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St. Michael's School

Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, Spanish
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 6 - 18 years
Type Co-educational
Opened 1991
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum American Curriculum
Taught languages English, Spanish, French
Strengths STEM, Languages, Academic Enrichment
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Leadership and Professional
Stages Primary School, Secondary School
Introduction

St. Michael's School offers an American curriculum taught in English, with Lengua Española y Estudios Sociales taught in Spanish. It serves grades 1-12 and is accredited by Cognia and MINERD. The standards-based program aligns with Common Core benchmarks and emphasizes higher-order thinking. The 180-day school year features seven periods per day, with graduates earning 29.1 credits. The campus includes a refreshed playing court, library and learning center on second floor, and Hub on first floor for dining and gatherings. A Robotics Laboratory and MakerSpace support hands-on STEM, with technology integrated across classes. Extracurriculars include Model United Nations, FIRST Robotics, Debate, and the National Honor Society. The school runs Guitar and Visual Arts clubs and offers Scouts and Roblox. Community service is integral, requiring 140 hours to graduate, and SMS participates in events with Centro de Educación Inicial San Martín de Porres. The Dolphin Cup is a biannual local soccer tournament.

Calle Hector Inchaustegui Cabral 8, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

The Essentials

St. Michael's School has instruction in English, Spanish.

Location
Héctor Inchaustegui #8, Ensanche Piantini, Santo Domingo, D.N., Dominican Republic. Ensanche Piantini is a neighbourhood in Santo Domingo.

Stages
1st through 12th grade

School day structure
180 days per year; daily schedule of 7 periods.
Diving Deeper

Governance and Ownership
St. Michael's School is governed by a seven-member Board of Directors representing the school's educational community, including representatives from the community, the financial sector, the academic sector, a former parent representative, a former alumni representative, and two vocal members, monitored by the Head of School. The Board, together with the Head of School, oversees all operational resources to ensure organizational and instructional effectiveness, as well as financial stability for the school. All decisions and actions carried out by the Board of Directors are in accordance with the School's vision, mission, and beliefs, and are intended to comply with U.S. Cognia standards (as set forth by Cognia) and MINERD requirements in the Dominican Republic. The Board meets three times during the school year and can be called into session for extraordinary meetings when necessary.
Fees
Application / Evaluation Fees
- Admissions/evaluation fee: RD$2,000.00 payable in cash at the school cashier on the day of the evaluation.

Deposit to Secure Place (Registration Deposit)
- For admitted students a non‑refundable, non‑transferable deposit is required to secure a place. For the 2026/27 intake the required deposit for Grade 1 is US$3,375.00; this deposit is applied to the selected tuition payment plan and must be paid within the stated deadline after admission. The deposit is explicitly described as non‑refundable and non‑transferable.

Tuition fees by year group / per term
- The school's public admissions and registration materials do not publish a grade‑by‑grade or term‑by‑term tuition schedule for the 2026/27 academic year. The required registration deposit is applied to a Tuition Payment Plan and the specific annual and per‑term tuition amounts and the full fee schedule are provided in the school's registration/Parent–School Agreement and tuition payment plan documents supplied to families at admission. (No publicly accessible, current table of tuition amounts per grade or per term was found in the school's published admissions or registration materials.)

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Deposit timing: the registration deposit must be paid within the deadline stated in the admissions confirmation (for 2026/27 Grade 1 deposits: within three days of admission). The deposit is applied to the selected Tuition Payment Plan and reduces the amount due under that plan.
- Payment plans: families select a Tuition Payment Plan (Plan de Pago) as part of the enrollment process; the deposit is applied against that plan and the balance is due according to the chosen plan schedule (the Tuition Payment Plan due month referenced for 2026/27 is February 2026). Specific installment dates and deadlines are set out in the contract/enrollment paperwork given to admitted families.
- Evaluation fee handling: the RD$2,000 evaluation fee is payable in cash at the cashier on evaluation day and is separate from the registration deposit.

Boarding / Residential fees
- No boarding or residential program or boarding fees are listed in the school's admissions or registration materials; the school operates as a day school and no boarding fee schedule is published.

