Compare American Curriculum International Schools in Ecuador

Puerto Azul Km 10.5 via a la costa, Guayaquil, Guayas 090902

Early Childhood Center; Elementary School; Secondary School

Private international school

Over 26 nationalities represented

Student Support (SST) and MTSS provide Tier 1–3 interventions; Gifted Program (TAG); ELL Program

United States curriculum; US high school diploma

Calendar runs August–June

Uniform consists of solid khaki, black, or navy shorts, slacks, skorts, or skirts; white, red, and navy polo shirts with the IAA logo. Athletic-type shoes are required; flip-flops, crocs, or slide-in sandals are not permitted; hats and sunglasses are not worn during class.

The cafeteria is run by an outside provider, The Academy Shop, offering hot lunch for students and staff; students may also bring lunch from home with microwaves available. A snack bar serves grades 6-12; a snack cart is available for K-5 during recess. Families pay directly to the cafeteria provider, and a food calendar is emailed every eight weeks.

The InterAmerican Academy is governed by an eight-person Board of Directors. Board members are elected to three-year terms and serve as stewards for the legal and moral owners of the school, defining the school's purpose and direction (the Ends) and delegating day-to-day management to the Executive Director.

The school provides English-language instruction from nursery through grade twelve and offers a U.S. college-preparatory curriculum leading to a U.S. high school diploma. It follows Cognia-accredited, standards-based mastery with project-based learning and emphasizes SHARK values (Safety, Honesty, Accountability, Respect, Kindness). The Center for International Education supports college admissions and guidance, and the school offers Advanced Placement through the AP Capstone program, which includes AP Seminar and AP Research; it is described as the only AP Capstone program in Ecuador.

Enrollment is about 213 students and 36 faculty, yielding an approximate student-to-teacher ratio of 6:1.

SAT mean test results (2024–2025): ERW 481; MATH 481. CEEB code: 930100.

Most seniors attend post-secondary institutions in the United States, Europe, Canada, and Ecuador, with support from the Center for International Education.

IAA identifies gifted students using MAP mathematics and reading tests and intelligence testing; eligible students receive a specialized Student Learning Plan with goals for critical thinking and metacognition and an accelerated program, including instances of students in High School classes while in middle school.

InterAmerican Academy emphasizes holistic development, nurturing the intellectual, personal, social, physical, and affective growth of each student. Belonging and respect are core values that guide daily interactions and the school community. Safety, belonging and happiness are highlighted in a diverse, inclusive environment with a strong Student Support Department. MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support) provides interventions or extensions to meet learning needs for all students. Eligible students may participate in a Gifted Program with a specialized Student Learning Plan (SLP) that includes critical thinking, metacognition goals, and accelerated coursework. The Center for International Education supports university admissions and scholarships paths for students.

Gifted Program identifies learners using MAP tests and intelligence tests to place students in appropriate pathways. Eligible students in the Gifted Program receive a specialized Student Learning Plan (SLP) with goals in critical thinking, metacognition, and accelerated coursework. It is common for a middle school student to take high school classes or participate in multi-age literacy groups based on learning needs. MTSS provides interventions or extensions to support learners at different levels.

ILA Language Academy is the International Language Academy in Guayaquil, administered and supported by InterAmerican Academy. ILA provides access to native-speaking teachers who help students understand language nuances. ILA allows students to experience IAA in a language-based setting with immersion. Services include small group classes, private/individual classes, test preparation (TOEFL, SAT, IELTS, GRE, etc.), on-site classes, and translations. For more information, contact ILA or download the brochure for services and prices.

InterAmerican Academy aims for safety, belonging and happiness within a diverse, inclusive community. A dedicated Student Support Department works to support student well-being. The Curriculum Philosophy states the school seeks to nurture the intellectual, personal, social, physical, and affective development of the whole student. Belonging is a core value guiding school life and interactions. The school's values-based approach emphasizes empathy, responsibility and respect to support the emotional health of learners.

The Board of Directors has adopted a Child Protection Policy to guide staff and families in safeguarding the health, safety and care of children. The policy is based on international law and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, as well as Ecuadorian law (Codigo de la Niñez). The school provides age-appropriate lessons on personal safety, information sessions for parents, and annually trains faculty, parents, volunteers and staff to recognize and report issues of abuse. Enrolling your child at IAA involves partnership with the school to uphold safety and respectful treatment, and you can contact the school counselor or principal with questions. Updated June 17, 2024.

1. Fill Admissions Information Request form. The school responds within two working days with an overview of the offer. If ready to apply, request the application guide and the list of requirements and follow the provided instructions. 2. Office hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM and Friday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Visits and campus tours are by appointment on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The North American Grade Scale is used, and the standard international calendar runs from August to June (updated June 19, 2024).

The school offers scholarships and financial aid. Last year 10 graduates received 58 offers of admission from 40 universities and were offered over $1,914,980 in scholarships and financial aid. The Center for International Education helps local students get into universities and apply for scholarships, specializing in sending students to the United States with scholarships and financial aid.

Alliance Academy International is located in Quito, Ecuador, at Juan José de Villalengua 789 y Av. 10 de agosto. The campus can be contacted at +593 2 3933 800, with extensions for Elementary (6237), Secondary (6205), and Admissions (6222).

Preschool, Elementary, Secondary

private Christian international school

The school has 25 nationalities represented.

