Education
School Sections
At the John F. Kennedy School we offer a K-12 education composed of four school sections: Pre-school, Elementary School, Middle School and High School. Currently, there are approximately 1350 students at the JFK.
School Teachers
In this school we support constant training for our teaching personnel in a process of continuous education. We are proud of our teachers, who have a bicultural and international focus.
They are highly qualified professionals with full knowledge of the modern teaching methods found in excellent international schools.
At present our academic personnel is composed of 161 teachers of whom 21% are foreigners: British, Canadian, United States, Chilean, and Spanish. 36% of these has a Master's degree or are working on one. The school has a program for bringing personnel up to date and for continuous training, including a Master's degree program approved by SACS.
Curriculum
The curriculum is integrated across all subjects in a balanced approach between basic skills and whole language methodology. Skills are assessed externally using standardized evaluations such as the Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills (CTBS), Gates MacGinitie Reading Tests, TOEFL, SAT, PSAT, and examinations for International Baccalaureate certificates and diploma. Skills are assessed internally on an ongoing basis using school wide standards.
Wise Skills
Wise Skills is oriented toward the formation of values and is applied in all our school sections. This innovative program teaches its content in a dynamic manner so that the student develops qualities of character with respect to social responsibility.
Cross Age Tutoring
The John F. Kennedy School is an educational institution that values new ideas and forms of learning. The most recent research about how students learn recognizes the advantages of including diverse styles of learning. Experiences which integrate new knowledge must be provided.
Therefore the school organizes projects which involve the students tutoring other students as a service to the school community. It is a great learning experience for the tutors and the younger students being tutored.
By means of this program we encourage the desire to help others; how better than by beginning within the school community? Each student has the chance to discover his/her talents and qualities, and that using our time to benefit others will bring us great satisfaction.
Arts
Art programs in our school are designed by each school section according to the interests, knowledge, degree of maturity, and skills of the students.
Students develop dexterity and manual skills, observation, imagination, and creativity. Art education is an essential part of each child's formation and serves to increase interest and appreciation for the arts during one's whole life.The art program includes the visual arts, theater, and music.
The planning for this program covers an extensive range of levels of development for all the students in the school. The students learn the content and techniques which make each of the arts unique in its field. Instruction within the art and music program is based on aesthetic perception, creative expression, cultural and historical patrimony.
A variety of art workshops are offered at the high school level which permit the student to uncover an imaginative focus derived from his/her creativity and skill in order to develop intelligent and original ideas.
Community Service
The school teaches boys and girls-young men and women, in an inclusive environment. This model reflects the wider community. Respect for self and others and the need to practice personal liberty within a context of social responsibility are emphasized.
The school believes in creating contexts in which the better aspects of our humanity are given opportunities to emerge. The school works to provide students with situations in which they can join others in positive efforts to improve the world around them. A permanent Social Service and Environmental Education Program are in place in which students can take leadership roles to help others in need in their future community lives.
Activities requiring collaboration and cooperation bring added value to students over simple competitive skills. The sports program places an emphasis upon the need for personal competitive abilities along with teaching the benefits of teamwork and working for the common.