The School and Community
Colegio Maya, The American International School of Guatemala, wasfounded in 1958 and is a private, nonprofit, nonsectarian, co-educational day school which offers a US-style Pre-K to grade 12 educational program for students of all nationalities. Colegio Maya is accredited by AdvancEDand the Ministry of Education of Guatemala. It is also a member of the American Association of Schools in Central America (AASCA), Tri-Association, and the Common Ground Collaborative (CGC). The School is governed by a nine-member Board of Directors to whom the Director is responsible.
With approximately 395 students representing 27 countries, the Maya Community truly values diversity and seeks excellence. Through educational programs and values, each student is encouraged to find his/her own voice and to develop leadership capabilities. "Non-negotiables" include small classes typically between 12 and 18 students, academic excellence, ongoing staff development, the celebration of diversity, and a commitment to fostering social responsibility through service learning.
Colegio Maya Vision
A community that inspires excellence in every learner by developing their unique mind, body and character to become independent value-driven citizens.
Colegio Maya Mission
Colegio Maya serves a diverse international community, preparing responsible global citizens through a rigorous U.S. accredited college preparatory program. Colegio Maya develops ethical values and inspires all students to achieve their unique potential for excellence through challenging academics, arts, sports, leadership, and committed participation in social service. The Colegio Maya community holds all its members: students, parents, teachers, and staff, accountable for the success of every student.
Curriculum and Learning at Maya
Colegio Maya offers a U.S. educational program from pre-kindergarten (age 4) through grade 12. The curriculum is built on the foundation of Common Core standards and other widely utilized standards such as NGSS, NCSS, and SHAPE. It is designed to prepare students for university in the US or elsewhere. Instruction at Colegio Maya is in English with the exception of Spanish 
language classes. The school year is broken into two semesters extending from the second week of August to the third week of December and from the second week of January to the first week of June.
Colegio Maya is part of a global movement, the Common Ground Collaborative, and uses this framework to define the learning ecosystem. To achieve the deep, meaningful learning demanded by our philosophy, all learning experiences are based on conceptual understanding, competency learning, and character development.
In addition to Colegio Maya’s concept-based curriculum which is delivered using guided inquiry methodologies, Secondary students are encouraged to take challenging courses, including those from Colegio Maya’s well-developed Advanced Placement (AP) class offerings. Our program currently includes the following Advanced Placement courses: AP Capstone Seminar, AP Capstone Research, AP Psychology, AP Comparative Government and Politics, AP World History, AP Human Geography, AP Spanish Language and Culture, AP Spanish Literature, AP English Language, AP English Literature, AP Physics 1, AP Calculus AB and AP Calculus BC; additional online AP courses can be taken independently. Spanish instruction is provided at all levels of Spanish proficiency, including for native speakers. Learning program overviews for each division can be found on our website.
Utilizing technology and engaging in service learning are two lifelong skills for all Maya students. Skills in these areas enable them to adjust to an increasingly interdependent and constantly changing world. Colegio Maya follows the ISTE Standards and also teaches Digital Citizenship to all students to ensure that students are prepared for all aspects of technology use at school and beyond. A variety of on-going service partnerships are at the heart of the Maya service learning program. Students from K-12 participate in activities and projects that are rooted in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and support our local communities as well as global initiatives.
Extracurriculars are also an important part of the student experience at Colegio Maya. Currently, there are more than twenty activities including sports, MUN, robotics, band, drama, Knowledge Bowl, Roots and Shoots, and NJHS/NHS, which are an integral part of the School’s program.
The Campus
Colegio Maya is located on the Carretera El Salvador in the hillside suburbs of Guatemala City on a beautiful campus filled with trees, flowers, and foliage. We are fortunate to have ample space to enjoy comprehensive facilities including a state of the art performing arts theater, music room, nature playscape, multiple gyms, fields and separate libraries for our elementary and secondary students.
Our newest building, the Innovation Hub, will include a large makerspace workshop, two tech labs, an art room, and both the secondary and elementary libraries. The design includes multiple outdoor learning spaces as well as a large multi-purpose room. The building which currently houses the libraries will be redesigned as dedicated middle school space.
