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International School of Sosúa

Dominican Republic, Sosúa

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, Spanish
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 1 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 250
Type Co-educational
Opened 1989
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP)
Taught languages Spanish, English
Typical class size 21
Strengths STEM, Academic Enrichment, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Leadership and Professional, Community and Service
Stages Infant/Toddler Care, Early Years, Primary School, Middle School, High School
Introduction

International School of Sosúa is a private day school in the Dominican Republic offering an English-taught American curriculum that leads to a US high school diploma and a Dominican Republic diploma. The campus spans 10 acres of farmland and includes an engineering center, a library, a science lab, a martial arts dojo, a cafeteria/multi-purpose building, and athletic facilities including a covered court, a volleyball/basketball court, and a soccer field. Academically, ISS uses a standards-based approach aligned to Common Core for English and Math, Next Generation Science Standards, and AERO Social Studies, with Dominican MOE curricula in Spanish and Sociales. AP courses are available to Sophomores through Seniors, including AP Spanish Language and Literature, World History, English Language and Literature, and Psychology. The school is accredited by Cognia, ACCAS/Tri-Association, NCAA, and the Dominican Ministry of Education. Clubs include Model United Nations, Debate, and the Fidelis Chapter of the National Honor Society.

International School of Sosua, C. La Mulata 1, Sosúa 57000, Dominican Republic

The Essentials

International School of Sosúa has 250 pupils, typical class sizes of 21, instruction in English, Spanish.

Location
La Mulata 1, El Batey, Sosúa, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. The campus sits on 10 acres of farmland with classroom clusters among tropical palms and an organic garden. It is on the sunny north coast of the Dominican Republic.

Stages
Infants through Grade 12; day school.

Type
Private, non-sectarian, co-educational day school; English-taught curriculum leading to a US diploma.

Pupil Nationality Mix
Around 250 students; 25+ nationalities represented.

Additional learning support
Learning Support Specialist provides tailored resources, guidance to students, creates personalized learning plans with teachers, and helps arrange tutoring.

Country affiliation
Dominican Republic; accredited by Cognia (USA) and the Dominican Republic's Ministerio de Educación, with NCAA and ACCAS/Tri-Association memberships.

Religious affiliation
Non-sectarian.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
The school is a day school.

Uniform Requirement
Uniforms are required for all students. K–5 wear an ISS athletic shirt or ISS Polo Shirt with navy slacks/shorts/skorts/leggings and must wear tennis shoes; sleeveless shirts are not permitted. Grades 6–12 wear an ISS Polo Shirt with navy slacks/capris/dress shorts/skorts; tennis shoes are required and flip-flops are not allowed; long-sleeved sweaters or jackets may be worn in cold weather; the PE uniform is an ISS athletic T-shirt with navy blue or black athletic shorts and athletic shoes, and students change for PE.

Food Options
The school has a cafeteria on site.

Governance and Ownership
Executive Officers: Ivonne Strauss de Milz, President (Founder, Ownership Group); Jose Loinaz, Vice-President (Alumni Parent); Ricardo Strauss, Treasurer (Alumni Parent, Ownership Group). Members-at-Large: Yudelkis Cid (Parent); Juan Perdomo (Community Member).
Fees
Application fees

- Admission test: USD 20.
- Admission fee: the admission fee is payable in full at acceptance and is non‑refundable; the school's public materials state the admission fee must be paid in full but do not publish a single fixed amount for the admission fee.

Tuition fees by year group (annual and per term)

- The school does not publish a detailed, grade-by-grade tuition schedule in the publicly available enrollment materials for the 2026/27 or 2025/26 academic year.
- Approximate annual range reported by local/expat community sources: USD 5,000 to USD 11,000 per year depending on grade level and program charges (lower amounts reported for preschool/elementary; higher amounts for secondary with laboratory/AP/matriculation costs). These figures are estimates from community and local guides and should be treated as approximate.

