Escuela Bella Vista was founded as a private school in 1948 to provide a North American educational program for students in grades 1-9. In 1972, grades 10-12 were added to the school's program and in 2003 both the I.B.
Program and a new pre-kindergarten program were added.
At the present time Escuela Bella Vista is an international school; twenty countries are represented within the student body. The school's campus consists of forty classrooms, two gymnasiums, library, cafeteria, science and computer laboratories, office complex, music room, and other rooms. A new climate-controlled 300+ seat auditorium was completed in May 2005.
Accreditations and Registrations
Memberships
- Association for the Advancement of International Education.
- National Association of Elementary School Principals.
- National Association of Secondary School Principals.
- Venezuelan Association of North American Schools.
- Association of American Schools in South America.
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At EBV we offer an internationally enriched accredited U.S. program that prepares our students to participate actively, independently, cooperatively, and effectively in a multicultural, multilingual world. It is our commitment to educate each student to his/her maximum potential.
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Our vision is to be an outstanding International School
preparing our students to become citizens of the world, able to excel in
meeting the challenges they encounter.
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Escuela Bella Vista is an educational institution that is committed to fulfilling the educational needs of students of diverse cultural and experiential backgrounds who choose to benefit from the program we offer.
We are committed to offering our students, within the framework of a United States curriculum, a program that provides a high-quality education.
We emphasize the importance of acquiring fluency in oral and written English at all levels of our program, and of acquiring skills in Spanish, the language of Venezuela.
We strive to provide an up-to-date and technologically relevant curriculum which allows our students to fulfill their individual potential. Our curriculum enables our students to pursue further education in colleges and universities.
We respect the individual differences among students. We provide ample opportunities to experience and benefit from the development of individual patterns of creativity, research, inquiry, and discovery.
We believe in a learning process which addresses the total development of the student: cognitive, social, moral, cultural, and physical.
We believe in, and are committed to, the preservation of the ideals of a democratic society.
We consider education to be a life-long process through which individuals continually acquire skills, develop abilities, and increase their potential. Education will allow students to participate actively, intelligently, autonomously, and effectively in society.
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The objectives of Escuela Bella Vista are to:
INTELLECTUAL, THINKING AND REASONING SKILLS
· Create an intellectually stimulating and motivating environment
· Develop problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities
· Instill in students the desire to become life-long, self-disciplined, enthusiastic, organized, and independent learners
SOCIAL
· Create a positive environment that instills in students a belief in, and pursuit of, democratic ideals, including the ethical values of:
*tolerance and respect for others
*commitment to self-discipline
*understanding that the successful development of each individual's potential lies within himself
· Sponsor activities which build potential leadership qualities in our students
· Provide guidance and counseling for any student in need of academic, social, or emotional assistance
· Promote an understanding, interaction, and respect for the diverse cultures and traditions of the world and the political, economic, geographic, social, and environmental forces that shape world affairs
COMMUNITY
· Maintain effective lines of communication among the parents, students, faculty and administration
· Create a positive atmosphere for the development of interpersonal relationships among the members of the school community whereby parents and teachers are partners in educating our students
· Encourage a proper appreciation of our host country, Venezuela, and to contribute something to the community through promoting student involvement in community service projects and activities
CURRICULUM
· Provide a meaningful, challenging, engaging, and up-to-date United States curriculum, taught in English, which will adequately prepare students for future pursuits suited to their talents and interests
· Provide a curriculum which reflects the most current understanding of both how humans learn, as well as the most effective practices found in today's successful schools
· Provide for individual differences among students through enrichment and remedial activities
· Support and enhance the total development of each student by providing and encouraging co-curricular and extra-curricular activities
· Challenge the growth of students' natural talents by providing opportunities to express themselves creatively through music, art, drama, and writing
· Keep up-to-date with changes in technology; revising instruction, equipment, and applications as appropriate
· Inform students, as well as engage them by using the Socratic questioning method to enhance understanding
· Create and maintain an awareness of global issues and environmental concerns
· Provide students with sound physical education and health programs, intramural programs, and interscholastic sports which emphasize skill development, personal fitness, and good sportsmanship
· Foster learning that encourages research, inquiry, discovery, and experimentation
· Provide the ability and encourage the desire to communicate effectively in speaking, writing, and reading in Spanish as well as other languages
· Provide innovation, motivation, and challenge in the classroom, building upon the foundation of basic skills
TEACHERS
· Employ faculty members who are highly capable and trained in their specialties and who exemplify positive attitudes and character role-modeling to students
· Ensure the use of current instructional methodology and contemporary materials and equipment in the classroom.
