Leading with AI
School Analysis

Schools present in the workshop – Descriptions

Sworn Junior College

 Sworn Junior College in Buenos Aires, Argentina, focuses on a holistic educational approach. They emphasize bilingualism, aiming to develop cognitive, procedural, and intellectual skills. Civic participation is encouraged to create community and social awareness. The school also values arts and creativity, giving them a significant role in their educational project. Physical education is seen as an opportunity for team sports and healthy living. They have a modern approach to science and technology to meet the demands of the current world. The school also organizes group trips and camps to enrich communication and camaraderie among students. Social action and overall well-being are other areas they focus on, aiming to foster social responsibility and emotional health.

St. Hilda’s College

 St. Hilda’s College in Buenos Aires, Argentina, has been offering academic excellence since 1912. The school aims to provide a comprehensive education that covers academic, cultural, artistic, athletic, spiritual, and social aspects. They focus on developing empathy and respect among students, aiming for an exceptional educational experience. The school offers programs from kindergarten through secondary education.

St. Mary of the Hills School (Pilar Campus)

 St. Mary of the Hills School in Pilar, Buenos Aires, Argentina, is a coeducational bilingual IB school that focuses on personalized education. The school aims to inspire students to explore and develop their individual talents in a caring environment where academic excellence is pursued. The school has a strong religious orientation, offering integral education inspired by Christian values. They provide programs from kindergarten to secondary education, emphasizing the development of critical thinking and commitment to others.

St. Mary of the Hills School

 St. Mary of the Hills School in Buenos Aires, Argentina, is a coeducational bilingual IB school that offers personalized education. The school focuses on academic excellence and aims to inspire students to explore and develop their individual talents in a caring environment. They have a strong religious orientation, providing integral education inspired by Christian values. The school offers programs from kindergarten to secondary education, emphasizing the development of critical thinking and commitment to others.

Barker College

 Barker College is a private, bilingual school in Lomas de Zamora that was founded in 1897. The school offers a college preparatory program and its values are academic excellence, bilingualism, and sportsmanship.

The school’s academic program is rigorous and challenging, and students are expected to work hard and achieve academic excellence. The school offers a wide range of courses, including both the Argentinean and International Baccalaureate (IB) curricula.

Barker College is also committed to bilingualism. All students are required to take English classes, and many students also take Spanish classes. The school believes that bilingualism is an essential skill for the 21st century.

In addition to academics, Barker College also offers a variety of extracurricular activities. These activities include sports, arts, music, and student government. The school believes that extracurricular activities are an important part of a well-rounded education.

Barker College is also committed to sportsmanship. The school’s athletic program is competitive, but it also emphasizes the importance of fair play and sportsmanship. The school believes that sportsmanship is an important life skill that helps students to succeed in all areas of their lives.

St Alban´s College

 St. Alban’s College in Buenos Aires, Argentina, offers a comprehensive educational experience that extends beyond the classroom. The school has a Virtual Tour platform and blogs for each section to keep the community engaged. Lucas Ramil, a former pupil, has been appointed as the Head of Secondary Spanish, highlighting the school’s focus on leadership and public policy. Marianne Vibart, from the school’s General Management, has been elected President of ESSARP, an association of English-speaking schools in Argentina and Uruguay. The school also takes pride in its Apple Museum, showcasing its commitment to technology and innovation. Various programs like the THIMUN 2022 delegation, ESSARP Interschool Chess Competition, and Science Fest are part of the school’s diverse offerings.

Florida Day School

 Florida Day School is a bilingual educational institution located in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The school focuses on more than just bilingual education; it aims to shape the way students perceive the world. The curriculum is designed around three main pillars: Effective Thinking, Multiple Intelligences, and Teaching for Understanding. The school offers a nurturing environment for continuous learning, human development, and innovation. They provide education for different age groups, starting from Kindergarten (2 to 5 years), Junior School (6 to 11 years), Middle School (12 to 14 years), and Senior School (15 to 17 years).