Per-term amounts and minimum payment rule

- Minimum payment: regardless of time spent at the school, the minimum tuition payment due on enrollment is equivalent to one semester. Specific per-term tuition figures and exact term-by-term billing amounts are not published in the school's publicly posted materials. Families must complete a payment plan option as part of finalized enrollment.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Finalized enrollment requires completion of the selected payment plan, submission of registration forms, and payment of the Parent‑Teacher Association membership fee and PTA disclaimer. The public materials require families to complete the payment plan option to finalize enrollment.
- Sibling / family discounts:
- Admission fee sibling discount: first child pays 100% of the new family admission fee; second child pays 75%; subsequent children pay 50% of the new family admission fee.
- Tuition sibling discount: a 25% tuition discount is applied for the 3rd and 4th child from the same family.

Withdrawal / refund policy

- Tuition reimbursement for withdrawals prior to the academic year is applied as follows:
- On or before June 30: 60% tuition reimbursement.
- On or before July 31: 50% tuition reimbursement.
- On or after August 1: no tuition reimbursement.
- The school's public materials also state that a non‑refundable withdrawal school fee (specified in the school's fee policy) is charged per child and that a minimum of one semester's tuition will be charged unless the child is withdrawn within a short grace period after entry. Exact numeric values for the standard admission fee and some withdrawal charges are not published in the publicly posted enrollment documents.
- Exceptional circumstances: families may submit a formal written request for consideration of refunds in force majeure or extraordinary situations; such requests are reviewed by the Board of Directors.

Boarding fees

- The International School of Sosúa operates as a day school; no boarding program or boarding fees are listed in the school's publicly available admissions materials. No boarding fees are published.

Other costs and routinely assessed charges

- Admission test: USD 20 (charged as part of the admissions process).
- Agenda replacement (grades 3–8): USD 10 replacement fee if the student misplaces the school agenda.
- Locker costs (secondary students): a US USD 120 charge is levied for purposeful locker damage; a USD 15 charge is assessed for lost or damaged locks.
- Library and school materials: families are responsible for replacement costs for lost/damaged library books and for any fees associated with renting school resources (for example calculators); fees for online course materials or external exam fees (AP, external coursework) are invoiced to families where applicable. The school may also charge fees for specific activities, field trips, or special services.

Refund information (summary)

- Refunds for withdrawal before the academic year follow the tiered schedule: 60% if on or before June 30; 50% if on or before July 31; none on or after August 1. Exceptional or force‑majeure requests may be considered by written submission to the Board. A withdrawal processing/administrative fee and a minimum one‑semester charge apply in many cases as stated in the school's fee policy.

Fee payment options and how payments are managed

- Public materials require completion of a payment plan to finalize enrollment but do not list specific accepted payment channels (for example, a public list of bank transfer, credit card, or other providers is not published in the enrollment pages or admission forms). Families are instructed to complete the payment plan and coordinate payment details with the school's administrative/finance office. Contact details (school phone and office email) are published for direct coordination.

Notes on available data and figures

- The school's public admissions pages and PDFs include clear policy statements (minimum one‑semester payment rule, sibling discounts, reimbursement schedule, small specified charges such as the USD 20 admission test and locker/agenda replacement fees) but do not publish a full, grade‑by‑grade tuition schedule or per‑term price list for the 2026/27 or 2025/26 years in the materials accessible publicly. The annual tuition range given above (USD 5,000–11,000) is an approximate range reported in local/expat guides and community summaries; it is provided here only as an estimate where a precise published schedule was not available in the school's publicly posted documents.
Academics

International School of Sosúa teaches American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP) for students aged 1 to 18.

