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Ecuador, Quito
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Academia Cotopaxi began in 1959 to serve the American community in Quito with an education aligned to U.S. standards. By 1968–69 a new three-story building welcomed up to 350 students. Donald A. Fournier revitalized the school in 1977, strengthening enrollment and stability through 1991. The school earned SACS accreditation in 1981 and became the first in Ecuador to offer the IB Diploma Programme in 1982, moving to the Monteserrín campus in 1990 as enrollment neared 900 in the mid-1990s. In the 2000s, AC opened IMAGINE preschool (2004), started the IB Primary Years Programme (2005), and upgraded campus facilities in 2006; more recently, hybrid learning began in 2021, a STEM Excellence Center opened in 2023, and CASEL well-being initiatives were introduced in 2024.
A true international community that brings together students, families, and educators from across the world. Our diversity strengthens learning, enriches dialogue, and prepares students to engage confidently in a global society. Our community includes long-term Ecuadorian families, recently relocated international families, globally mobile expatriate professionals, diplomatic and NGO communities, and multilingual, multicultural backgrounds. Parents are partners in their children's learning, and the school hosts parent coffees, cultural events, workshops, and community-building activities.
The PTA strengthens the partnership between families and the school by promoting school pride, community building, parent education, and ongoing support. It supports initiatives that enrich the educational experience, including parent education workshops, volunteer involvement in school events, school pride activities, and mini-grants for student and teacher projects aligned with the school's strategic direction. The PTA fosters a positive, constructive, and inclusive school culture. Current PTA Leadership Team includes Co-President: Camila Do Amaral; Co-President: Joëlle Lagasse; Secretary: Martha de la O; Treasurer: Carolina Aray; School Pride Lead: Yulia Pankova; Volunteer Coordinator: Francisco Marambio; Mini-Grants Lead: Galo Flores; and Parent Education Lead: Gabriela Norambil. The PTA organizes community events such as Bingo Night and welcomes involvement via PTA@cotopaxi.k12.ec.
Academia Cotopaxi American International School in Quito is a private, coeducational day school serving ages 1 through 18. The curriculum combines International Baccalaureate (PYP and DP) with an American high school program, offering three diplomas: United States High School Diploma, Ecuadorian High School Diploma, and the IB Diploma. The IB Diploma is open to all high school students, and AC was among the region's first IB World Schools. English is the language of instruction, with Spanish integrated across grades, and the school holds NEASC accreditation. The campus features designed learning spaces, the C-Gallery for student art, an IB Visual Arts studio, and a STEM/Robotics emphasis, with a STEM Excellence Center opened in 2023. Sports include volleyball, basketball, soccer, and swimming, plus Extended Learning activities such as roller skating, tennis, and jiu jitsu. AC hosts a diverse community of 30 nationalities and emphasizes well-being and global citizenship through counseling and programs.
