OUR SCHOOL
WELCOME TO THE ALTAMIRA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
We are more than just a place of learning; we are a community that nurtures values, encourages excellence and fosters a love for life’s diverse experiences. We are dedicated to preparing our students for a future that demands not only knowledge but also character, compassion, creativity, and the ability to be agents of change.
Together, we are shaping a brighter future for our students and our world.
Mrs. Priscilla Ruiz de Vergara
School Director
WHO WE ARE
MISSION
We create opportunities for discovery and reflection by engaging the minds, hands and hearts of our students to inspire in them the curiosity to learn, the self-confidence to Lead and the compassion to serve.
VISION
To become an inspirational, innovative and inviting school where our students are empowered to be college ready, globally competitive integral leaders, prepared to change the world
OUR HISTORY
Grand opening of the Bilingual Kid’s Korner Nursery School
Name change to American Korner Learning Center.
The owners (Priscilla Ruiz de Vergara and her husband, Henry Vergara Munárriz) decided to continue growing as a PK-12th grade school.
The nursery, the growing first and second grade sections, MOVED to the new location situated at Cra. 50 # 79-136.
Expansion of the new location rental of the adjacent house at the address Cra. 50 # 79-136.
Acquisition of the land for the construction of the new rural campus.
Approval from the ministry of education as a preschool, primary, and secondary education center.
Beginning of construction of the new rural campus located at km 10, Puerto Colombia highway.
Name change to Altamira International School.
Design of the Altamira International School emblem.
Acquisition of the first fleet of buses.
Improvements in infrastructure
New library of the Altamira International School.
Presentation of our first musical performed by the tenth-grade students, titled “Grease,” in 2004.
Graduation of the first senior class, 2005.
Introduction of the Reggio Emilia philosophy in the nursery and preschool sections.
Presentation of our second musical performed by the tenth-grade students, titled “Chicago,” in 2005.
Presentation of our third musical performed by the tenth-grade students, titled “Mamma Mia,” in 2006.
Altamira International School received candidate status for AdvancED-SACS certification.
Celebration of the 15th anniversary
Construction of the third floor at the countryside campus, Km 10 Puerto Colombia road.
Presentation of our fourth musical performed by the tenth-grade students, titled “High School Musical,” in 2007.
Launch of the master’s program with Buffalo State University in New York.
Our fifth musical performed by the tenth-grade students, titled “Hairspray,” in 2008.
Inauguration of the Antonio Ruiz Angulo Coliseum.
Presentation of our sixth musical performed by the tenth-grade students, titled “West Side Story,” in 2009.
Altamira joined the Association of Colombian and Caribbean American Schools (ACCAS).
AdvancED-SACS accreditation of Altamira International School.
Presentation of our seventh musical performed by the tenth-grade students, titled “Fame,” in 2010.
Renaming to Nido Altamira Kid’s Korner.
Acquisition of new buses with air conditioning.
Presentation of our eighth musical performed by the tenth-grade students, titled “The Lion King,” in 2011.
Launch of the “We Are Leaders” program.
Presentation of our ninth musical performed by the tenth-grade students, titled “The Wizard of Oz,” in 2012.
Presentation of our tenth musical performed by the tenth-grade students, titled “Footloose,” in 2013.
Re-accreditation by AdvancED-SACS of Altamira International School.
Presentation of our eleventh musical performed by the tenth-grade students, titled “Beauty and the Beast,” in 2014.
Presentation of our twelfth musical performed by the tenth-grade students, titled “Peter Pan,” in 2015.
Implementation of the Healthy Eating Program.
Launch of the virtual store.
Expansion of transportation routes and implementation of satellite monitoring and tracking.
Presentation of our thirteenth musical performed by the tenth-grade students, titled “Shrek,” in 2016.
Celebration of the 25th anniversary.
Presentation of our fourteenth musical performed by the tenth-grade students, titled “Team Beach,” in 2017.
Expansion and remodeling plan 2017 – 2022.
Presentation of our fifteenth musical performed by the tenth-grade students, titled “Grease,” in 2018.
Participation of honor society students and student council members in the LEAD (Leadership Experience and Development) program in Chicago for the development of experiential leadership skills in 2018.
Change of institutional image for Nido Altamira.
Inauguration of the “cafetorium” (cafeteria/auditorium) and new administrative offices.
AISMUN XV – Altamira has been developing an annual national Model United Nations conference since 2005. The model is a simulation where students represent diplomats from UN member countries and discuss issues of global concern.
OUR IDENTITY
INTERCULTURAL EDUCATION
FAMILY PARTICIPATION
KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge and information should be accessible to all students with the purpose of stimulating innovation, facilitating improvements in decision-making, and generating new knowledge. Information and communication technologies have provided invaluable tools for establishing knowledge foundations
LEADERSHIP
Our Students need to develop leadership skills through its permanence in the school in order to be able to make use of them in their future life.
OUR SYMBOLS
SCHOOL MASCOT
the Altamira Shark, embodies resilience and forward-thinking. Inspired by the mantra “Sharks never stop moving forward,” it encourages perseverance in the face of challenges. Similarly, “Sharks never look down; they always look up” promotes a positive outlook and a focus on success. As responsible Altamira Sharks, students are expected to uphold values of safety, honesty, accountability, respect, and kindness.
INSTITUTIONAL ANTHEM
INSTITUTIONAL SHIELD
The emblem of our institution symbolizes the collaboration between family and school to enhance student development, equipping them with skills to comprehend a constantly changing world, fostering appreciation for both Colombian and American cultures, and nurturing leadership and emotional intelligence to empower them as agents of change in their lives and communities.