Georgetown, Guyana: Georgetown International Academy: 2023-2024 Fact Sheet

The Georgetown International Academy is a private, coeducational day school that offers an educational program compatible with the United States system for nursery through grade 12.  The school has been in operation since 1971.  The school year consists of two semesters extending approximately from the middle of August to the end of January and from the end of January to the middle of June.

Organization: The school is governed by a school board of seven, comprised of parents who have been democratically elected by the parent association.  The school is incorporated in Guyana and operates within the laws of that country, but is fully accredited by Cognia, formerly known as AdvancED, in the U.S.

Curriculum: Georgetown International Academy follows a 180+ day school year schedule, beginning in August and ending in June. GIA offers a nursery through grade 12 U.S. accredited curriculum that is comparable to private, college preparatory schools in the U.S. and internationally. We utilize Common Core standards in the areas of English Language Arts and Mathematics and Next Generation Science standards. The curriculum at GIA is reviewed, implemented, revised, refined, and evaluated on a 5-year cycle to make sure that all are: up to date, meet US and international standards, support 21st century learning, and are developmentally appropriate for age and grade level expectations. Continuous curricular reviews reinforce the alignment of our curriculum with those of similar academic institutions worldwide. The curriculum is made up of standards that are applied at all grade levels. Under each standard are grade level specific benchmarks and indicators that identify skills and knowledge that students should attain by the end of each grade. The curriculum is supported by teaching methodologies that create a student-centered learning environment that use inquiry based investigations, discussions, projects, demonstrations, modeling, role play, group work, interdisciplinary units and assignments. In addition to the core curriculum, GIA’s academic program is augmented by music, art, French, Spanish, and physical education. GIA’s curriculum is designed to take advantage of the unique educational opportunities provided by the school’s location in Guyana.

Faculty: In the 2023-2024 school year, GIA has 110 total staff including 56 teachers, 19 of whom are U.S. citizens, 24 host-country nationals, and 8 third-country nationals. Our faculty and staff represent the USA, Guyana, Trinidad, Jamaica, Philippines, Paraguay, and Venezuela.

Enrollment:  At the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year, enrollment was 344. Of the total, 141 were U.S. citizens, 46 were host-country nationals, and 157 were third-country nationals.

Facilities:  We’re thrilled to announce our relocation to a state-of-the-art educational facility that’s designed to provide the best possible learning environment for our students. Here’s a snapshot of what you can find in our new three-story building. Cutting-edge laboratories: our facility boasts fully equipped physics and chemistry labs. These labs are not just spaces for experiments; they’re environments where students can explore the wonders of science through hands-on learning. Maker space: dive into innovation in our modern maker space. It’s the perfect place for students to turn their ideas into reality, fostering creativity, problem-solving, and innovation. Inspiring library: our brand new library is a sanctuary for learners. It’s stocked with a diverse collection of books and resources, providing a quiet space for study, research, and literary exploration. Creative haven: immerse yourself in the world of art and music in our dedicated annex. It’s a place where budding artists and musicians can nurture their talents and let their creativity soar. Fitness and play: our gymnasium offers opportunities for physical fitness and organized sports activities. Additionally, we have two playgrounds for younger students and a soccer field for outdoor fun and exercise.  Spacious learning environment: spread across three stories, our facility offers spacious classrooms and collaborative spaces. This layout encourages various teaching methods, ensuring an engaging and dynamic educational experience. At Georgetown Academy, we believe that a stimulating environment is essential for effective learning. Our new facility is a testament to our commitment to providing our students with the resources they need to thrive academically, creatively, and physically. We’re excited to embark on this educational journey in our new home.

Finances: The school’s income is derived from tuition. In the 2023-2024 school year, annual tuition rates for international enrollment supported by international agency are as follows: N (1/2 day): $6,000; Pre-K:9,000; K: $14,500; grades 1-3: $21,400; grades 4-6: $26,300; grades 7-8: $27,500, and grades 9-12: $28,500. The school also charges a one-time registration fee of $200, and a one-time building and development fee of $20,000 (All fees are quoted in U.S. dollars.)

Special Needs: Review the Special Needs Profile for this school to learn more about their capability to support students with exceptionalities.

This Fact Sheet is intended to provide general information. Prospective users of the schools may wish to inquire further of A/OPR/OS or contact the school directly for more specific and up-to-the-minute information. Information and statistics are current as of September 2023 and provided by the school.