Student Support Services
Advanced Learning Program (ALP)
Academia Cotopaxi has a long and proud history of supporting students with advanced learning needs, including those formally identified as Talented and Gifted. This year, we are strengthening that commitment through the development of our new Advanced Learning Program (ALP).
A multi-stakeholder steering committee is working throughout the school year to build a shared vision for the ALP. This ensures that our approach to advanced learning is thoughtfully designed, responsive to student needs, and aligned with community values.
If your child is an advanced learner or has been identified as Talented and Gifted, we encourage you to contact Ben Contine, Advanced Learning Coordinator, at:
bcontine@cotopaxi.k12.ec
Ben can share more information about how our evolving programming will support your child’s strengths, growth, and potential.
Learning Support Program
Academia Cotopaxi offers a comprehensive Learning Support Program for students from 12 months of age through Grade 12. Our program is built on a service model that uses the expertise of our specialist team to best support the wide range of learning needs across our student body.
We provide support for students with mild and moderate learning needs, and for a limited number of students who require significant learning support. We believe that all children can be successful learners and grow into confident self-advocates.
Led by Learning Support Coordinator Soledad Valencia, our team maintains a unified, schoolwide approach and engages in continuous professional learning to ensure high-quality support and care for all students.
To learn how the Learning Support Program may help your child, please contact our Admissions Department at:
admissions@cotopaxi.k12.ec
Counseling Department
Academia Cotopaxi’s Counseling Department reflects the best of international school counseling, providing highly professional, consistent, and student-centered care.
Led by our Psychologist and Head Counselor, Tania Espinosa del Durán-Ballén, the counseling team is aligned with best practices, committed to ongoing training, and dedicated to supporting student well-being across all divisions.
Our counselors use a comprehensive social-emotional learning (SEL) approach that includes:
- Group and grade-level lessons and support
- Individual counseling sessions
- Family guidance and support
- Parent and community education opportunities
- Teacher training and collaboration
- English Language Support Program
Academia Cotopaxi is a language-rich, English-medium international school. English is our primary language of instruction, and all students also receive Spanish language instruction, tailored to their fluency level—from beginner to native speakers.
Because most of our students join us with English as an additional language (EAL), we provide robust English Language Support to help students build fluency and confidence quickly. Our services include:
Internal English Language Support for Grades 1–12
External support through the Academia Cotopaxi Language and Testing Center, including our Intensive English Program, designed to accelerate English acquisition for students who are new to English
Our English Language Support Coordinator and dedicated EAL teachers provide individualized planning, scheduling, and instruction for every student receiving services. Our goal is for students to develop strong English skills as early and efficiently as possible, so they can fully engage in our rigorous academic and enrichment programs.