Escuela Bella Vista

Escuela Bella Vista, more commonly known as EBV, is a high school located in Maracaibo, Venezuela. The school currently enrolles 350 students, covers from Preschool to grade 12 and offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) program to its students, as well as the possibility of attending Florida Virtual School. Even though the school used to enroll more than 600 students, after the strikes held toward Hugo Chávez government in December 2002, many American students fled from the city, and the school lost many of its international students. Currently, most students are from Venezuela, even though there are students from 20 other countries, mainly on elementary classes. The losses of students were perfectly visible on the graduating class of 2004, which only graduated 6 students, from a class which initially started with only 7 seniors (Blas Asenjo being the one that left the school before the end of the academic year).

The school was formed in 1948 and its facilities currently include 46 classrooms, an Auditorium, two gyms, science laboratories, an Optimal Learning Center, library, two computer labs, a computer network system, cafeteria, vocal music and band rooms, art room, clinic, tennis courts, and playing fields. EBV is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

The student population is made up of 20 different nationalities with 90 percent being Venezuelan. The average class size in academic courses is 15 students. There are 43 teachers in the school, 25 of whom hold a master’s degree or higher.

Students in the high school follow a U.S. based curriculum, which culminates in the International Baccalaureate Program in grades 11 and 12. In order to graduate, students must earn a total of 28 credits. The school has a block schedule during which students attend four 90-minute periods per day. Classes are scheduled on a two-day cycle in order to provide 138 hours of instruction in each academic subject over the course of a year.

Present and Past Problems

Escuela Bella Vista considers itself a multicultural school with no determined culture but they tend to break this policy. Having long hair, wearing piercings, and having tattoos are just some of the rules that the board of directors disapproves and prohibits students having them without taking into concern that some cultures might find this appropriate or as a symbol of distinguishment from other cultures. Escuela Bella Vista has had many problems with teacher discrimination in the past and nowadays, treating foreign teachers in a better way than local teachers. Although the principal and some teachers might deny this, the tension and superiority feeling is present in the ambience. Don't expect to arrive to a school where tranquility of labor is seen.

The lifestyle in the city is very dangerous, and many teachers have had many problems with crime issues. The gunshot that caused Dr. Webb's eye loss, Mr. Antonio being captured by some kidnappers, Ms. Gorecki being assaulted while going to the local bakery, and Mr.Torres getting assaulted leaving Sambil(city mall) are just some cases teachers have had to deal with in Maracaibo. Teachers coming to Maracaibo I advise you if you're thinking of coming to Escuela Bella Vista as Mr. McBee (the last high school principal before Todd Zukewich) said, “The money is not worth it. Maracaibo is too dangerous and the government is too corrupt that the right of feeling safe is not seen imposed by officials making life unsuitable for teachers use to living under this condition”