Cardinal Newman College

 Cardinal Newman College is a Catholic, bilingual, day, primary and secondary school for boys located in San Isidro, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. The school was established on 29 March 1948 and is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, specifically the Congregation of Christian Brothers. The school’s motto is “Certa Bonum Certamen” (Fight the Good Fight), which is inspired by St. Paul’s first letter to Timothy. The school aims to educate men with deep moral values such as honesty, loyalty, and solidarity. Students are expected to complete seven IGCSE exams in year 10 and receive an International Baccalaureate diploma in their last year. The school is also an important center for Rugby union in Argentina.

St. Brendan’s College

 St. Brendan’s College is an Argentinian school with Irish roots, founded in 1966. The school’s motto is “Domus et schola patriam faciunt,” which translates to “Home and school make the homeland.” The school focuses on academic excellence and offers a range of activities to foster community involvement. While the website did not provide extensive details on their values and ethos, it is clear that the school places importance on community and academic development.

Michael Ham Memorial College

 Michael Ham Memorial College is an Argentinian, Catholic, and bilingual day school with two campuses located in Buenos Aires. The school has approximately 900 students at each site. The Vicente López site, which started in 1926 as a girls-only school, will begin its coeducational pathway in 2023. The Nordelta site has been coeducational since its opening in 2006. The school believes in the IDEALS (Internationalism, Democracy, Environmentalism, Adventure, Leadership, and Service) philosophy, aligning it with their pedagogical and Christian beliefs. Students are at the center of their educational project, and the school is fully involved in service activities and multidimensional environmental actions.

Balmoral College

 Balmoral College is a private, selective, bilingual, mixed-sex day school located in Banfield, Buenos Aires, Argentina. The school’s campus is also located in Lomas de Zamora. The website mentions various aspects like sports, sustainability, technology, and extracurricular workshops. Their educational project is summarized with the phrase “Aprender a ser y aprender con el otro,” which translates to “Learn to be and learn with the other.”

St. John’s School

 St. John’s School is a traditional bilingual school located in the northern suburbs of Buenos Aires, Argentina. The school offers a curriculum that includes IB, British, and Argentinian educational systems. They have been at the forefront of private education in Argentina and offer instruction in both English and Spanish. The school caters to students ranging from ages 2 to 18.

St. Catherine’s Moorlands School

 St. Catherine’s Moorlands School in Buenos Aires, Argentina, has a strong commitment to educational excellence and promotes an environment of individual and community growth. The school has over 65 years of experience and has produced more than 5000 graduates. They offer eight university programs and have over 40 years of experience in implementing international programs. The school focuses on pedagogic principles that include students being protagonists of their own learning, teachers as designers of learning scenarios, and the development of 21st-century skills. They also emphasize digital immersion and languages for a global world. The school offers the IB program and has two sites, one in Belgrano and another in Tortuguitas.

Northlands School

 Northlands School is a non-confessional, coeducational, bilingual, IB World School with two sites situated in Zona Norte, Buenos Aires, Argentina. The school offers a high standard of education to children between the ages of 2 and 18. The academic year starts in February and ends in December for Kinder and Primary, and around the end of November for Secondary. The school also has various programs like Visual Arts & Performing Arts, Personal and Social Education Programme, and Physical Education & Healthy Habits. The school day varies depending on the level and campus, but it generally starts around 8:00 am and ends around 4:10 pm.

Bede’s Grammar School

 Bede’s Grammar School is located in Manuel Alberti, Buenos Aires, Argentina. The school’s vision is to graduate individuals who are confident and secure in their abilities, having been valued and recognized for their achievements in academic, artistic, sports, and social activities. The school offers three academic levels and aims to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels heard. They have a unique system of “options” and “credits,” where students can choose elective subjects taught in English and accumulate credits based on their performance and commitment. The school also has various events like Sports Day, Interhouses competitions, Concerts, and Science Fairs. They even have a radio station run by students, alumni, teachers, and directors for educational purposes.

Belgrano Day School

 Belgrano Day School is a private, bilingual school in Buenos Aires that was founded in 1912. The school offers a college preparatory program and its values are academic excellence, bilingualism, and social responsibility.

The school’s academic program is rigorous and challenging, and students are expected to work hard and achieve academic excellence. The school offers a wide range of courses, including both the Argentinean and International Baccalaureate (IB) curricula.