Other costs and typical additional charges
- Uniforms: daily uniform and physical‑education uniform are required. Some uniform items (for example the school coat) are sold through the school store. Parents are responsible for purchasing the required uniform items.
- Textbooks: textbooks are rented yearly and remain property of the school; families are responsible for the cost of any lost or damaged books. Rental arrangements and replacement charges are managed through the school.
- School events, trips and extracurricular activities: excursions and other optional activities occur during the year and may be charged separately; costs for these activities are managed on an event‑by‑event basis.
- Admission/exam payment: the admissions/examination payment is identified as non‑refundable in the school's registration/contract documents.

Refund information
- The registration/Parent–School Agreement framework includes a refund policy. The school states that the registration/placement deposit is non‑refundable and non‑transferable for the relevant admissions cycle. Historic contract language used by the school (example contract provisions published with enrollment paperwork) defines a tiered refund schedule for withdrawal dates in earlier agreements (for example: 100% refund if withdrawal notified in February; 50% if notified before May 31; 25% for June 1–July 31; and no refunds after August 1 for that contract year). The admissions deposit and the admissions/exam fee are explicitly described as non‑refundable in current admissions materials.

Fee payment options (methods)
- Cash: the admissions/evaluation fee (RD$2,000) is explicitly payable in cash at the school cashier.
- Other payment methods: the publicly available admissions and registration materials reference Tuition Payment Plans and deposits but do not publish a complete list of accepted payment methods (for example bank transfer, credit/debit card, or online payment portals are not described in the published materials). Specific accepted payment methods and the mechanics for tuition installment payments are set out in the enrollment paperwork and tuition payment plan provided to admitted families.

Summary of items not publicly published in admissions materials
- A detailed tuition schedule showing per‑grade and per‑term tuition amounts for 2026/27 was not found in publicly available registration or admissions documents. Specific installment schedules and accepted payment methods beyond the cash evaluation fee are documented in the school's enrollment/tuition contract given to admitted families rather than posted as a public fee table.
Academics

St. Michael's School teaches American Curriculum for students aged 6 to 18.

Curriculum
The school delivers an international curriculum in English, with Lengua Española y Estudios Sociales taught in Spanish in compliance with MINERD requirements. The school serves 1st through 12th grade and is accredited by Cognia and MINERD. The curriculum uses a standards-based framework anchored in Common Core Curricular Standards and benchmarks, with a focus on higher-order thinking. The school year lasts 180 days with seven periods per day, and students earn 29.1 credits to graduate. Extracurriculars include Model United Nations, FIRST Robotics, Debate Club, and the National Honor Society, while Character Education and Religion are integrated into the program.

Higher Education Progression
81% of SMS graduates went to the United States, while 18% went to Europe and Latin America. Notable destinations include Northwestern University and UNIBE. Valedictorians include Sara Pagés, majoring in Data Science and Communications at Northwestern University, and Sara Gil, majoring in Psychology at UNIBE.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school teaches Social & Emotional Programs through Character Education, with virtues emphasized such as peace, respect, love, tolerance, happiness, responsibility, cooperation, humility, honesty, and simplicity. These virtues help students learn to resolve conflicts and foster a culture of peace, with explicit emphasis on tolerance, respect, honesty, and responsibility. Parent School (Escuela de Padres) provides resources to help families support healthy and happy homes aligned with SMS values. Una Esperanza (A Hope) is a year-round initiative focused on developing these virtues. Catholicism is taught as part of religion education while SMS remains secular in governance and respects diverse beliefs.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The international curriculum is delivered in English, with Spanish Language (Lengua Española) and Social Studies (Estudios Sociales) classes offered in Spanish to comply with MINERD requirements.

Mental Wellbeing
Social & Emotional Programs emphasize virtues that support mental wellbeing, including peace, respect, love, tolerance, happiness, responsibility, and cooperation. These programs are reinforced through conflict-resolution efforts and a culture of peace. Una Esperanza (A Hope) reinforces year-round virtue development, and Parent School (Escuela de Padres) provides resources to support healthy family life aligned with SMS values. The school aims to provide a safe and physically comfortable environment to promote learning. Growth, safety, and respect are foundational beliefs in SMS's approach to well-being.
Parent Experience

History
St. Michael's School is a 1st through 12th-grade school with rigorous academic demands and a sound character education program. The international curriculum is delivered in English, with Lengua Española and Estudios Sociales classes offered in Spanish in compliance with MINERD requirements. Founded in 1991 by educators Christian Virginia Heinsen, Michelle Morel, and Roxanna Soto. St. Michael's is committed to forming well-rounded individuals and lifelong learners who will make a difference in the world.

