The American School of Torreón (CAT) is an independent day school serving the needs of the community of the Comarca Lagunera Region of Mexico, where the two states of Durango and Coahuila meet.
CAT’s 27-acre campus is located approximately 20 minutes from downtown Torreón, in a middle-class neighborhood called Los Viñedos. CAT’s modern facilities include 95 classrooms, seven science labs, six computer labs, two libraries, a covered, semi-Olympic-size swimming pool, two gymnasiums with basketball and volleyball courts, three soccer fields, one softball field, two tennis courts, and other areas for physical education.
Established in 1954, CAT is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement. The school delivers a K–12 college preparatory curriculum taught mainly in English, with some classes in Spanish. Graduates earn the U.S. High School and Mexican Bachillerato diplomas. Currently enrolled are 1304 students, with 77% from Mexico and 11% from North America. The teaching staff of 141 includes 99 Mexican educators and 34 from the U.S. or Canada.
CAT’s Center for Visual and Performing Arts welcomes all developing artists to immerse themselves in: visual arts; multimedia production; technique for string, wood, or brass instruments; classical guitar; fiddle; jazz band; modern dance; ballet; drama; and CATEnsemble. Launched in 2012, CATEnsemble is an orchestra with a repertoire ranging from classical to contemporary. Members may also participate in master classes hosted by outstanding professional musicians. CATEnsemble has presented at the school, for both local and national audiences. Other ensembles, with students working on higher level repertoires, have emerged from CATEnsemble: the saxophone quartet, the clarinet quartet, the Jazz Band, and the Chamber Orchestra.
CAT has honed its extracurricular program over the decades. Sports teams train and compete in Tae Kwon Do, swimming, soccer, basketball, baseball, tennis, and volleyball. Clubs like Investigation, MUN, Debate, Robotics, and National Honors Society provide further intellectual stimulation. CATravel offers educational trips every year to different parts of the world, connecting students and teachers to cultures, languages, and people through authentic learning experiences.
CAT is interested in hiring certified teachers, including couples—either a teaching couple or with a non-teaching spouse—and outstanding newly-certified candidates. Teachers need not hold their academic degree in the subject they will be teaching. Those up to the age of 55 may obtain a work visa.
The benefits package includes allowances for a two-bedroom house or apartment, furniture, and settling in. In addition, roundtrip airfare is provided every year. While tuition is free for dependents, teachers are responsible for the cost of uniforms, supplies, and activities. Local health insurance, including life insurance, is fully covered for all teachers. Professional development comprises five full professional service days in addition to enrollment in an optional master’s degree program through State University of New York, Buffalo. The low cost of living combined with the CAT benefits package allows for some good savings or the chance for a family of four to live on one salary.
To gain access to Colegio Americano de Torreón, A.C.’s full profile on the Search Associates database, including a list of any vacancies, candidates can apply for membership by clicking here. Candidates already registered can easily access the school profile directly through their dashboards.
Please note: The information presented about this school was valid on the date published. This information may change, and the most up-to-date information can be found on the school profile.