Curriculum
The school uses a standards-based curriculum aligned to Common Core Standards for English and Math, AERO Social Studies Standards, and Next Generation Science Standards. In classes taught in Spanish (Spanish and Sociales), the Dominican Ministry of Education curriculum is implemented. In Secondary, the daily schedule consists of four 80-minute block periods four days per week, with courses rotating on A Days and B Days; on Wednesdays students attend all eight classes for a shortened period. The school year is comprised of two semesters and totals 180 days. Advanced coursework is available through Advanced Placement (AP) offerings, including AP Spanish Literature & Composition, AP World History, AP English Literature, AP European History, AP English Language & Composition, AP Spanish Language, AP Psychology, AP Human Geography, and several others; AP classes are available to Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors. ISS prepares students for post-secondary education in the country of their choice.

Student Teacher Ratio
Class sizes are 20-21 students per class.

Higher Education Progression
The school prepares students for post-secondary education in the country of their choice.

Gifted and Talented
AP courses are offered to Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors, including AP Spanish Literature & Composition, AP World History, AP English Literature, AP European History, AP English Language & Composition, AP Spanish Language, AP Psychology, and AP Human Geography (with several others referenced).
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school has Guidance Counseling to assist students and families with admissions steps, essays, and financial aid; the Learning Support Specialist provides tailored resources and guidance to help students overcome academic challenges, develop effective study habits, and create personalized learning plans with teachers.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school has a Learning Support Specialist dedicated to fostering academic success for every student, offering tailored resources and guidance and helping create personalized learning plans.

Mental Wellbeing
The school has Guidance Counseling to support students in personal development and planning, and a School Doctor to provide medical care and health services to support wellbeing.
Parent Experience

History
The International School of Sosúa was founded by Ivonne Strauss de Milz. Ivonne Strauss de Milz serves as President and represents the ownership group. Executive Officers include Ivonne Strauss de Milz as President (Founder, Ownership Group); Jose Loinaz as Vice-President; Ricardo Strauss as Treasurer; and Members-at-Large Yudelkis Cid and Juan Perdomo. ISS has a strategic plan for 2023-2028 developed by a steering committee including the Head of School, staff, students, and parents. The campus sits on 10 acres with upgraded facilities including a library, an engineering center, a science lab, a martial arts dojo, a cafeteria/multi-purpose building, and an athletic complex. The school is accredited by Cognia, the Ministerio de Educación de la República Dominicana, NCAA, International Eco-Schools (Bronze), ACCAS, and Tri-Association.

Community
ISSOSUA has a diverse, family-oriented community with students from 25+ nationalities. The campus spans 10 acres and features a library, an engineering center, a science lab, a martial arts dojo, and a cafeteria. Community events are organized by the Parent-Teacher Association, Student Government, and school staff. Student Groups include the Student Council, National Honor Society (Fidelis Chapter), and Model United Nations & Debate.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The school has a Parent-Teacher Association. PTA activities are part of ISSOSUA's Community Events program. Events are organized by the PTA in collaboration with Student Government and school staff. These activities foster family involvement in school life.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The International School of Sosúa is a fully accredited, co-educational, non-sectarian private Infants-Grade 12 day school on the north coast of the Dominican Republic. The student body is around 250 students and about 40 staff. The core curriculum leads to a US diploma and is taught entirely in English by certified educators of various nationalities, with Spanish language and Dominican Social Studies each year. The campus sits on 10 acres of farmland and features classroom clusters amidst tropical palm trees and an organic garden, with upgraded facilities including an engineering center, library, science lab, cafeteria/multi-purpose building, and a martial arts dojo. The athletic complex consists of a large covered multi-use court, an outdoor volleyball/basketball court and a soccer field. Students are awarded US High School diplomas and the Dominican Republic diploma upon graduation.

Sports Facilities
The athletic complex consists of a large covered multi-use court, an outdoor volleyball/basketball court and a soccer field.

