Port-au-Prince, Haiti: Union School: 2023-2024 Fact Sheet

The Union School, founded in 1919, is a private, coeducational day school offering an American-style college-preparatory education to students of all nationalities in pre-kindergarten through grade 12. The school year comprises two semesters extending from late August to mid-January and from mid-January to mid-June.

Organization: The school is governed by a seven-member board of trustees; elected members serve three-year terms. Terms are staggered so that two members are elected each year. The Union School General Assembly elects the board. Membership in the assembly is automatically conferred on the parents or guardians of children enrolled in the school. The school is incorporated and tax-exempt in the United States, and it is legally constituted as a “Public Utility” under Haitian law.

Curriculum:  The curriculum is that of U.S. college-preparatory schools. Instruction is in English. One hundred percent of the graduates go on to colleges and universities. The school works diligently to meet the needs of all students. The resource center services students in need of special education, ESL, reading remediation, and enrichment classes when staffing is available. The school also runs an increasingly extensive program ranging from recreational to academic activities during and after school. Cognia accredits the school in the United States.

Due to COVID-19 Pandemic, we began the school year following a ‘hybrid program”. All of our elementary, grade 6, and special needs students attend school daily. However, our middle school and high school students follow onsite delivery and learning for one week, and virtual delivery and learning the following week. The school is currently constructing four additional classrooms to allow full onsite learning of all of our students.

Faculty: In the 2023-2024 school year, Union School has 48 total staff including 26 teachers, 9 of whom are U.S. citizens, 14 host-country nationals, and 3 third-country nationals. 91% of our teaching staff obtain a bachelor’s degree or above.

Enrollment: As of September, for the academic year 2023-2024, enrollment is 223 (PreK – grade 5: 94, grades 6 -8: 60, grade 9 – 12: 69).  Of the total enrollment, 174 are U.S. citizens, 28 are host-country nationals, and 21 third-country nationals.

Facilities: The school is on an attractive campus that houses the program in three buildings. These buildings contain elementary and secondary classrooms, a library, a clinic, an art room, two science labs; chemistry and biology, of which the biology lab was recently expanded and renovated, two stationary labs and a mobile computer lab, a projection room, and various offices. The aforementioned science lab includes two 3-D printers. A multipurpose covered area provides space for assemblies and school activities. The school has a snack bar, which serves hot lunches. Physical education classes are held on the volleyball/basketball center court, the gym, and the artificial turf soccer field. One hundred percent of the classrooms are equipped with ceiling-mounted projectors and interactive whiteboards. Classroom laptop sets, e-readers, and various learning software applications are also available to students and teachers. Each class has an online learning space located at http://courses.unionschool.edu.ht. The renovated and extended art and music rooms allow for many more activities and opportunities in humanities. The STEAM program is currently integrated into the curriculum and resources are housed within the classrooms. Our greenhouse located on the second floor adjacent to the elementary classrooms has also recently been renovated.

Finances: In the 2023-2024 school year, 98% of the school’s income derives from tuition. Annual tuition rates, including books and technology and activity fees, are as follows: PK-K: $5,675; grades 1-2: $11,530; grades 3-5: $12,965; grades 6-8: $14,695; and grades 9-12: $16,585. New students must pay an application fee of $200 and a one-time entrance fee of $2,500. Other fees may apply depending on student needs. (All fees 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