School Profile
The Sosúa Community
Sosúa is an internationally diverse community of nearly 70,000 people located on the Northern coast of the Dominican Republic, approximately four hours from the capital of Santo Domingo and twenty minutes from the major city Puerto Plata. A popular beach-tourism destination for Europeans and North Americans, the area boasts various major resorts and is situated just a few minutes from another tourism center, Cabarete. Residents of this semi-rural area are employed in real estate, hospitality, small and large businesses, internet-based careers, and the region’s largest gold mine, Barrick. The community is comprised of dozens of nationalities and as many languages are spoken. In the midst of abject poverty and economic underdevelopment one can also find first-world amenities and highly-educated residents, providing a unique diversity.
The School
The International School of Sosúa is a private, secular, college-preparatory school accredited by Cognia (USA) and the Dominican Ministerio de Educación. The Secondary School includes grades 6th-12th, and has a current enrollment of 80 students. The school educates children as young as 2-years old and students commonly attend from Pre-Kinder to graduation. Over 25 nationalities are represented on the ISS campus and many children speak as many as three languages. The core curriculum leads to a US diploma and is taught entirely in English by certified educators of various nationalities. All students also take Spanish language and Dominican Social Studies courses each year of school.
The Secondary daily schedule consists of three 60-minute ‘block’ periods three days of each week and one 45-min period for the 1.00 credit courses. Our school calendar is comprised of two semesters, and the school year is, at least, 180 days in length.
The International School of Sosúa Secondary offers a rigorous academic program based on Common Core Standards, AERO Social Studies Standards and the Next Generation Science Standards. Class offerings may change from year to year based on the needs of current students.
Advanced Placement courses have been offered since 2009. In the academic school year, 2020-20201, consistent AP courses in the five main subject areas were solidified; AP Calculus AB, AP Human Geography & AP World History, AP Physics C: Mechanics, AP English Literature & AP English Language, and AP Spanish Literature & AP Spanish Language.
Fall 2021 will marke the addition of AP Comparative Government & Politics, AP Statistics, and AP Biology; as well as the AP Capstone Diploma offering. Enrollment in AP classes is open to Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors abiding by the College Board philosophy to allow all students the opportunity to enroll. Students are awarded US High School diplomas and the Dominican Republic diploma upon graduation.
Faculty
The International School of Sosúa Secondary School has a staff of twelve teachers. The majority of the staff hold Master’s degrees in their field of teaching. They all offer substantial experience as educators, are multilingual in many cases, and several have received recognition in the USA or UK as innovators in their area of expertise.
Accreditation and Associations
Athletics and Activities
Boy’s Sports: Volleyball, Indoor Soccer, Basketball
Girl’s Sports: Volleyball, Field Soccer, Indoor Soccer
Activities and Clubs: Student Council, National Honor Society, Model United Nations, Journalism
Graduation Requirements for Class of 2022
All students enrolled in ISS complete a program of study leading to the US High School Diploma and the Dominican High School diploma. Additionally, all students must complete a minimum of 60 hours of community service during their high school career.
International School of Sosúa, graduation requirements
Courses & Credit Hours from 9th-12th
English - 4
Spanish - 4
Social Studies - 4
Dominican Social Studies -4
Science - 4
Mathematics - 4
Fine Arts -1
Physical Education - 1
Electives - 2
TOTAL - 28
Credit hours are calculated using Carnegie units. The Carnegie Unit defines a semester unit of credit as equal to a minimum of three hours of work per week for a semester.
Note: Fractions of Carnegie units may be assigned for quarter or semester courses.
