  ANS is composed of students from more than 30 different nationalities. Providing a rigorous academic program through an American curriculum with classes taught in English. The School is governed by a seven member Board of Directors, with six members elected by the American Nicaraguan School’s parents, and one member appointed by the U.S. Embassy. The school community includes members of the diplomatic corps, foreign and local businesses, and international assistance groups working in Nicaragua.

Located on a 26-acre campus in Managua, Nicaragua, ANS has undergone major facilities renovations over the last several years in primary and secondary, with the new high school building inaugurated in 2011. Facilities also include two soccer fields, a track, a regulation size swimming pool, and a multipurpose covered athletic area. Technology and media resources include a 28,531-volume lending library, the largest of its kind in Nicaragua, and high-speed wireless Internet access across campus. ANS is accredited by Cognia (Formerly - AdvancED) the world leader in certification and accreditation of educational institutions that seek excellence, and by the Nicaraguan Ministry of Education (MINED).

ANS offers dynamic and innovative learning opportunities through a U.S. standards-based curriculum, designed to foster depth of understanding anchored in the school’s six core values.  ANS operates as a Primary School division (Pathways early learning for three- & four-year-olds to Grade 5) and a Secondary School division (Grades 6-12). ANS also offers inclusion services through personalized learning plans for students with exceptional needs.  While English is the language of instruction through all grade levels at ANS, students take Spanish class starting in Kindergarten. In secondary they are given the option of French or Chinese as an additional language.  Secondary students can opt to complete the Nicaraguan national diploma program in addition to the U.S. diploma. Rigorous and engaging coursework includes a senior year Capstone Project and an offering of 19 Advanced Placement courses. Courses are designed and delivered in alignment to standards across school divisions. The American Education Reaches Out (AERO) framework includes English language arts and mathematics standards aligned to Common Core State Standards; social studies through the four dimensions of the C3 Framework (college, career, and civic life); scientific practices through the NGSS standards; National Core Arts standards for visual and performing arts courses. Standards-based assessment practices reflect a school-wide commitment to the growth mindset, encouraging transfer of learning as meaningful contributions to society.

We define learning as the agency to honor your curiosity and engage in the rigor of authentic and complex problems, working together to find solutions in an inclusive and collaborative community.  We believe that when we have agency and rigor, our learning transcends time and space, taking us out into a future we create together.