New Dominican school looks to turn children into leaders of tomorrow

Santo Domingo.- Mr. Daniel Garvey is the director of anew andambitious school project centered around the school Academia de Liderazgo-Universidad Central DelEste (AL-UCE)in Juan Dolio, eastern San Pedro province, where students fromnearby resorts and towns are expected to receive comprehensive education.

And it’s not just another facility to teachkids the ‘three Rs’…as Garvey himself pledges, its ambitious scope offersparents “a place for their children to become leaders.”

Mr. Garvey spoke with Dominican Today editor-in-chiefJorge Pineda.

DT: Where are you from and how did you cometo the Dominican Republic?

DG: I’m originally from Cleveland (Ohio)and started my career in the Mississippi Delta as a Teach For America corpsmember…I first came to the Dominican Republic as a volunteer in a summerprogram at a Catholic home for orphaned children.

DT: What is your educational background?

DG: I have a master’s degree in EducationLeadership from Columbia University and have taught English Language Arts bothinternationally and in the United States.

DT: Compare your school with let’s sayCarol Morgan, Pueblo Punta Cana, Abraham Lincoln School… Who would send theirchildren to your school?

DG: Those are very good schools and theyserve as a point of reference, in addition to other international schools whichwe respect and from which we learn. However, we are truly unique in the sensethat we are affiliated with Mercer University’s Tift College of Education inAtlanta, Georgia, through our parent organization, Universidad Central DelEste. This partnership provides twenty-first century professional learning andsupport to our teachers who reflect a diversity similar to our studentpopulation. We are very proud of the fact that 40 percent of our students areinternational and a wide range of socioeconomic groups are represented asnearly 40 percent receive scholarship.

DT: What about the languages in thecurriculum?

DG: Since some students are not bilingualwhen they come to us we offer immersion-teaching in both languages, English andSpanish. We assure a diverse linguistic experience by hiring staff fromGermany, United States, Canada, Cuba….

DT: Explain the school’s affiliations withother educational institutions.

DG: AL-UCE’s is a product of theUniversidad Central Del Este of San Pedro de Macoris’s commitment to improvingeducational opportunities in the eastern region of the Dominican Republic. Theuniversity is known for solid medical, dental and law programs-yet another plusin the student’s learning experience and post-high school career opportunities.

DT: Explain what the open office modality is.

DG: Open office modality aims to giveaccess to all parents with concerns about their kids, with just a phone call toschedule an appointment, and I’ll address the issue directly. We really listento our parents and students and value tremendously creating a shared vision forour school.

DT: What staff and other personnel formpart of AL-UCE?

DG: We have a committed school staff aswell as the support of a team of international and national advisors includinga former Minister of Education of the Dominican Republic, the Rector andVice-Rector of the university.

The director of AL-UCE adds: “Ourfacilities include 17 classrooms; 1 Special Education room; 2 sets of bathroomson the first floor; 1 complete bathroom on the second floor, a guest bathroom,main office, literacy room/library, doctor’s office, Psychologist’s office,conference room, multiuse activity space, art/music classroom, cafeteria,multiuse athletic court (basketball, volleyball, soccer, tennis, etc.), soccerfield (shared with university) and computer lab.”

PHOTOS of students at the school:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/3y79h26veauw4ci/AAAiu9ic1iFyUTR4oX_EmHGoa?dl=

Approximate annual tuition costinformation; includes registration, technology and books fees.

1. Pre-school= $1,815 USD

2. Elementary, 1st-4th= $2,300 USD

3. Elementary, 5th-8th= $2,862 USD

4. High School, 9th-12th= $3,444 USD