Test Scores
Graduating Class of 2021 SAT score averages (to date December 2020):
EBRW - 567
Math - 587
Composite - 1153
USA avg. (2019)
531
528
1059
Sosúa is an internationally diverse community of nearly 70,000 people located on the Northern coast of the Dominican Republic, approximately four hours from the capital of Santo Domingo and twenty minutes from the major city Puerto Plata. A popular beach-tourism destination for Europeans and North Americans, the area boasts various major resorts and is situated just a few minutes from another tourism center, Cabarete. Residents of this semi-rural area are employed in real estate, hospitality, small and large businesses, internet-based careers, and the region’s largest gold mine, Barrick. The community is comprised of dozens of nationalities and as many languages are spoken. In the midst of abject poverty and economic underdevelopment one can also find first-world amenities and highly-educated residents, providing a unique diversity.
The School
The International School of Sosúa is a private, secular, college-preparatory school accredited by Cognia (USA) and the Dominican Ministerio de Educación. The Secondary School includes grades 6th-12th, and has a current enrollment of 80 students. The school educates children as young as 2-years old and students commonly attend from Pre-Kinder to graduation. Over 25 nationalities are represented on the ISS campus and many children speak as many as three languages. The core curriculum leads to a US diploma and is taught entirely in English by certified educators of various nationalities. All students also take Spanish language and Dominican Social Studies courses each year of school.
The Secondary daily schedule consists of three 60-minute ‘block’ periods three days of each week and one 45-min period for the 1.00 credit courses. Our school calendar is comprised of two semesters, and the school year is, at least, 180 days in length.
The International School of Sosúa Secondary offers a rigorous academic program based on Common Core Standards, AERO Social Studies Standards and the Next Generation Science Standards. Class offerings may change from year to year based on the needs of current students.
Advanced Placement courses have been offered since 2009. In the academic school year, 2020-20201, consistent AP courses in the five main subject areas were solidified; AP Calculus AB, AP Human Geography & AP World History, AP Physics C: Mechanics, AP English Literature & AP English Language, and AP Spanish Literature & AP Spanish Language.
Fall 2021 will marke the addition of AP Comparative Government & Politics, AP Statistics, and AP Biology; as well as the AP Capstone Diploma offering. Enrollment in AP classes is open to Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors abiding by the College Board philosophy to allow all students the opportunity to enroll. Students are awarded US High School diplomas and the Dominican Republic diploma upon graduation.
Faculty
The International School of Sosúa Secondary School has a staff of twelve teachers. The majority of the staff hold Master’s degrees in their field of teaching. They all offer substantial experience as educators, are multilingual in many cases, and several have received recognition in the USA or UK as innovators in their area of expertise.
Accreditation and Associations
- Cognia, United States of America; accredited school
- Ministerio de Educación de la REpública Dominicana, Dominican Republic; recognized school
- Association of Colombian, Caribbean, & American Schools (ACCAS), member
- Tri-Association: American Schools of Central America, Colombia, Caribbean & Mexico, member
- Academy of International School Heads, member
Athletics and Activities
Boy’s Sports: Volleyball, Indoor Soccer, Basketball
Girl’s Sports: Volleyball, Field Soccer, Indoor Soccer
Activities and Clubs: Student Council, National Honor Society, Model United Nations, Journalism
Graduation Requirements for Class of 2022
All students enrolled in ISS complete a program of study leading to the US High School Diploma and the Dominican High School diploma. Additionally, all students must complete a minimum of 60 hours of community service during their high school career.
International School of Sosúa, graduation requirements
Courses & Credit Hours from 9th-12th
English - 4
Spanish - 4
Social Studies - 4
Dominican Social Studies -4
Science - 4
Mathematics - 4
Fine Arts -1
Physical Education - 1
Electives - 2
TOTAL - 28
Credit hours are calculated using Carnegie units. The Carnegie Unit defines a semester unit of credit as equal to a minimum of three hours of work per week for a semester.
Note: Fractions of Carnegie units may be assigned for quarter or semester courses.
Test Scores
Graduating Class of 2021 SAT score averages (to date December 2020):
EBRW - 567
Math - 587
Composite - 1153
USA avg. (2019)
531
528
1059