· Maintain high expectations and continually strive for excellence in students, faculty, and administration
· Provide on-going staff development opportunities in order to constantly seek better ways to maximize student learning
Throughout 56th year history, Escuela Bella Vista has provided innovative education which focuses on individual student needs. Underlying our objectives is our commitment to the high standards of the philosophy of our school and to maintain our accreditation as established by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
January, 2005
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Citizenship Code for Escuela Bella Vista |
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As Citizens of the E.B.V. community, we are:
• Respectful: We treat others as we would like to be treated.
Therefore: We are kind, polite, generous, helpful and considerate to others and to our environment. We appreciate cultural diversity.
• Optimistic: We focus on the positive aspects of every situation.
Therefore: We are friendly, cheerful and of others. We are proud of our actions and our school.
• Fair: We follow the rules and we offer everybody an equal opportunity
Therefore: We are accepting, open minded and generous.
• Responsible: We meet our obligations, are accountable for our choices and actively participate in school life.
Therefore: We are role models for others and are self-disciplined and safe.
• Honest: We tell the truth and have the courage to make the right choices.
Therefore: We are ethical, loyal and do not deceive, cheat or steal.
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In 2003, Escuela Bella Vista (EBV) celebrated its fifty-fifth anniversary. During these fifty five years, countless changes have been made both to the school facilities and in the academic program offered the students. Although the school was officially named Escuela Bella Vista in 1948, its roots can be traced back to 1896 when one Heraclio Osuna established an American School in Maracaibo.
Escuela Bella Vista was founded as a private school to provide an American education for students in Maracaibo. Development of the campus progressed slowly but steadily. For example, tennis courts were added in 1976 in the center of the campus. The large gym was built in 1980, adding space for basketball and volleyball to the already-existing smaller gym. In 1998, due to increased enrollment, an additional building of four classrooms was constructed on the west side of the campus. An auditorium facility is under construction.
In the early days, students attended EBV through the eighth grade, then had to move to Robert's School to complete their secondary requirements for graduation. In 1972, the tenth grade was added; eleventh and twelfth grades were added in 1974. Course offerings have changed over the years at EBV. In previous years, students could enroll in such courses as Home Economics, Carpentry, Mechanics, and Driver's Education. Courses such as Art, Music, and Drama have been a part of EBV for many years. However, in 1987, the first Model United Nations (MUN) class was offered for EBV secondary students. Students began participating in the computerized, international competition known as the Knowledge Master Open in 1996. Advanced Placement (AP) courses were added to the curriculum in 1997, and French was added as a foreign language option in 1998. An Optimal Learning Center was organized in 1998 to serve special needs students and highly capable students.Additionally, EBV maintains a low teacher/student ratio to ensure individual attention where needed. In 2003, the I.B. Diploma Program was implemented along with the opening of a pre-kindergarten
program.
EBV began computer classes for all students, K-12, in 1995; by 1997, all classrooms had at least one computer. Student enrollment has grown steadily over the past fifty years; a peak enrollment of 450 students was reached in the fall of 1999.
Sports and athletic competitions have always been an integral part of EBV.In years past, sports such as wrestling, swimming, and badminton were enjoyed by the students, but these have since disappeared. Presently, volleyball, basketball, softball, and soccer are played at the school. In 1977, a mascot was chosen to represent the school in athletic competitions. EBV student teams are now known as the "Oilers." EBV participates actively in sports exchanges with other schools in the Venezuelan Association of North American Schools (VANAS), as well as in regular sporting events with local Venezuelan schools.
At present, Escuela Bella Vista is an international school with 20 countries represented in a body of over 325 students. The school's eight-acre campus has the capacity to serve 550 students. The campus contains 46 classrooms, two gymnasiums, two tennis courts, a K-12 library, cafeteria, science and computer labs, office complex, auditorium, vocal music and band rooms, an art room, plus other specialized areas.
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