Belgrano Day School is also committed to bilingualism. All students are required to take English classes, and many students also take Spanish classes. The school believes that bilingualism is an essential skill for the 21st century.

In addition to academics, Belgrano Day School also offers a variety of extracurricular activities. These activities include sports, arts, music, and student government. The school believes that extracurricular activities are an important part of a well-rounded education.

Belgrano Day School is also committed to community service. Students are required to complete a certain number of hours of community service each year. The school believes that community service is an important way for students to give back to their community and make a difference in the world.

Villa Devoto School

 Villa Devoto School was founded in 1908 by a group of English immigrants living in Villa Devoto, Buenos Aires. Today, it is a bilingual English-Spanish school that is secular and coeducational at all levels. The school offers international standard exams from the University of Cambridge (PET, IGCSE) starting from primary education and culminates in an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. The school also emphasizes the importance of critical and creative thinking in education and has various programs like Kindergarten Book Fair, Guest Readers, and IGCSE Certificate Award Ceremony. They also have a deep-rooted British tradition of sorting students into HOUSES to foster team spirit in academic contests and sports competitions.

St. George’s College North

 St George’s College North is a private, Catholic school for boys in Polvorines, Argentina that was founded in 1990. The school offers a college preparatory program and its values are faith, service, and academic excellence.

The school’s academic program is rigorous and challenging, and students are expected to work hard and achieve academic excellence. The school offers a wide range of courses, including both the Argentinean and International Baccalaureate (IB) curricula.

St George’s College North is also committed to faith and service. All students are required to take religious classes, and many students also participate in extracurricular activities that promote faith and service, such as the school’s choir and service clubs. The school believes that faith and service are essential pillars of a well-rounded education.

St. George’s College Quilmes

 St George’s College Quilmes is a private, Catholic school for boys in Quilmes that was founded in 1898. The school offers a college preparatory program and its values are faith, service, and academic excellence.

The school’s academic program is rigorous and challenging, and students are expected to work hard and achieve academic excellence. The school offers a wide range of courses, including both the Argentinean and International Baccalaureate (IB) curricula.

St George’s College Quilmes is also committed to faith and service. All students are required to take religious classes, and many students also participate in extracurricular activities that promote faith and service, such as the school’s choir and service clubs. The school believes that faith and service are essential pillars of a well-rounded education.

Sworn Junior College

 Sworn Junior College is a bilingual school located in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with campuses in Belgrano and Pacheco. The school focuses on the development of cognitive, procedural, and intellectual skills aimed at comprehensive bilingual education. They promote student participation to create community and social awareness. The school also has a strong emphasis on arts, sports, science, and technology. They organize group trips to enrich communication and camaraderie among students. Social action is also a part of their curriculum, aiming to foster social responsibility within their community and with other communities. They also provide spaces for overall well-being, including self-awareness and empathy.

Similarities

Educational Approach

  • Holistic Education: Many schools focus on providing a well-rounded education, which often includes academic, social, artistic, and athletic development.
  • Academic Excellence: This is a recurrent theme among the schools. They emphasize strong academic performance, often providing a college preparatory program.
  • Bilingual Education: Several schools highlight their bilingual programs, indicating that language education is an important part of their curricula.
  • Personalized Education: Some schools aim to tailor the educational experience to individual students, focusing on their unique talents and needs.

Social and Emotional Development

  • Community Involvement: Civic participation and community awareness seem to be common values across these schools. This shows that they aim to create socially responsible individuals.
  • Social and Emotional Well-being: The schools often mention the importance of students’ emotional health, indicating a focus on their overall well-being.

Programs and Activities

  • Range of Programs: From kindergarten to secondary education, the schools offer a broad range of educational programs. This allows them to cater to the needs of students at different stages of their educational journey.
  • Extra-Curricular Activities: Schools also mention activities such as team sports, arts, and even group trips and camps, indicating a focus on extracurricular development.

Values and Spirituality

  • Values Education: The term ‘values’ appears quite often, indicating that these schools aim to impart a strong moral and ethical foundation in their students.
  • Religious Orientation: The term ‘St’ (likely short for ‘Saint’) suggests that some schools have a religious component, often rooted in Christian values.

