-
La Paz Community School Embracing the Global Village
Annual Report 2010-2011
-
My second daughter peacefully entered the world this past
December. After the sheer elation of her birth, the questions about
her future in this increasingly competitive globalized world slowly
began to creep into my mind. How am I going to cope with the
teenage years? Where will she go to college if she chooses to do
so? Will she be an artist, athlete, or software designer? How will
her education shape her future? Are Costa Rica and La Paz the best
place for her?
The last question has allowed me to relax considerably as I can
�nd extreme comfort in the fact that her (and her older sister’s)
experiences at La Paz and in Costa Rica will prepare them
exceptionally well for a future that will require them to be
cultured, creative, and critical thinkers who understand how to
compassionately contribute as responsible citizens to the unique
challenges of the 21st century. As our world becomes more
interconnected, the inevitability of globalization growsmore
apparent, as does the necessity for dynamic, well prepared,
exceptional leaders who understand the importance and complexity of
creating a sustainable place to live. Our home in Guanacaste, with
its rich local culture and ecology combined with multi-cultural
in�uences brought in by thousands of foreign residents, provides
the perfect “Sustainable Global Village” for our students to learn
and thrive in.
La Paz’s commitment to this type of a learner pro�le is readily
apparent in each and every one of our students and is clearly
demonstrated by our diverse student body, our steady growth over
the past 5 years, our peace practices, and our pending
accreditation from the International Baccalaureate Organization
(IBO). A walk around the school facilities (both new and old) is
demonstrative of this as our 180 students are interacting in as
many as 5 languages, peacefully solving problems without teacher
assistance, and independently working with peers on meaningful
academic projects. Indeed it is a special sight to see and I am
proud to be a part of an institution that has already profoundly
a�ected the level of education in Costa Rica.
I would like to thank each and every one of our past, present,
and future supporters on behalf of the entire organization for your
contribution to the creation of our “Sustainable Global Village”
here in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. I look forward to seeing my
daughters thrive in this learning environment so that they may
proactively address the challenges of the 21st century.
--Abel McClennen
Mission Statement
Message from the President
Our mission is to educate the culturally diverse youth of
Guanacaste through bilingual experiential learning and enrichment
that integrates the local community and environment, while
preparing students to become thoughtful, creative, contributing
citizens in the global community.
2
-
2011-2012 StaffExecutive Director: Abel McClennen
Business and Development Director: Michael Sherman
Administrators: Brian Crites, Sara McGowan, Kerry McClennen,
Abel McClennen, Kelly Dodge, David Dodge
Preschool: Neida Escalera, Leonie Jimenez, Gabriela Power,
Margoth Arrieta
Kindergarten: Sara McGowan, Geneva Garcia-Ellen, Melissa
Solera
Primary School (Grades 1-6): Elizabeth Obremski, Ilene Solomon,
Xinia Gómez Gutiérrez, Kelly Dodge, Kristen Hughey, David Dodge,
Melissa Solera, Brian Crites, Daniela Aburto, William Jenkins
Secondary School (Grades 7-11): Kerry McClennen, Ericka
Cabalceta, Melissa Jenkins, Wendy Blasdell, Kate Wand, Kenia
Calderón, Abel McClennen
Physical Education: Jon Hanson, Ximena Bepmale
Administrative Assistants: Jennifer Cerdas Chaverri, Stephany
Enriquez
The La Paz Peace Practices• Develop the self into a peaceful,
lifelong learner by improving physical and mental well being
through critical thought and extension of comfortable limits.
• Cultivate peace amongst family and community by disseminating
and sharing love and compassion.
• Create peace within the community by preserving the
environment and respecting the delicate balance between local and
foreign cultures.
• Spread peace throughout the world by effectively communicating
thoughts and ideas as well as actively listening to all
perspectives.
2010-2011 Board of DirectorsPresident: Abel McClennenVice
President: Jose Gerardo BrenesTreasurer: Gregory Casillas*,
Christian Fautz†Secretary: Estela Reyes ValerínVocal: Alejandro
Berkowitz†Vocal: Dr. Jose Ma. Garita Monge*, Felipe de la
Esperiella†,Brian CritesFiscal: Ashley Javogue† = newly appointed
for 2011-2012* = present for 2010-2011
3
-
Development Highlights & MilestonesWe are forever indebted
to those community members from both near and far (see “Friends of
La Paz” on page 7) who have facilitated our growth because they
believe in the concept of a non-pro�t, environmentally conscious,
bilingual, community school.
