Head of Primary

The ABC is an internationally recognised values-based school which seeks to develop responsible outstanding citizens with a shared community belief that ‘effort leads to success.’

The ABC is in Santa Tecla near the capital city and is situated on a beautiful 13 acre site with science laboratories, libraries, a theatre, a 500 seat Performing Arts Centre, a large multi-purpose auditorium, swimming pools and sports facilities.

Director: Graeme Keslake

Head of Primary:  Marianne Konhaeuser

Head of Secondary: David Butcher

Mission: To change the world by building responsible outstanding citizens (ROC's) through our commitment to a values-based and holistic learning experience.

• Pre Kinder (Nursery) to Grade 12 (IB Diploma)
• Recently (July 2019) re-accredited by the Council of International Schools
• An IB World School offering MYP and IBDP
• Member of Latin American Heads Conference (LAHC)
• Member of International Values Education Trust 
• UK National Curriculum based curriculum with a play based approach in the Early Years Foundation Stage and the International Primary Curriculum.
• Accredited by the IPC in November 2017
• Teaching staff is mainly from the UK or El Salvador with a range of other nationalities from around the world.
• Student body is mainly Central American with a significant number of international students from other parts of the Americas.

The ABC was established in 1971 as a not-for-profit foundation. The school offers a comprehensive academic education based around positive universal values including respect, responsibility, creativity, curiosity, independence, being ethical and considerate, developing leadership skills and being reflective.  At the end of Grade 12, students sit the International Baccalaureate examinations with almost all students being full diploma candidates. The school offers a wide ranging, comprehensive academic programme, with recent positive feedback from five external accrediting bodies including a successful IB DP five year review, MYP accreditation and IPC accreditation.

In addition to the IB DP examinations, the school also enters students for the TOEFL, PSAT and SAT examinations and vocational tests.

The ABC places great emphasis upon involvement in a diverse extra-curricular programme that offers students artistic, sporting, musical and academic opportunities beyond the traditional school day. These activities include an active Student Council throughout the school, empowerment activities, trips including to the UK in Grade Five, drama productions, international competitions, Knowledge Bowl, Mathcounts, arts and crafts and many sports including athletics, soccer, cricket, archery, swimming, basketball and volleyball with a range of on line clubs and activities. The school participates in HACIA Democracy, Model United Nations and LAHC conferences.

The school recruits staff annually and places a great importance on ensuring we recruit the right staff. You will be expected to share our values based approach to education and to be committed to working positively with young people. We also take your professional development seriously and will help you develop as a professional. We invite international and UK based trainers to work with us. 

The Lower Primary area accommodates our younger students from 3 to 6 years old. This area has 18 single storey, purpose-built classrooms. Each classroom has its own outdoor patio area and the use of a grassed playground and a solar-heated swimming pool. There is a central office area, music room, medical room, assembly area and staff room.

The Upper Primary area of the school accommodates our students aged from 6 to 11. There are 22 single storey classrooms, an Art room, and the Jubilee Building, which houses a combined Library/computer area, staff room and offices. All Upper Primary classrooms are equipped with a computer and large monitor with wifi internet access and laptops and tablets available for student use. The Upper Primary area incorporate an outdoor theatre, adventure playground and small games areas.

The Primary School is led by a Head of Primary and two Deputy Head teachers coordinating a staff of over 50 teachers and 27 teaching assistants. Each grade is made up of four classes who are coordinated by a Grade leader and vertical subject leaders. Full time learning assistants provide support in classrooms from Pre-Kinder to 3rd grade, with additional assistants supporting Numeracy and Literacy in 4th and 5th grade. Throughout the Primary School, lessons are based on English National Curriculum requirements with the International Primary Curriculum as a vehicle for promoting thematic learning. Swimming, Physical Education and Music are integral parts of the curriculum. Theatrical productions, fairs and student assemblies, are also an important part of school life.

The Secondary School has 30 purpose built classrooms. Students bring their own laptops for use in school. There is a state-of-the-art Learning Resources Centre (winner of a Central American environmental design award) with a central area housing Apple Macs and a film studio. There are 10 well-resourced science laboratories, a Music block, Dance Studio, Green Room and 3 Art and Design rooms amongst the specialist rooms.

The Secondary School is led by the Head of Secondary and a Secondary Leadership Team. The school is organised into curriculum areas with Heads of Faculty. The school is proud of its high academic standards at MYP, IGCSE and IB Diploma. On average the school graduates 80 - 100 students each academic year. Of these 45-50% graduate with Honours. Many students go to some of the best universities in the world including the United States, Europe and Canada.

The school has a Tribal (i.e. "House") system for internal school competitions. The school also prepares students to compete within various national and international competitions and has a popular Team Sports Programme. There is an elected prefect body (including Head students) and also a very active Student Council which promotes many activities including Peace One Day, Save the Children “fun run” and ABC Pride events each year. The school actively supports the local community through its many student led charitable projects. These takes the form of fundraising efforts to actual hands-on work in local old people's and children's homes. Each grade supports its own project and all IB students contribute through their CAS activities.

The ABC is unique with its own special character. We seek to draw on the richness of all the constituent parts of our community to build a caring and positive learning environment which prepares our students to be responsible outstanding citizens in their future lives. If you share this vision please visit our website for a fuller flavor of who we are and what we do and then apply! We look forward to meeting you.

Accreditations

CIS

IB World School (MYP and IBDP)

IPC

Athlete-friendly Education Centre (World Academy of Sport)

Latin American Heads Conference (LAHC)

Values-based Education

Duke of Edinburgh’s International Awards

International Global Citizenship Award

Reports

“At a time when humans are facing unprecedented global challenges, the school’s focus on values provides a compelling framework for global citizenship education.”

“The school’s strongest traits are its relationships and strong community which are a fantastic foundation for the education it provides. The school is focused on encouraging and empowering students to thrive within a positive community where a sense of value, purpose, relationship and joy has been key to their many learning successes to date.”

“The ABC offer is holistic, rigorous and world-class.”

CIS Team Evaluation Report.