Community
SMS Community includes students, parents, faculty, and alumni. The Community Outreach program emphasizes service, with each grade organizing at least one social activity per year and staff members contributing an annual activity. Minimal service hours are 10 per year for Elementary and 20 per year for Secondary, with 140 hours required for graduation from 9th to 12th grade. The program also supports Centro de Educación Inicial San Martín de Porres in Villa Marina, as SMS students visit several times a year and organize drives for clothing, school supplies, toys, and fundraising to purchase equipment, while environmental sustainability is highlighted as part of SMS activities.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
There is a Parents' Association, a space where Parents can participate and contribute to their children's education. Escuela de Padres offers opportunities for Parents to learn and share tools for dealing with everyday situations in their children's lives. Family Activities share information on student and family activities taking place at SMS and how to participate. These elements comprise the SMS Parents program.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The campus includes a refreshed playing court, a modernized library and learning center on the second floor, and a first-floor multi-use space called the Hub for dining, gatherings, and activities. The 2012 master plan for a new building continues with updates such as a new reception area and meeting rooms.

Sports Facilities
SMS offers soccer, basketball, and volleyball. Boys and girls teams from 1st through 12th grade compete in tournaments, with separate divisions by age. SMS hosts the bi-yearly Dolphin Cup soccer tournament with up to 12 schools.

Academic Facilities
Computers & Tablets are integrated into daily classroom practices. There is a Robotics Laboratory and a MakerSpace to support project-based learning and hands-on STEM activities. Technology integration is part of the curriculum.

Extra Curricular Facilities
After-school activities run from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. A variety of clubs and electives include Guitar (Grades 6–12); Visual Arts Club (Grades 7–12); Debate (Grades 7–12); Roblox (Grades 1–5); Model United Nations (Grades 9–12); Boys & Girls Scouts; FIRST LEGO LEAGUE JR (Grades 1–3); FIRST LEGO LEAGUE (Grades 4–6); FIRST Robotics (Grades 7–12).
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
SMS integrates a variety of clubs and electives that build skills and knowledge across disciplines. The Debate Club enhances intellectual, academic, and social development and cultivates oratory and leadership, with participation in competitions at Harvard, Georgetown, and the University of Kentucky and in the ACCAS circuit. The Model United Nations program engages students in simulations of the United Nations, developing leadership, research, writing, public speaking, and problem-solving skills; SMSMUN brings together more than 200 students from over 10 private schools to participate in model activities and SMS teams have traveled to Georgetown, Harvard, and Yale. FIRST LEGO LEAGUE JR., FIRST LEGO LEAGUE, and FIRST Robotics provide hands-on STEM experiences, emphasizing teamwork, engineering, coding, and problem-solving.

Arts & Creative
Visual Arts Club teaches drawing, painting, sculpture, engraving, and design techniques. Students produce art in different forms and participate in public art projects, exhibitions, cultural exchanges, and routes to national and international museums. Guitar classes teach basics for guitar playing, including major and minor scales, pentatonic and blues patterns, and various rhythms and strumming patterns; students learn about the history of the guitar and notable players. Grades: 6th to 12th.

Cultural & Language
Model United Nations engages students in simulations of the United Nations System, developing leadership, research, writing, public speaking, and problem-solving skills. The MUN team has participated in local and international models and has traveled to Georgetown, Harvard, and Yale. SMS also hosts its own annual SMSMUN with participation from over 200 students from more than 10 private schools. This program fosters global awareness, negotiation, and cooperation.

Social & Hobbies
Roblox is an after-school activity for Grades 1st to 5th that develops logic, creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving through building and collaboration. The Boys & Girls Scouts program offers Cub Scout activities that build character, physical fitness, practical skills, and community service. These activities broaden social connections and teamwork among students.