In donating over $1.3 million in assets, money, services, and
resources during the 2010-2011 school year, these 120 Friends of La
Paz have socially invested in progressive education in Guanacaste,
Costa Rica: an integrated global community where future generations
of children from all socioeconomic levels and cultures can create,
learn, inquire, and grow together to achieve a more sustainable
world.
As we celebrate our �fth year of operation it is important for
us to re�ect on some basic di�erences between our �rst year of
operation in 2007-2008 compared to our present 2011-2012 school
year.
4
2007 - 2008 2011 - 2012
Enrollment 50 Students (K-7) 180 Students (Pre-K - 11)
Scholarship Students 8 (K-3) 23 (K - 9)
School Facilities 4 Classrooms on Jungle Gym Property
9 Classrooms and a ComputerLab at Jungle Gym and 4 Classrooms, a
Science Lab,and O�ce Space on 2 Hectares of La Paz Land.
Accreditations None Costa Rican Ministry ofEducation and
InternationalBaccalaureate CandidateSchool
Faculty 8 Teachers, 1 Administrator, and 1 Secretary
25 Teachers, 3 Administrators,and 2 Secretaries
Countries Represented 11 25
Revenue $250,000 $780,000
Formal Non-Pro�t Status None Costa Rican and US
501(c)3Recognized Organization
The board of directors unanimously approved the administration’s
proposal to invest in the acquisition of the prestigious
International Baccalaureate Diploma Program whose mission is “to
develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help
to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural
understanding and respect.”
The school is presently in the candidacy phase with pending
approval for IB authorization in September, 2013.
Academics at La Paz develop responsible citizens of the world
prepared to meet the challenges of an increasingly globalized
community.
-
Development Highlights & Milestones
5
Ruta La Paz focuses on bringing the local communities together
in the name of healthy sport.Uniting 400 runners of all ages from
across the country and hundreds of spectators and volunteers, Ruta
La Paz has developed into a premier event in the Tamarindo area.
Our generous donors have helped o�set all costs necessary to
running such a professional event allowing for all $5000 in
proceeds to go to the scholarship program.
The La Paz Scholarship Program prepares dedicated, talented, and
exceptional local children to lead their communities and our world
into the future.
Our scholarship program integrates local underprivileged youth
into our school community at a young age in order to help us
preserve the unique local traditions and ecology while celebrating
the peaceful integration of foreign cultures and ideas into the
community. We are sincerely appreciative of our generous donors and
tireless fundraisers who have helped us o�er over $250,000 in
scholarships to deserving young students from underprivileged
families over the pastfour and a half years. During the 2011-2012
school year our goal is to raise $80,000 in scholarship money for
23 local students who are all excelling at La Paz as they transform
into creative, analytical, and peaceful thinkers who are
responsible, bilingual, active stewards of our community and
beyond.
The La Paz Capital Development Fund provides the necessary
infrastructure and resources to support high quality education.
Phase one of the La Paz Capital Campaign saw the construction of
3 new classrooms, 1 science laboratory, 2 covered outdoor
classrooms, and o�ce space on 2 hectares of donated land to
accommodate 75 more students. The total cost of the project was
$1.71 million which was �nanced by $1.259 million in donations and
a $451,000 bank loan. Phase two will cost $300,000 and is planned
for April of 2012. The construction will include a
Library/Multimedia Center, 3 new classrooms, and locker rooms to
accommodate 45 new students and raise the number of students to 225
in grades prek-12.
Time and Materials are priceless: we are forever indebted to our
volunteer parents and community members.
When committing to send their children to La Paz, families are
subscribing to a community cooperative that relies on consistent
contributions of time. Whether assisting English Language Learners
with reading, organizing annual fundraisers, running the library,
or driving on �eld trips, no activity is too small or big when an
entire community prescribes to the philosophy of, it takes a
village to properly raise a child.
