Academia Cotopaxi American International School

De Las Higuerillas Y Alondras (Monteserrín), Quito, Pichincha 170503, Ecuador. The school is located in Quito. Phone: 593 2 3823270.

Early Years; Elementary School; Middle School; High School.

private, independent, coeducational American international day school.

Nationalities represented: 35 countries. Most common nationality among international students: North American (28%). International students comprise 60% of the student body; Ecuadorian students 40%.

Affiliated with the United States as an American international school; offers a U.S. high school diploma.

A bus service is provided; safety protocols are in place for school buses.

Three diploma options are available: United States High School Diploma; Ecuadorian High School Diploma; and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. The IB Diploma is open to all AC High School Students. AC High School is one of the first IB World Schools in the region, grounding learning in IB Practices. The high school can pursue the IB Diploma during junior and senior years or enroll in individual IB courses; all IB diploma candidates complete Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay, and CAS. The language of instruction is English, with Spanish integrated into the curriculum, and the school holds NEASC accreditation.

SAT Summary Class of 2026: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing mean score 595; Math mean score 651; Total 1247; 8 students tested.

100% of graduates attend four-year universities. 95% of graduates in the last five years enrolled in international universities. The Class of 2024 earned $16 million in scholarship offers. The Class of 2025 earned $25 million in scholarship offers.

An advanced learner program provides the rigor and challenge that high-performing and Gifted students need.

The Counseling Department provides professional, consistent, and student-centered care. It is led by the school Psychologist and Head Counselor, Tania Espinosa del Durán-Ballén, and is aligned with international best practices. The department supports student well-being across all divisions. It uses a comprehensive social-emotional learning (SEL) approach that includes group and grade-level lessons and support, individual counseling sessions, family guidance and support, parent and community education opportunities, and teacher training and collaboration. The program integrates SEL into the school culture to support students' social and emotional development.

The Learning Support Program serves students from 12 months through Grade 12. It provides support for mild and moderate learning needs, and for a limited number of students who require significant learning support. The program is led by Learning Support Coordinator Soledad Valencia, and the team maintains a unified, schoolwide approach with ongoing professional learning to ensure high-quality support and care for all students. The program emphasizes that all children can be successful learners and grow into confident self-advocates. The Learning Support team collaborates with teachers to tailor accommodations and interventions as needed.

Academia Cotopaxi is a language-rich, English-medium international school. English is the primary language of instruction, and all students also receive Spanish language instruction tailored to their fluency level—from beginner to native speakers. Most students join with English as an additional language (EAL), so a robust English Language Support program is provided. Internal English Language Support for Grades 1–12 is available, and external support through the Language and Testing Center includes an Intensive English Program. The English Language Support Coordinator and dedicated EAL teachers provide individualized planning, scheduling, and instruction for every student receiving services, with the goal of developing strong English skills quickly to engage in the school's rigorous academic and enrichment programs.

Mental well-being is supported through the Counseling Department, which provides professional, student-centered care and SEL programming across divisions. Counseling services include group and individual sessions and are designed to support emotional health and resilience. The team offers family guidance and support, and provides parent and community education opportunities. Teachers receive training and collaborate with counselors to integrate well-being practices in daily learning. The department maintains a commitment to ongoing professional development to sustain high-quality mental health support.

The school is committed to safeguarding and child protection. It has a Child Protection Policy and Protocols that follow international safeguarding standards. It complies with Ecuadorian educational regulations. Safeguarding is integrated into school operations through policies, training, and everyday practice to protect students and maintain a safe learning environment. The school communicates safeguarding measures to families and staff.

1. Submit an Enquiry. Fill out our Enquiry Form to connect with our Admissions Office. 2. Get to know our campus. Schedule a tour to visit our campus or join an Open House event. 3. Complete the Application. After submitting your enquiry, the admissions team will send you the application form. 4. Assessment and Interview. Our admissions team will schedule an interview and conduct age-appropriate assessments when required. 5. Enrollment. If accepted, submit the final documents to complete enrollment and become part of the AC community.

Need-based Financial Aid program launching in the 2026–27 school year. Financial aid is available to families who demonstrate financial need and whose children show strong academic potential and exemplary behavior. How to apply: indicate interest in need-based financial aid during the enquiry process; submit the required financial aid application fee; complete the full need-based financial aid evaluation; if eligible, proceed with the standard admissions process; and if accepted, tuition will reflect the approved financial aid award. Eligibility: awards are granted only to students who demonstrate strong academic performance and exemplary behavior; eligibility is reviewed annually; families must sign a Financial Aid Agreement; aid is available only for grade levels with open seats. For assistance, contact financialaid@cotopaxi.k12.ec.