Working at SCCS

Founded in 1959, the Santa Cruz Cooperative School (SCCS) was originally established to serve the children of the Gulf Oil Company personnel. In 1970, SCCS became the cooperative it is today. Since then, as a co-operative day school, it is owned and operated by the parents through a Board of Directors selected by them. This makes the process of running the school somewhat different than a public school in the U.S. The parents meet in general session twice annually to approve policy changes, discuss the direction of the school, review fees and tuition and approve the general budget.  Every two years they meet to elect new members to the Board of Directors.

School Campus
SCCS is commited to providing students with the best resources possible through continued improvement of the campus and facilities. As a result, SCCS today is situated on a seven-acre campus with two major areas: one for Primary Education and one for Secondary Education. Landscaped grounds and common facilities join the two areas.

Some keyfeatures include: • Large classrooms with air conditioning • Multimedia classrooms in secondary • Internet access in all classrooms • Medical Care Center with a full-time doctor • Science laboratories in primary and secondary • Four computer laboratories • ESL/SSL center • Two student counseling centers • Sports/theater complex • Weight room for secondary • Sports field with lights for night games • Multiple playgrounds in elementary school • Full-service cafeteria with nutritionist on-site • Library Media Center

Student Population
Unlike many American Overseas Schools, roughly 95% of the student population has a common primary language. While all classes are taught in English (except foreign language classes), Spanish is the language students use when speaking to each other and, unless your Spanish is fluent, you can expect students to have conversations you do not understand in class and on campus. This dual culture provides a unique campus atmosphere and an excellent opportunity for help developing your Spanish language skills.

The student population is, on the whole, very bright and academically motivated. Many students participate in extra-curricular activities and about 99% of SCCS graduates attend colleges and universities in Latin America or the U.S.

Workday
The SCCS workday begins at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 4:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 3:15 on Friday.  All staff members are encouraged to be involved in an extra-curricular activity. While there are opportunities with established student organizations, staff members are also welcome to design an extra-curricular activity according to their personal skill-sets or interests.

Employee Benefits - Licensed Expatriate Teachers

• Salary - Paid 100% in U.S. dollars. No taxes.
• Airfare - Round-trip ticket from point of origin to Bolivia for initial two-year contract. Thereafter, school provides a round trip ticket every year.
• Relocation Allowance - $800 after arrival in Santa Cruz and $300 before you leave.
• Housing Allowance - $3,600/year
• Insurance - Medical insurance is provided for you and your family by an international insurance company. Medical coverage will begin on the first of August and continue through the contract period. You will receive a full health insurance orientation during your first week on campus but, your coverage will begin August 1, 2007 and you will be covered by the insurance policy anywhere in the world.
• Re-signing Bonus - U.S. $500 every year after initial two-year contract.
• Documents - All visa costs provided by the school.
• Sick/Personal Leave - Teachers are provided with standard day leaves in accordance with School
• Board Policies -Three days for personal leave and 10 days for sick leave. Special leaves (e.g. bereavement leave) are coordinated through the director.
• Vacation - Teachers have about four weeks vacation during the Christmas holiday season, about two months during the June and July period, one week during the Easter holiday season, and approximately seven other holidays during the school year. Please see the school calendar for specific dates.

Salary Payments
When you arrive in Santa Cruz, the Incoming Staff Coordinator will help you arrange a savings account at the Banco de Credito including automatic deposits of your $800 settling- in allowance and your paychecks. ATMs are plentiful inside the city and you will find accessing your Banco de Credito account relatively simple. However, it is costly to transfer money from one country to another. Therefore, SCCS provides an optional service of cutting an American check for an amount you specify that you can mail to your bank in the U.S.

Employees of SCCS get paid two different ways. If you are a licensed international teacher, counselor, or principal, you will be paid out of the international budget. You will be paid in ten equal payments with no tax deductions either from the U.S. or from Bolivia. If you are not a licensed teacher or are hired locally (not at a job fair or through a director search) you will be paid out of the local budget. You will be paid in 14 equal payments. If you are paid out of the local fund, you are required to submit a certain amount of receipts for local purchases. This is a simple process and required for Bolivian taxes.