A full-time Social-Emotional Learning Support Specialist serves Preschool; in Elementary, a Learning Support Teacher supports students and an English as a Foreign Language teacher assists; the Counseling department provides Life Skills programs.

United States

Christian (affiliated with the Christian and Missionary Alliance)

Uniforms are required. Polo shirts in red, black, yellow, grey, or white with the Alliance Academy International logo are worn with pants that fit at the waist; athletic shorts and most other bottoms are not permitted (athletic warm-ups are allowed for Kindergarten–6th Grade). Preschool has its own uniform (t‑shirt, jacket, and pants); Secondary PE uniforms are worn only for PE and may be purchased from a retailer; outerwear must be the school-approved jacket or a logoed jacket from AAi events.

On-campus lunch is provided. Elementary students eat in the Elementary cafeteria and may not leave campus during lunch; off-campus lunches require notification to the teacher and Elementary Office and must be checked out. Secondary lunch takes place in the Dining Commons under supervision; the Dining Commons is available to all secondary students and adults, with younger children not permitted except for special events; students must stay within designated lunch areas.

Independent of The Christian and Missionary Alliance, the school is owned by an Educational Foundation. In 2009, the School Board and Foundation Board merged to form the Foundation and Governance Board, which acts as steward for the legal and moral owners, defines the Ends, and delegates daily management to the Executive Director. The school is accredited by Cognia/AdvancED and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and operates with authorization from Ecuador's Ministry of Education.

US-style education is provided at Alliance Academy International. The majority of teachers are native English speakers from the U.S., Canada, South Africa, the United Kingdom, the Philippines, and other Latin American countries. The Preschool program serves ages three and four with holistic, play-based learning and Gospel integration. The Elementary program includes a Kindergarten for ages five and six, teaching reading, language arts, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies, with daily Bible instruction and additional programs in arts, music, physical education, keyboarding, and Life Skills. The Secondary program offers individualized course schedules, a manual arts program, competitive sports, and a broad range of extracurricular activities, along with Bible classes and a chaplaincy program. The curriculum is supported by Cognia accreditation, and there is affiliation with ACSI and recognition from the Ministerio de Educación and IBEC DCEES.

Counseling supports emotional and relational well-being; the Counseling Department collaborates with administrators to help students in bullying situations, stop harmful behavior, provide emotional support, and apply appropriate consequences as necessary. Counseling interventions involve the student, parents, and teachers to pursue long-term solutions and to promote emotional health. The Department of Christian Life offers counseling services for emotional, spiritual, and familial health, with campus chaplains and a Chapel program that support personal and spiritual growth. The Learning Resource Center provides resources to nurture emotional, intellectual, and spiritual growth.

The school offers special education services, with priority given to students already enrolled. The Alliance Learning Center monitors students requiring special education, and new applicants with special learning concerns are screened and approved by the ALC. The school follows an Inclusion Program in which students with special needs spend most or all of their time with peers in the general classroom, with placement decisions based on performance, evaluations, and documentation to ensure appropriate education.

The primary language of instruction is English and the secondary language is Spanish. Other courses may be taught in languages other than English (e.g., French, Industrial Arts). All classes, study halls, class meetings, and study areas are English‑only environments, and students are required to speak only English in those settings unless an exception is made by school personnel. The Accelerated English Program provides support for students who do not meet English proficiency requirements for admission. Written communications to all members of the school community are in both English and Spanish.

Counselors are available to assist students seeking emotional, spiritual, and familial support on an intervention or emergency basis. Counseling interventions focus on stopping bullying and addressing emotional and relational concerns, involving parents and teachers as needed. The Chapel program and Campus Chaplains support spiritual development and community well‑being. The Learning Resource Center supports emotional, spiritual, and intellectual growth through its resources.

Safeguarding protocols include child protection procedures and reporting requirements. If abuse or neglect is suspected, a member of the DECE must be informed to activate the Ministry of Education protocols. There is a Bullying Prohibition Policy addressing bullying as a school‑wide issue. Field trips and sporting events are supervised with sponsor‑to‑student ratios and at least two unrelated chaperones to safeguard student well‑being.

1. The Admissions Team welcomes inquiries and would be happy to schedule an appointment to visit the school and address questions. 2. To receive more information and schedule a tour, click APPLY. 3. Children must be 3 years old by December 1 to begin the admissions process. 4. Preschool through 12th Grade hours are 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Monday and 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday through Friday. 2. Apply. The APPLY link directs applicants to an online application via RenWeb. The school is an English-immersion program with native English-speaking teachers and uses a U.S. curriculum, including AP courses. Transportation is provided within Quito and the surrounding valleys, and accident insurance is required and must include Vozandes Hospital. Tuition and fees for the 2025-2026 year are Preschool registration $546 with monthly $610; Kindergarten-12th grade registration $655.74 with tuition $1,053.

AAI Student Scholarship Fund provides tuition discounts to support enrollment for families facing financial challenges; approximately $350,000 in financial aid is provided this school year. Donor-funded funds support targeted opportunities for students, including the David Landers Memorial Scholarship Fund, the Rob Quiring Legacy Scholarship Fund, and the Adam Yoder Memorial Fund. These funds enable financial assistance and targeted scholarships for students. Advancement activities and donor sponsorship opportunities can be pursued by contacting advancement@alliance.k12.ec.