Living and studying. Puerto Rico s only English-language Boarding School

Transcription

1 Living and studying at Puerto Rico s only English-language Boarding School

2 Puerto Rico, U.S.A. The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is an unincorporated Territory of the United States located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Christopher Columbus (Cristóbal Colón) arrived in Puerto Rico on his second voyage, in He named the island San Juan Bautista, but discovering gold in the island s rivers, it soon became known as Puerto Rico, or "rich port;" and the capital city took the name San Juan. Puerto Rico quickly became a Spanish colony on its way to becoming an important military outpost. Puerto Rico began to produce cattle, sugar cane, coffee and tobacco, which led to the importation of slaves from Africa. Over time, Puerto Rican bloodlines and culture evolved through a mixing of the Spanish, African, and indigenous Taíno and Carib Indian peoples that shared the island. Puerto Rico remained an overseas province of Spain until the Spanish-American war; under the Treaty of Paris of 1898, Spain ceded Puerto Rico (along with Cuba, the Philippines and Guam) to the U.S. At that time, Puerto Rico's economy relied on its sugar crop, but by the middle of the century, an ambitious industrialization effort, Operation Bootstrap, was underway. Cheap labor and attractive tax laws attracted American companies, and soon the Puerto Rican economy was firmly grounded in manufacturing and tourism. Today, Puerto Rico is a leading tourist destination and manufacturing center; the island produces high-tech equipment and many topselling American pharmaceuticals. Puerto Ricans received U.S. citizenship in 1917 and Puerto Rico obtained a measure of self-government in The issue of political status is one under constant debate, with some in favor of statehood, others the continuation of the current Territorial status and a small minority, independence. Its current population is estimated to be 3.5 million. Spanish and English are official languages and the currency is the U.S. Dollar. No passport is required for U.S. citizens or those of the many other countries with whom the U.S. State Dept. has reciprocal agreements. Consulates of 35 countries are maintained in Puerto Rico. For a comprehensive overview of Puerto Rico, please visit CB.pr and see the latest issue of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company s official magazine, QuéPasa! San Juan s Condado Neighborhood Condado means county in Spanish and at the beginning of the 20 th century only today s Old San Juan was considered the city. In 1904, two years after its initial establishment by the Methodist Church as an orphanage for girls in the Old City, Mr. & Mrs. George O. Robinson of Detroit, Michigan purchased several acres of land off Las Nereidas Ave. (today s Ashford Ave.) in the oceanfront Condado area to allow for the expansion and conversion of the orphanage into a school. While many of the Condado s original mansions gave way to high-rise condominiums in the 1970s and 80s, some remain, and the neighborhood remains San Juan s most exclusive residential and commercial area. Robinson School s 4.5 acre landscaped campus includes the Ida Goode Building and Woolworth Chapel, Shappell Building (gymnasium & auditorium) outdoor sports areas, perimeter nature trail and the Boarding Program s Residence Hall, Marbella House. San Juan s Condado district is a residential and business community located in the heart of new San Juan. This sun drenched beach community is a mixture of influences from Miami Beach to Brazil with elegant homes and international residents. Upscale shopping, multi-million dollar properties, four-star restaurants and its overall ambiance make it attractive for those who seek the pulse of the city yet with the security and exclusivity of a prime ocean front address. The Condado, with its mix of colonial and modern architecture, plazas, private schools, bike paths and beautiful beaches, makes this a place to see and be seen. PRESBYTERIAN HOSPITAL

