Santiago, Chile Report of what it's like to live there - 07/23/24
Personal Experiences from Santiago, Chile
School Name:
Nido de Aguilas
Background Information:
1. Are you the parent of a child(ren) attending this school? A teacher at the school? Or both?
Parent
2. What grade or grades do/did your children attend at the school? During what year(s) did they attend the school?
4th and 10th grades - 2023-2024
3. What years did you live here?
2023-2024
4. What was your reason for living in the city where the school is located (e.g., government, military, corporate, NGO, retired)?
Government
5. Are other schools available to expatriates in this city? Why did you choose this particular school?
Yes, there are multiple schools available.
Nido offers an American curriculum with high school diploma and a school year from July to June while the other schools run from March to December.
Admissions & Welcome:
1. Are the admissions and placement procedures clearly stated to prospective families, either on the school website or through other means of communication?
Yes, this was the most extensive admission we have ever done, including placement testing.
2. How would you rate the school's support and welcome/integration of new students and their families, and why?
Fantastic. We received a parent ambassador and the kids received student Ambassadors who helped them integrate into school.
Administration & School Procedures:
1. How is the overall communication between teachers and parents, and the administration and parents? How is communication facilitated?
Communication is mostly great with some minor hiccups, some events are communicated extremely late.
Communication via email and app from school Many school WhatsApp groups for parent-to-parent communications.
2. Aside from school fees, are there required expenses such as uniforms, laptops/tablets, musical instruments, or field trips that parents are expected to cover? What are the approximate costs?
- Uniforms for elementary and middle school school and for PE in High school.
- Laptops and calculators for High school
- week without walls in Highschool (between $400 and $2000)
- instruments in Elementary
- SAAC trips in High school (about $750)
Academics & Resources:
1. What personal or academic counseling resources are available at this school? Is there a dedicated college counselor at the school? Is he/she familiar with universities worldwide?
Lots of personal and academic support. College counselor available. Many kids study in Europe or the US.
2. Is there before and/or after-school daycare available? What are the costs?
After-school activities are available. Costs depending on activity between $70 and $300 per semester.
3. Does the school have a library? How large is it? How updated are the books? Can students borrow books to read at home?
Yes, it’s a decent size. Books seem ok. Kids can bring books home.
4. What are the technology requirements for students? Do they need their own laptops/ipads? How is technology integrated into the classroom and homework?
MacBook Air Laptops for High school is needed.
They use school laptops starting in elementary.
No homework in elementary.
5. How are information technology resources at the school. Are they up-to-date? Is there a computer lab?
Seems all up to date. i am not aware of a computer lab.
6. Describe the physical education resources at the school. Is there a gym? A swimming pool? Are there playing fields or tennis courts available?
A gym, a pool, tennis courts, playing fields, track course, soccer, baseball field, all available
7. What is the approximate teacher-to-student ratio in the grades that your child attended?
Elementary: 20:1
High school: ?
8. Are Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses available in upper grades? If this is an IB school, is the full diploma required of all students?
Full or partial IB available, but not required.
9. Are students generally challenged appropriately by the curriculum? Please describe any particular strengths or weaknesses in this area. Do you have any thoughts how the curriculum is applied and implemented at this school?
Definitely appropriately challenged
Be prepared for math challenges in 10th grade when coming from the US as the class is being taught integrated, not separate, so kids are missing out on 9th grade content.
10. Is the amount and type of homework generally appropriate for the age and grade of the students?
I think so in High school.
No homework in elementary.
11. What fine arts electives are available (music, drama, visual arts)?
All of them.
12. Are the teachers at the school required to speak English as a first language--or at least fluently?
Yes, unless they are Spanish language teachers.
13. What services are available for students with learning disabilities at this school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
There is learning support, but be careful what you disclose in advance or you won’t be accepted. Many students with dyslexia are turned down, even though there are dyslexic kids at school and school has the services available. If you are with the embassy, use the help of the school board rep.
14. What extra-curricular activities (including sports) are available at this school? Have your children participated in these activities? What activities do you feel are missing at the school?
Lots of activities
Social & Emotional Well-Being:
1. What is the climate for children with special needs? Is there a general attitude of inclusion for children with special needs?
Hard to say, but feels inclusive.
2. Do expatriate students socialize with local students at the school? Are both groups successfully integrated into the school culture?
Chilean kids prefer to stay in their social circles and are very reluctant to let expat kids in.
3. Are there are any problems with exclusionary behavior, cliques, or bullying at this school? Please describe any problems your children may have experienced in this area.
Yes, as is the case everywhere else.
4. What is the climate for students who identify as ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious minorities at this school? Are there resources they can draw upon? Have your children had any experiences in this area?
Many minorities, mostly Asian. Few minority teachers, not aware of resources.
5. What can you say about diversity among the faculty and staff at the school and their experience in supporting minority students?
Not much diversity in the faculty.
Overall Impressions:
1. What letter grade (ranging from A, excellent, to F, fail) would you assign to this school based on your overall experience? Would you choose it again?
A - yes! The community with international parents is fantastic!
2. Please describe some of your child's/children's highlights and challenges during their time at this school.
Challenges: transitions in high school
Highlights: sports trips
3. Please tell us anything else you think prospective parents and students should know about this school. Thanks for your contribution!
Nido is a fantastic school, the best our kids have attended.