Academic Facilities
Classroom clusters are housed amidst tropical palm trees and an organic garden. An engineering center is on campus. A library is on campus for student research. A science lab supports science instruction.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Student Groups include the Student Council. The Fidelis Chapter of the National Honor Society (NJHS/NHS) is active. Model United Nations and Debate programs are offered.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Model United Nations and Debate programs exist. The NSDA affiliation strengthens competition, critical thinking, public speaking, and leadership through discussions on current issues. Advanced Placement courses are offered, including AP Spanish Literature & Culture, AP Spanish Language, AP World History, AP English Language & Composition, AP English Literature & Composition, AP Psychology, and AP Human Geography; Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors may take AP courses with exam participation based on performance and teacher recommendation.

Cultural & Language
Model United Nations and Debate programs foster global citizenship and cross-cultural communication. Classes in Spanish (Spanish and Sociales) follow the Dominican Ministry of Education curricula. Spanish language offerings include AP Spanish Language and AP Spanish Literature & Culture. The school values diversity and organizes events through the Parent-Teacher Association, Student Government, and school staff.

Community & Service
The Fidelis Chapter of the National Honor Society emphasizes service. Community Events are organized by the Parent-Teacher Association, Student Government, and school staff.

Leadership & Professional
The Student Council exists to promote knowledge and involvement, scholarship and leadership, support school activities and policies, and foster communication between students and staff. The Fidelis Chapter of the National Honor Society recognizes outstanding students for scholarship, leadership, service, and character. Model United Nations and Debate foster global citizenship and develop critical thinking, public speaking, and leadership.
Languages

Language Provision
English is the language of instruction for the core program. Spanish is taught as a language course each year; Spanish and Social Studies are taught in Spanish under the Dominican Ministry of Education.

Bilingual Teaching
The school does not provide bilingual education.
Reputation

Accreditations
Cognia, United States of America; accredited school
Ministerio de Educación de la República Dominicana, Dominican Republic; accredited school
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA); accredited school
International Eco-Schools, Bronze member
Association of Colombian, Caribbean, & American Schools (ACCAS); member
Tri-Association: American Schools of Central America, Colombia, Caribbean & Mexico; member
Admissions

Admissions
1. Submit an Admissions Inquiry Form or New Family Application to begin the process. The Admissions Office supports the application and the school offers a US college-preparatory curriculum in grades Pre-K2 through 12. Admission decisions are made by the Admissions Committee in accordance with the ISS Admissions Policy. Admissions inquiries may schedule an appointment with the Admissions Officer, Ms. 2. Admission decisions are made by the Admissions Committee in accordance with the ISS Admissions Policy. The policy governs admissions decisions to ensure consistency in evaluating applicants. Decisions are based on factors including academic performance, behavior, available resources, and family background to maintain the school's standards. 3. Age requirements and grade placement: The International School of Sosúa uses a grade level cut-off of August 31. For Kindergarten, a child must be at least 5 years old, and for First Grade at least 6 years old before September 1. If a child does not meet the cut-off date, parents may enroll them in PK2 with the understanding that they will remain in PK2 until age-appropriate. 4. Registration & Fee Information: All parents must complete the New Family Application for first-year registration. The minimum tuition payment is equivalent to one semester of study. SCHOOL FEES equal ADMISSION FEES and ANNUAL FEES (TUITION); ADMISSION fees are a one-time payment for new students. FINALIZED ENROLLMENT includes completion of a payment plan option, completion of all registration forms, payment of the PTA Membership fee, and completion of the PTA disclaimer form. 5. Family discounts: Discounts are always applied to the youngest student(s) to be registered at the school. ADMISSION – First child pays 100%, second child 75%, and subsequent children 50% of the New Family Admission Fee. TUITION – a 25% discount applies for the 3rd and 4th child in the same family. 6. Reimbursement policies: For withdrawals, the school follows a tuition reimbursement structure. On or before June 30th: 60% tuition reimbursement; On or before July 31st: 50% tuition reimbursement; On or after August 1st: No tuition reimbursement. 7. Additional discounts: Corporate Fee, Friends & Family, and Alumni Discounts are available; for further information contact the school. 8. Hours and calendar: School hours are 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM; Business hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Classes usually start in mid-August and end in mid-June.
School Events
The school has not added events
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