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Elementary School / Campus Missouri N-5th

Welcome Letter for Prospective/New Students

The American School Foundation of Monterrey offers an excellent choice for English speaking students who transfer into the city of Monterrey. The School has an academically demanding, college preparatory program for students in grades Nursery through 12th grade. The instructional program is modeled after current US trends and methodologies and English is the main language of instruction. The breakdown of the student population is approximately 90 per cent Mexican nationals, and the remaining 10 percent is made up of US citizens and third country nationals.

The School recognizes that besides the regular adjustment challenges posed by any change in schools, students new to ASFM are faced with the additional task of meeting high academic expectations and integrating into a social environment consisting primarily of students who are native to Monterrey.

New students transferring from an equally demanding institution adapt readily to the instructional program. Students who come from less academic schools or who have learning differences, may require additional support outside of the regular classroom setting in order to be successful. In addition it is important to note that the cut off date for entry into the American School may vary in comparison to other institutions.. Students entering the Nursery program have to be 3.5 years of age by September 1st. That places students entering First Grade at 6.5 years. This often results in new students being younger than their same grade level peers and can have implications for grade level placement depending on the student' s developmental readiness and academic achievement.

The School is committed to supporting the success of every student and employs several initiatives throughout the year to help new students adjust to life at ASFM and to Monterrey. These include:

• New Family Orientation Night to receivie general information about the school. New parents meet members of the administration and support staff, and representatives from the PTA and the International Parent's network.
• New student orientation prior to the first day of school to meet teacher and visit classroom.
• International families are contacted by the International Family Network to assist the new family in their initial orientation to the community. New mothers are invited to attend the group meetings held on campus every other week, and facilitated by the Counselor. Members of the School staff attend these meetings to discuss pertinent issues and receive feedback.
• Orientation "Autograph"Book". This is an optional activity, depending on the teacher. New students and their "buddy" visit members of the support staff and "collect" their signature, giving them the opportunity to meet and interact with different professionals.
• Network of "buddies" through the International Families network and classmates.
• In class visits, and follow-up on the part of the Counselor through conversations with teacher, student and phone calls to parents.
• Use of the School wide themes of "Respect and "Walk in My Shoes" by teachers to promote a climate of respect , acceptance, and empathy towards others.
• Support for exiting families in their transition out of ASFM/Monterrey.

The School offers a Resource program to assist students with mild learning differences on a limited basis. Grade level learning specialists use both the inclusion and the pullout models based on each child' s learning style and needs. Interventions are usually three to five times per week and minor program modifications are implemented as needed. It is important to note however, that the Resource program does not have the breadth of support as similar programs in the U. S. Thus, the School may not adequately serve students with more severe learning differences and/or attention problems that require highly individualized programs.

Two full time psychologists are responsible for placement and diagnostic testing and are also available to staff and parents for consultation regarding students with special needs.

It is important that prospective families with special needs children look into this situation closely as most schools in the area do not offer special services for students who have learning differences.

The Optimal Match Program serves highly capable learners on a pullout basis beginning in Third Grade and through differenciated instruction at the classroom level in the earlier grades.

We appreciate your interest in the American School Foundation of Monterrey and encourage you to visit the rest of our website.

We welcome any contact by telephone, e-mail or personal visit as a means of providing you with more information about our school. Applications can be downloaded from our website and information regarding the application and admissions process should be directed to the Office of the Registrar whose information is found below.

If you choose to become a member of our parent community we look forward to working with you in making your child's experience at ASFM a successful one.

Sincerely,