3 Robinson School The Caribbean s premier College-Preparatory School Our Mission Daniel M. Hildebrand Sandra Rosenbaum Head of School Upper School Head We believe Our Mission is to develop in each student: academic excellence, Christian values, with respect and dignity for all. That students, parents, faculty and staff share the responsibility to provide an excellent education. In a sustainable, global education that promotes internationalmindedness and a life-long love of learning that fosters the acquisition of 21st Century skills. That hard work and perseverance in a safe, nurturing, Christian environment based on respect and responsibility is essential in developing productive and contributing citizens of a global society. Accreditations & Associations Middle States Association University Senate Global Ministries The Association of Boarding Schools National Association of Independent Schools Caribbean Association of Independent Schools International Baccalaureate Candidate School 100% AP Biology AP Calculus AP Chemistry AP English Language AP Spanish Language AP Literature & Composition AP Spanish Literature AP Statistics AP US History AP World History of our graduates attend universities or college Candidate School We host college fairs to acquaint your child with many different colleges and universities. 3 New Science Labs Our Seniors get real-world work experience as two-week interns with local businesses and professionals from accounting, to graphic design and even in a surgeon s Operating Room! Our Physical Education and Athletics Programs develop teamwork and encourage personal bests! Our students art was selected for a 6-week exhibition at the P. R. Museum of Art!

4 Marbella House Residence Hall Our Resident Boarding program is centered at Marbella House, at the northeast corner of our 4.5 acre campus just off Ashford Avenue in San Juan s exclusive and secure Condado neighborhood. You can rest assured with them at Robinson s Marbella House: Our entire Campus is patrolled and monitored 24/7/365 by on-site security guards; Marbella House is two-story, solid reinforced-concrete structure totally remodeled in 2011; The facility features the latest life-safety systems as well as back-up generator and cistern; The entire building is fully air-conditioned, with a large living/dining area, modern kitchen and study area on each floor; Each floor is supervised by a Resident Advisor; Each of the 10 double-rooms can accommodate two students with desks single room accommodations are also available, if desired; Like our entire campus, it s handicapped-accessible and features an elevator as well as an in-house laundry; Our Campus is just across the street from Ashford Presbyterian Hospital. Residential students are encouraged to introduce their housemates to their own country s culture and cuisine is an important (and delicious) way to share another culture. Dining and Meals are provided in our new Dining Center as well as in our Marbella House home-style kitchens. Students are part of a Food Committee that ensures the food is not only tasty, but nutritionally sound as well, with some herbs and vegetables grown in our Campus Garden. Walking distance to shops, museums, pharmacies and supermarkets; public transportation at doorstep.

5 Robinson School The Caribbean s premier College-Preparatory School Daniel M. Hildebrand Head of School Sandra Rosenbaum Upper School Head In their own words Robinson s students become well-grounded young people who recognize and appreciate the sacrifice their parents have made to provide them with a private school education that expands their horizons. They understand that the education they receive will provide them with the foundation for professional success and personal satisfaction in the future. Here the teachers not only teach academic subjects but also help us grow up. What I will miss most is all of the teachers who were always there for me - in good times and bad. I have learned responsibility and self discipline and feel confident that I can survive in the real world. I have learned to negotiate real-life situations. I have learned to be a better person. I am now ready to move on to college. The teachers and my friends at school have become my second family. The difference between Robinson and other schools is that the people here really care about us all of us.

6 Admissions Process and Student Visas For those coming from outside the U.S., our team will work with you to secure the necessary Student Visa. Health Insurance All of our students must have a health insurance with coverage in Puerto Rico. We require new parents to contact our insurance broker in order to make the necessary arrangements: Phillip Bixler philip@bixlerassociates.com ROBINSON SCHOOL IS THE PERFECT STEPPING-STONE TO BETTER UNIVERSITIES FOR YOUR CHILD ON THE U.S. MAINLAND AND IN EUROPE! Our Admissions team is dedicated to ensuring that the Application Process is very straightforward. We will guide you every step of the way in completing the necessary forms, scheduling the testing component and preparing for an interview in person or via Skype. Paola González Director of Admissions pgonzalez@robinsonschool.org or FOR EVEN MORE ABOUT PUERTO RICO S ONLY ENGLISHLANGUAGE BOARDING SCHOOL AND A 360 VIRTUAL TOUR PLEASE VISIT robinsonschool.org