Community & Service
Character building through community service is a core SMS policy, with an emphasis on giving back to the community and developing social responsibility; each grade commits to at least one social activity per year. Projects include fundraising, planning, and follow-up to ensure proper implementation. Elementary students complete at least 10 hours per year and secondary students 20 hours, with a graduation requirement of 140 hours. The program has supported Centro de Educación Inicial San Martín de Porres in Villa Marina, where SMS students visit and engage in educational and leisure activities and organize drives for clothing, school supplies, and toys.

Leadership & Professional
Executive Student Council (ESTUCO), Student Council (STUCO), and Student Ambassadors provide student leadership roles, representing the student body in school activities, service projects, and events for grades 7–12. The National Honor Society recognizes high-achieving students and develops leadership through service, meeting weekly to promote standards of excellence. These programs cultivate leadership, organizational skills, and opportunities to contribute to school and the broader community.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
SMS offers soccer, basketball, and volleyball, with boys' and girls' teams from 1st grade through 12th grade. The varsity and club teams compete in national and intercollegiate events and have earned trophies and awards. SMS hosts the bi-yearly Dolphin Cup soccer tournament, drawing participation from up to 12 schools. The Dolphins mascot supports teams and promotes school spirit.
Languages

Language Provision
The school's international curriculum is delivered in English. Spanish language and Social Studies are taught in Spanish in compliance with MINERD requirements.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Application begins by filling the Inquiry to Admission Form to initiate the process. 2. Complete the Enrollment Form. To complete the form, provide digital copies of the following documents: previous year report card; current year report card; a letter of recommendation from the previous school (First Grade) or the Recommendation form (Second Grade onwards) – print, complete, and scan; a letter from the previous school informing there are no outstanding tuition payments (doesn't apply to SMS siblings); a 2x2 passport-type photograph; 3. Complete the Counseling form; 4. RD$2,000.00 in cash is paid on the evaluation day to the school's cashier. – Additional information: Registration fees; for important dates related to admissions and evaluation, refer to the Admissions Process. To request guided tours of facilities, contact the Admissions Department at 809-563-1707 ext. 809. 5. Annual Open House is held every October for prospective families to learn about SMS, its philosophy, values, and life at the school. STEP FOR 1st GRADE: Open House with a meeting for parents about the admission process and school life; Evaluation includes academic and psychological evaluations and a parents interview with the Directors Emeritus; evaluation date is set after required documents are completed; acceptance status is notified within six working days after the evaluation. Enrollment occurs after acceptance with hand-in of enrollment documents and tuition payment according to the chosen plan; Required documents for Evaluation include the previous and present year report cards, a recommendation and payment reference letters from the current school, two 2×2 photos, and a RD$2,000 evaluation fee. Hand in the following forms: Inquiry to Admission, Enrollment, Counseling. Required documents for Enrollment include the Registration form, Parent School Agreement for the applying school year, original birth certificate (Dominican-born applicants) or a legally translated copy if required, medical certificate, recent eye and hearing examination, updated inoculation record, final report card of the present school year (to be handed over before September; foreign report cards must be validated by MINERD and legally translated). STEP FOR 2ND–10TH GRADE: Informative Meeting; Evaluation includes academic evaluation, psychological evaluation, and a parents interview with the Directors Emeritus; evaluation date is after the required documents are submitted and reviewed; results are notified within seven working days after the evaluation. Enrollment requires handing in the enrollment documents and paying tuition according to the plan. Required documents for Evaluation include the report cards, a payment reference letter from the current school, two 2×2 photos, and a RD$2,000 evaluation fee. Hand in the forms: Inquiry to Admission, Enrollment, Counseling, Recommendation. Required enrollment documents include the Registration form, Parent School Agreement, original birth certificate or translated copy if required, medical certificate, eye and hearing examinations, updated inoculation record, final report card, MINERD certificate for Elementary-Middle grades (7th–10th), and a Social Services certificate if available (for 9th grade onward). 6. Special considerations: Students from other districts must have their grades validated by their district; Students from abroad must have foreign grades translated and legalized, then validated by MINERD and deposited with St. Michael's School. 7. Join SMS for more information and scheduling tours or open houses.
School Events
The school has not added events
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