1992
Grand opening of the Bilingual Kid’s Korner Nursery School
Altamira International School
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 VergaraSchool Director
Who We Are
Learn. Lead. Serve.
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
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
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
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
Design of the Altamira International School emblem.
2002
Acquisition of the first fleet of buses.
2003
Improvements in infrastructure
2004
New library of the Altamira International School.
Presentation of our first musical performed by the tenth-grade students, titled “Grease,” in 2004.
2005
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.
2006
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.
2007
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.
2008
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.
2009
Inauguration of the Antonio Ruiz Angulo Coliseum.
Presentation of our sixth musical performed by the tenth-grade students, titled “West Side Story,” in 2009.
2010
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.
2011
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.
2012
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.
2013
Presentation of our tenth musical performed by the tenth-grade students, titled “Footloose,” in 2013.
2014
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.
2015
Presentation of our twelfth musical performed by the tenth-grade students, titled “Peter Pan,” in 2015.
Implementation of the Healthy Eating Program.
2016
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.
2017
Celebration of the 25th anniversary.
Presentation of our fourteenth musical performed by the tenth-grade students, titled “Team Beach,” in 2017.
2018
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.
2019
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
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.
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
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
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 service, honesty, accountability, respect, and kindness.