Managua - Post Report Question and Answers
What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
The American School (ANS) is where I have heard most children from the U.S. Embassy attend. I think they have a lot of room for improvement, especially regarding communication (with teachers, with parents, and with students). Don't be fooled into thinking that your communication with the school prior to enrollment is typical of the school, as this is an exception. They communicate well prior to enrollment, then it is all downhill. Maybe because the school (and Nicaragua) has problems in retaining people is why there is such a high teacher turn over. Our secondary school students had three mathematics teachers in one year. Sport at ANS is good if you are into soccer or swimming. The coaches are very committed and great. - Feb 2024
Schools are excellent. The CLO has a great relationship with them, and you can choose from French, German, Catholic, Christian, and secular. Many children attend the American Nicaraguan School. Most official communication from the schools happens in English, but everything social is in Spanish via WhatsApp. - Sep 2023
Most Americans send their children to ANS (American Nicaraguan School) or Lincoln Academy (Catholic-preK thru 12). Our son had a wonderful experience at ANS. The school met US standards on every level. - Mar 2012
Two major international schools preferred by expats. The ANS -- a large K3-12 grade school (1200+ students) and a smaller Catholic school called the Lincoln School. Our second grader is in her second year at the American Nicaraguan School. Our experience is good overall when it comes to academics (maybe at times the curriculum even is overly ambitious), but other areas such as campus, food availability at campus, after-class activities, charities and other events organized by the school leave a lot to be desired. - Apr 2009
The American Nicaragua School is listed as an International School but I found out that it's not. It is what it is exactly, an American (AP) and Nicaraguan (majority of the children are from the elite class) school. We had a very bad experience with bullying there (verbal and physical) and had to move our son when threats escalated to other public places outside school premises. It has happened to others too but those cases were no threats in public. Lincoln Academy in Las Colinas has fewer expat children offers the IB curriculum and there are other less known but good local schools like Pierre Marie Curie where some Dutch, French and other Europeans go to. There are also German, French and Swedish schools as alternatives. Our son is now very happy where he is and we're glad to have moved him. - Mar 2008
Levels of satisfaction vary but one can chose from American Nicaraguan School, Lincoln School (Christian) and Nicaraguan Christian Academy. - Feb 2008