Flexibility and Modernity

  • Modern Approach to Science and Technology: At least one school explicitly mentions a modern approach to science and technology, which could be a growing trend among these schools.
  • Adaptability: Words like ‘offers’ and ‘also’ suggest that the schools are flexible and offer a range of options to adapt to changing educational needs.

In summary, these schools seem to aim for a comprehensive educational experience that balances academic rigor with social and emotional development. They also appear to value community involvement, bilingual education, and a range of extracurricular activities. Some schools have a religious orientation and all generally operate in a similar geographical context, which could influence their educational approach.

Differences

1. Academic Rigor vs. Personalized Learning

  • Predominant Trend: A strong emphasis on academic rigor, aiming to provide a comprehensive educational foundation in multiple disciplines.
  • Outliers: Schools that adopt a more flexible, personalized approach, tailoring education to individual student needs and interests.

2. Artistic and Creative Learning

  • Predominant Trend: Art and creativity are generally considered supplementary to the core academic curriculum.
  • Outliers: Schools that integrate artistic disciplines deeply into their core educational philosophy, making it as important as traditional subjects.

3. Technological Integration

  • Predominant Trend: A moderate focus on technology, often limited to computer classes or the use of technology as a tool in other subjects.
  • Outliers: Schools that deeply integrate technology across the curriculum, preparing students for a highly digitalized world.

4. Spiritual Education

  • Predominant Trend: Generally secular or only mildly religious, usually offering optional religious classes.
  • Outliers: Schools that have a strong religious or spiritual orientation, making it a cornerstone of their educational philosophy.

5. Physical Education

  • Predominant Trend: Physical education is generally seen as an important but secondary part of the curriculum, often focusing on team sports.
  • Outliers: Schools that give physical education a central role, integrating it deeply into the educational experience, sometimes even using it as a medium for teaching other skills like teamwork or strategy.

6. Critical Thinking

  • Predominant Trend: Critical thinking is often mentioned but generally integrated into traditional academic subjects rather than taught as a separate skill.
  • Outliers: Schools that have dedicated programs or methodologies specifically designed to foster critical thinking skills.

7. Extracurricular Activities

  • Predominant Trend: Most schools offer a range of extracurricular activities but do not make them central to the educational experience.
  • Outliers: Schools that deeply integrate extracurricular activities, such as community service or international trips, into their core educational philosophy.

Analysis vis-a-vis the OECD Learning Framework 2030

The OECD Learning Compass 2030 provides a framework for what education systems should strive to achieve, focusing on three key areas: knowledge, skills, and attitudes and values. It also emphasizes the importance of well-being, agency, and co-agency or cooperative capacity. Given that the provided summaries are quite limited, the rating will be a qualitative approximation based on the available information.

Knowledge

  • Alignment: Most schools seem to focus on academic excellence, and at least one school mentions a modern approach to science and technology. Bilingual schools are ahead in terms of linguistic knowledge.

Skills

  • Alignment: Schools that emphasize personalized learning, civic participation, and extracurricular activities like arts and sports show alignment with the skills component of the compass. Those schools that emphasize a holistic education would score higher here.

Attitudes and Values

  • Alignment: Schools with a focus on values education, community service, and social-emotional well-being align well with the attitudes and values component of the compass.

Well-Being

  • Alignment: Schools that focus on the emotional well-being of students and offer a balanced curriculum that includes physical education align well with the well-being dimension of the compass.

Agency

  • Alignment: Schools that offer personalized learning opportunities and encourage civic participation are in alignment with the agency component, which focuses on individual action and responsibility.

Co-Agency/Cooperative Capacity

  • Alignment: Schools that mention community involvement, teamwork in sports, and group activities like trips and camps align with the co-agency aspect, which emphasizes collaborative action.

Summary Ratings (Qualitative)

  1. Schools emphasizing holistic education, values, and well-being: High Alignment
  2. Schools offering bilingual and personalized education: Moderate to High Alignment
  3. Schools primarily focusing on academic excellence: Moderate Alignment
  4. Schools with limited extracurricular or community involvement: Low to Moderate Alignment