American Cooperative School in La Paz Bolivia

Known locally as the Calvert School (because it began as a mission school), ACS in La Paz is probably the best private American school in Bolivia. The property itself is impressive featuring modern facilities including large playgrounds and green areas, soccer fields, tennis and basketball courts, a multi-purpose center, large auditorium, and even a Olypmic-sized indoor pool.

Classrooms, restrooms, locker areas and dining areas are well-kept and clean. Classes are small and teacher/student ratios are fairly low allowing for a good amount of attention to each student.

School hours are from about 8 am to about 3 pm. The school has its own school buses (Bolivian schools don't offer buses - most kids have to be brought by their parents or take taxis or public buses).

There is a good combination of American, Bolivian and foreign teachers from other countries (and students from all over the world - it was a great experience growing up in that environment). Classes are given in English (except for language courses) and follow the US school year. Students are accredited to enter colleges in the US.

One complaint some foreigners who are not American have about this school is that it is TOO oriented to the US school curriculum and that it emphasizes US history etc. too much but there's a reason it's called the AMERICAN school.

As an expat kid, I attended 5 other schools in various countries and this is the best elementary and high school of all of them. I attended this school for a total of 5 years and loved the infrastructure, the teachers, the curriculum and everything about it. ACS stands out in Bolivia because most Bolivian schools use a teaching method whereby students simply memorize and repeat. The teaching style here is almost completely theoretical and there is almost no hands-on practical teaching or learning.

Bolivians who can afford to send their children to the American school (unfortunately it is very expensive) do so because, in addition to getting accredited to attend US universities, many say their children are taught "to think creatively" or "to think for themselves". Having also attended Bolivian schools and the German School in La Paz, I agree 100%. The difference is huge and notable, even as a child. During the years I attended a large number of the students were Bolivian so as students, most of us spoke English in the classroom and Spanish everywhere else. Every student in my class was fully bilingual because of this.

As a former student I have really good memories of this school. I went from an average B and C student to graduating from ACS with honors because of the quality of the teachers. They gave students lots of personalized attention and extra help when they needed it and both teachers and administrators met frequently with the parents. I remember the principal and superintendent knew every student by name and one of them was always at the gate to greet all the students as they arrived by bus every morning. I just remember all my teachers and the administrators being absolutely spectacular. My experience in American schools in the US was dismal in comparison.

I'm dyslexic and have trouble studying. I credit my ACS elementary and high school teachers for providing me the self-esteem and motivation I needed to ultimately graduate with honors from a US university, even though I attended a US high school for 2 years in between because my teachers in the US were either too overloaded or too limited by legal fears to give this type of personalized attention to their students.

My parents were also a huge part of this success because they actively worked with me and spent lots of time helping me study and do homework. They took the time to be involved in my school activities and ask about my progress, even though they were extremely busy people. That made every difference for me.

ACS is located in Calacoto, in the southern area of the city of La Paz. It's a good neighborhood (considered wealthy but not the most expensive or exclusive neighborhood there is today).

Here's the website: http://www.acslp.org/