Admissions
The American School of Puerto Vallarta is a small, US-accredited, co-ed, college preparatory school, which strives to be an exemplary international learning community that nurtures each student's full potential. We are a unified, caring community that focuses on learning and school improvement. We offer an American model of education, which incorporates the Mexican education system. ASPV has an open admission policy without regard to nationality, race, creed or religion. Our goal is to sustain a community of individuals representing diverse cultures and experiences. Therefore, the admissions committee seeks to build classes of intellectually capable students who bring the most diverse and interesting perspectives possible to the school community. 
Enrollment is contingent upon compliance with basic academic and behavioral standards. We consider both the school's ability to serve a student's educational needs and the student's ability to take advantage of the school's resources to make a positive contribution to the life of the school. We are a small school with only one group per grade level, so our admission process is highly competitive. Students with siblings who are already enrolled, dependents of ASPV employees or alumni and legacy students are given priority in admission.
FAQs
As you apply to ASPV you will have many questions. We are here to help you get all the information you need! Below are some of the common questions prospective parents and students ask us.
- Q. Is ASPV accredited?
-
The American School of Puerto Vallarta provides a quality "American-style" education to children living in the Puerto Vallarta vicinity. The School is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS-CASI), the Mexican Ministry of Education (SEP), and the National University of Mexico (UNAM).
Furthermore, ASPV is a member of ASOMEX, the Association of American Schools in Mexico, and is one of only four schools in Mexico officially sponsored by the U.S. Department of State's Office of Overseas Schools.
- Q. What nationalities make up the student body?
-
Depending on the school year, we run anywhere from 70-85% Mexican, about 15-20% American and the rest of other nationalities.
- Q. My children do not speak English. Are they eligible to apply?
-
Depending on the school year, we run anywhere from 70-85% Mexican, about 15-20% American and the rest of other nationalities.
Yes, we accept student who do not speak English in the Pre-school Grades. However, as the child gets older, it becomes more difficult to accept students without the required levels of English. By Middle School an adequate level English is one of the most important admissions requirements.
- Q. What are your tuition fees?
-
Our enrollment and tuition fees are revised each year. Please contact us for the latest school fees.
- Q. What are the school hours?
-
Pre-school and Elementary: 8:00 am to 2:30 pm.
Middle and High School: 8:00 am to 2:40 pm
- Q. What is your school year?
-
Our school year runs from the last week in August to the last week of June. We have 2 weeks off for Christmas break and 2 weeks off for Spring break.
- Q. Do you have after school care?
-
No, there is no after school care available.
- Q. Are the students required to wear uniforms?
-
Yes, all students wear a uniform. The daily uniform consists of khaki-colored pants, shorts or skirts and polo-type shirts with the school emblem. Shirts are available in white, blue and red. There is also a P.E. uniform the students wear on the days they have physical education.
- Q. Can the students purchase lunch or do they have to bring one?
-
Some families pack a lunch and others buy lunch at the school cafeteria.
- Q. Where do most of your students live?
-
Many families live in the Nuevo Vallarta area or in the Marina area.
- Q. Do you have transportation service?
-
We do not offer bus service.
- Q. Is it possible to talk to a parent from my home country, to help me better understand ASPV and life in Puerto Vallarta?
-
Absolutely, just contact Lisa Langley, our Admissions Director and she'll connect you with someone.
- Q. How early should I apply?
-
Re-enrollment begins in February of every year and that is when we begin looking at space availability per grade level. However, we are a very small school so the sooner you get your child on our list, the better his/her chances will be.
- Q. How easy is it to integrate into the student body?
-
Integration is not difficult at our school, since our students are accustomed to welcoming children from overseas. It takes most family's about a year to feel fully integrated, but much depends on the child's personality.
- Q. Is ASPV an AP (Advanced Placement) or IB (International Baccalaureate) school?
-
We follow the College Board's Advanced Placement Program (AP). We are now offering 7 AP classes: English Literature & Composition, Psychology, Comparative Government, Spanish Literature, Statistics, Studio Art 2-D, and Economics.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Lisa Langley
Director of Admissions & College
Guidance
E-mail:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Phone:
322-226-7672
Fax: 322-226-7677
Coty Piña
Admissions Assistant
E-mail:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Phone:
322-226-7672
Fax: 322-226-7677
Admission Procedure
STEP 1
A Parent or guardian should first look through the ASPV website and/or the New Student Information Packet available at the Admissions Office.
STEP 2
a) An appointment will be scheduled with the Director of Admissions to tour the school and clarify any questions.
b) Parent will complete the enrollment application form and send or deliver it to the Office of Admissions together with the following documents:
• Student's birth certificate
• Immunization records
• Transcripts or report cards from the current year and the previous 2 years. If standardized testing results are available, please include these as well.
• School recommendation form (if applying to grades 7-12).
This information can be sent electronically, via fax or delivered personally.
c) An appointment will be scheduled for the student to take a placement test.
STEP 3
A family interview will be scheduled with the Admissions Director to review placement test results and final admission decision. If space is available, then a formal acceptance letter will be sent via email, together with further steps required to complete the enrollment process.
Once Accepted...
All students must complete the enrollment form, and sign the enrollment contract and code of conduct, and pay all the required fees. All new students must pay a New Student Fee payable once during their lifetime with us in addition to the Yearly Enrollment and Materials fees in order to complete the enrollment process. Tuition is paid from September through June in ten monthly installments. Our enrollment and tuition fees are revised each year so please contact us for the latest school fees.
If a new Middle and High school student is not a Mexican citizen, he/she must present documents certified either with an Apostille stamp or by the Mexican consulate in addition to immigration papers (FM-3, FM-2 or current tourist card) and photographs (4 passport size).
students information Packets & Forms
You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print these forms.