-
La Paz 2010-2011 Financial Overview
6
School Operating Expenses $618,770
Capital Construction Project: Total Cost of Project
$1,710,000
School Operating Revenue $572,000
-
La Paz Community School Donors
7
Gold Coast Partner ($10,000+)The World Children’s Project, The
Jungle Gym Flamingo, Mar Vista Development, DYS Architects, The
Ruetz Family, The Duerkop Family, Emmanuel & Ashley Javogue,
The Virginia and Charles Brewer Family Foundation
Guanacaste Partner ($5000+)Martyn & Debi Ho�mann
Malinche Partner ($2500+)Anonymous, The Acacia Foundation, Ann
& Norval Reece, Edward & Ros Tyrrell, Flamingo Marina
Resort
Almendra Partner ($1000+)Students Sponsoring Students,
Anonymous, Amigos de La Educación, George F. & Lina Fisher
Foundation, DJ Daum Memorial Scholarship Fund, Christi & Don
Van Akkeren, Lyn & Jay Thorson Family, Nogui’s Restaurant,
Christian & Jamie Fautz, Byron Knief, Amy & Jake Jacobs,
W&MFF, Hotel Sugar Beach, Paulson Family Foundation, Upchurch
Family,Joanne Hunt, Ulrika & Stefan Lorenz, David Jacobs
Be a Part of La Paz by Socially Investing Now: Contributing to
this community initiative will positively transform our world into
a better, more peaceful and sustainable place.
Plumeria Partner ($500+)Harold, Susan, Joshua and Zach Lamb,
Jonathan & Heather McGowan, Frijoles Locos Surf Shop, Harvey
& Kathy McGowan, Einar Villavicencio & Associates Law O�ce,
Anonymous, Ateso, Anonymous, James & Julia Berry, Quentin and
Marjorie Dodge, General Nutrition Center, Ecotrans, Punta Playa
Vistas, Las Catalinas, Grupo Lineas Básicas, Fischel, Torres
Limited Partnership, RipJack Inn, Lola’s Restaurant, Tranquilo
Events and Weddings, Pura Vida Ride, TicoCar, David Gri�th, Newton
Store Center
Friends of La Paz (Less than $500)Mark and Yendry Bjorklund,
Nate McClennen and Rachel Wigglesworth, Mike and Melinda Buck, Lou
and Kathy Piazza,Brian Crites and Sara McGowan, Pura Verde, Charlie
and Michelle Lower, Stockton Reece, Abel and Kerry McClennen,Jeremy
Smith and Molly Perencivich, Ayla Luna McClennen, Julie Wright,
John Marshall, Anonymous, Mary Macartie,Kris Kryger Evens, Jen
& Je� Herrman, Anastasia Taylor, Valerie Anderson, Ludovic
Jeanniott-Soler, Barbara Engelhardt,Seasons by Shlomy – Tamarindo,
Angelina’s Restaurant, Banco de Costa Rica, Costa Frut CR, CPI
Language School,Michael Cantrell, The Jacobs Family, Caleb
McClennen, Ralph and Carolyn Bryan, Christine and James Turpen,
Casey Howell
Driven by the successes of our �rst �ve years, we are eager to
thoughtfully and sustainably move forward with plans for growth and
expansion. With 95% of our students returning, a 23% growth rate
from last school year, and a pending accreditation from the
International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, we are quickly
transforming into a world class academic institution.
The La Paz Community School Fundraising Committee will be in
contact with all of our supporters and potential donors regarding
future fundraisers. In the meantime, please help us achieve our
2011-2012 fundraising goals of $80,000 for the scholarship fund and
$300,000 for the capital development fund by making your tax
deductible donation.
For US tax deductible donations, we hold 501(c)3 status in the
United States. For Costa Rican tax deductible donations, we are
recognized by the Ministry of Hacienda as a non-pro�t entity.
Donation Information (www.lapazschool.org/donations)
A sincere thank you to all of our sponsors: September 1, 2010 to
August 31, 2011
Costa Rica: Banco de Costa Rica Scholarship and Capital
Development Fund Dollars (Checking) 325-1972-0 USA: Please go
online to www.lapazschool.org/donations to make your secure PayPal
donation or Please send checks to: La Paz Community School 2880
Arrowhead St.Eugene, Oregon 97404 USA
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
23Scholarship Students
Need $80,000
STUDENT RETENTION
95%Student Retention Rate
PARENT INVOLVEMENT
2500Parent Cooperative Hours
lapaz_annual_coverlapaz_annual_page2lapaz_annual_page3lapaz_annual_page4lapaz_annual_page5lapaz_annual_page6lapaz_annual_page7
