La Paz - Post Report Question and Answers
What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
Most people send their kids to "Calvert", the American school, including us. A few diplomats send their kid to the French or German schools which are also o.k. Good things about Calvert: Nice facilities and teacher to student ratio, decent after-school activities, many of the teachers seem caring. My son is in middle school and very short and he has yet to get bullied. The school director and principals are American and seem o.k. Less good things: School quality has gone down a bit since COVID we have been told. They lost a lot of American teachers, and international students, so the staff and students are almost all Bolivian (which isn't entirely a bad thing - it also makes it a more culturally immersive experience). Like most elite private schools in south america, there are issues with bullying, particularly on social media - and it's worse for the girls. The level of instruction is about on par with what you'd get in a public school in the US. We've been a bit underwhelmed with the level of math and reading. I think some of that is that a lot of the Bolivian students fell behind during COVID (esp. since schools here were closed for two years!) and are still catching up. - Jan 2024
ACS Calvert is where folks go. Has a good reputation. - Aug 2022
German school, American School, French School. We've heard good things about them all. American school is good through middle school. can't speak to later grades. My kids had good teachers and a nice experience there. They were well-prepared for re-entry into the USA, and even a bit ahead of their peers. - Dec 2019
We know families who attend the French school, the German school, ACS Calvert, and Highlands Christian School. We have no personal experience with any of them except the ACS families which appear to be very, very unhappy. The German school follows the Bolivian school calendar, which runs February thru December. - Feb 2019
ACS Calvert is the American embassy sponsored school. It is fully accredited and most of the embassy folks attend. The school has above average MAP scores for the region and for the U.S. The school is sending its seniors to very good schools in the States, including some recent Ivy League acceptances. Class sizes are higher in the primary grades. It offers K-12 and has over 500 students. Due to political changes over the last decade or so, the school has experienced a shift in demographics to more of a host country makeup. However, the school employs many high quality American staff, and is making a concerted effort to focus more on its international (read: American) clientele. After school, team sports, and extracurricular activites include: soccer (of course!), volleyball, basketball, swimming (the pool is the best in La Paz), drama, among others. - Sep 2016
They are here. French, German, US. - we chose a local school as we were unhappy with ACS. - Jun 2015
Most embassy children go to the American Cooperative School (ACS). There is also Highlands as an option, and a Montessori school. Our son is in 1st grade, so our experience is fine at ACS. - Apr 2015
There are two or three options but most Embassy families attend ACS. Some others attend Highlands. It seems like most parents are satisfied but there does seem to be a lack of extracurricular or academic enrichment activities. - Jan 2014
ACS has been improving over the years. The administration is currently very strong and there will be more American teachers in this coming year. I don't really have experience with the other schools, but there are a few. - Jul 2013
Take your time when choosing. You do have options here. There is a German school, two International Schools (ACS and The Highlands- Christian School) and Montessori Schools. Lots of parents complain about ACS, but they send their kids there because it seems to be the easier thing to do. Most of the complaints involve the Middle School-High School. Just take your time and really visit the schools before enrolling. - Jun 2013
Not sure. - Feb 2012
Schools are really good. Excellent campus with lots of features including a swimming pool, gym, libraries, sports fields, etc. Lots of afterschool activities and great preschool program. Caring staff and administration. - May 2011
I don't have kids but I heard very good comments about the high standard of the American school. the German and the French school are also good options. - May 2011
American Cooperative School is the international school here. There is a good mix of many nationalities as well as many Bolivian families that attend ACS. I have three children there, and they all seem to like it. It seems to be a good school, but they are having problems now keeping enrollment up, not as many families coming from outside Bolivia to join the school. - Mar 2011
American Cooperative School. - Aug 2010
My kids were too young - Jan 2010
The American School (ACS) is excellent. Wonderful teachers and administration. Active community life at the school and a broad range of after school activities for all ages. - Aug 2009
