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
1992 – 1994
1992
Grand opening of the Bilingual Kid’s Korner Nursery School
1993
Name change to American Korner Learning Center.
1994
The owners (Priscilla Ruiz de Vergara and her husband, Henry Vergara Munárriz) decided to continue growing as a PK-12th grade school.
1995 – 1997
1995
The nursery, the growing first and second grade sections, MOVED to the new location situated at Cra. 50 # 79-136.
1996
Expansion of the new location rental of the adjacent house at the address Cra. 50 # 79-136.
1997
Acquisition of the land for the construction of the new rural campus.
1998 – 2000
1998
Approval from the ministry of education as a preschool, primary, and secondary education center.
1999
Beginning of construction of the new rural campus located at km 10, Puerto Colombia highway.
2000
Name change to Altamira International School.
2001 – 2003
2001
Creation of the Aaltamira International School Crest.
2002
Inauguration of the first computer laboratory.
2000
Name change to Altamira International School.
2004 – 2006
IN 1994, THE OWNERS (PRISCILLA RUIZ DE VERGARA AND HER HUSBAND, HENRY VERGARA MUNÁRRIZ) DECIDED TO CONTINUE GROWING AS A PK-12TH GRADE SCHOOL.
2007 – 2009
ACQUISITION OF THE LAND FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW RURAL CAMPUS
2010 – 2012
APPROVAL FROM THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AS A PRESCHOOL, PRIMARY, AND SECONDARY EDUCATION CENTER.
BEGINNING OF CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW RURAL CAMPUS. RURAL LAND LOCATED AT KM 10, PUERTO COLOMBIA HIGHWAY
2013 – 2015
1ST ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF THE SCIENCE FAIR HELD BY THE STUDENTS
2016 – 2018
NAME CHANGE TO ALTAMIRA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
2019 – 2021
CREATION OF THE ALTAMIRA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL CREST
2022-2024
INAUGURATION OF THE FIRST COMPUTER LABORATORY
ACQUISITION OF THE FIRST FLEET OF BUSES
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.
OUR IDENTITY
INTERCULTURAL EDUCATION
An internationally-focused education emphasizing Spanish/English language proficiency, offering a holistic educational approach with an inclusive ethos. Our environment fosters respect and appreciation for cultural diversity across both contexts.
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.
FAMILY PARTICIPATION
The integration of the school and the family fosters coherence in information and education imparted, leading to the construction and execution of a shared vision and common project
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.
OUR SYMBOLS
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.
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
