The Colegio Americano de Puebla (American School of Puebla) is a private school

Private school

Private schools, also known as independent schools or nonstate schools, are not administered by local, state or national governments; thus, they retain the right to select their students and are funded in whole or in part by charging their students' tuition, rather than relying on mandatory...

 serving students in kindergarten through grade 12 in Puebla

Puebla, Puebla

The city and municipality of Puebla is the capital of the state of Puebla, and one of the five most important colonial cities in Mexico. Being a planned city, it is located to the east of Mexico City and west of Mexico's main port, Veracruz, on the main route between the two.The city was founded...

, Mexico

Mexico

The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...

. The school offers both the International Baccalaureate Diploma

IB Diploma Programme

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a two-year educational programme for students aged 16–19that provides an internationally accepted qualification for entry into higher education, and is recognised by universities worldwide. It was developed in the early to mid-1960s in Geneva by...

 and the local BUAP (Benemerita Universidad Autonoma de Puebla) for the upper school.For elementary and middle school students, the Primary Years Programme

IB Primary Years Programme

The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme is an educational programme managed by the International Baccalaureate for students aged 3 to 11. While the programme prepares students for the IB Middle Years Programme, it is not a prerequisite for it...

 and Middle Years Programme

IB Middle Years Programme

The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme is an educational programme intended for students aged approximately 11 to 16 . Thus, in the United States the programme is often taught throughout the middle school years and the first two years of high school...

 are offered. The school is well known around the city and Mexico alike for its prestigious Model United Nations, PASMUN.

History

Founded in 1942, by Mrs. Anne Jenkins with the purpose of providing an education for the sons of American doctors living in Puebla City, the American School originally started giving classes in a spare garage that was used as a classroom. In 1943, the school formally opened to the public, this time occupying a rented house as the campus. The school was now attended by Mexican students wishing to receive a bilingual education as well as the previous Americans. Under the Leadership of Prof. J. L. Burleson as principal, the school periodically increased the number of enrolled students, changing locations several times in order to accommodate the growing number of members. By 1946, with the new Prof. H. Stephen Stockmeyer as principal, there were 150 students. By 1949, the La Paz Campus, which still stands today as the seat for the administrative and high school buildings, finished construction. At this time, there were 400 students enrolled in the school. Passing through several principals and a steady rise in the number of students, the American school of Puebla was forced to undergo construction in order to have more classrooms. Eventually, a new campus was needed and, thanks to a donation from Mr. William O. Jenkins

William O. Jenkins

William O. Jenkins was an American businessman who made great wealth in Mexico. He was born May 18, 1878 in Shelbyville, Tennessee. He was originally a mechanic who moved to Mexico. He served during the Mexican Revolution as a minor consular official at Puebla, Mexico. While serving as consul he...

, was established in 1965 in Las Animas, the current location of the Elementary School and Kindergarten. Due to the constant growth of the school, in 1975, the Huexotitla campus was bought from another school, and, after facing renovation served the school as well. Today it is the seat of the Junior high. In 2006, Dr. Chaffee retired after 36 years of service to the School as Superintendent. Today Dr. Galicia is the Superintendent.

Curriculum

In 1995, the school associated with the International Baccalaureate Organization

International Baccalaureate Organization

The International Baccalaureate , formerly the International Baccalaureate Organization , is an international educational foundation headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland and founded in 1968. IB offers three educational programmes for children ages 3–19.The organization's name and logo were changed...

. By 2006, the School was authorized to teach the three IBO programs: the Primary Years Programme

IB Primary Years Programme

The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme is an educational programme managed by the International Baccalaureate for students aged 3 to 11. While the programme prepares students for the IB Middle Years Programme, it is not a prerequisite for it...

, the Middle Years Programme

IB Middle Years Programme

The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme is an educational programme intended for students aged approximately 11 to 16 . Thus, in the United States the programme is often taught throughout the middle school years and the first two years of high school...

, and the Diploma Programme

IB Diploma Programme

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a two-year educational programme for students aged 16–19that provides an internationally accepted qualification for entry into higher education, and is recognised by universities worldwide. It was developed in the early to mid-1960s in Geneva by...

. The American School of Puebla was the first school in the City of Puebla and only fifth in the country to be authorized to teach all three IB programs.