American School of Guatemala

Guatemala City, Guatemala

School Mission: The American School of Guatemala’s mission is to empower its students to achieve their full potential and to inspire them to lead meaningful lives as responsible members of a global society.

Visit the school website for more information.

Family Reviewed – overall rating for teaching families

Would you recommend this school to other teaching families?

Unlikely to recommend – some serious reservations

Overall compensation package rating

Adequate, meets basic needs but not exceptional

Tuition benefits

Full coverage capped at 1 child

Housing

Adequate (partial coverage requiring some out-of-pocket expense)

Flights

Flights at beginning or end of contract (teacher + family)

Healthcare

Good coverage with some limitations or co-pays

Excellent – high quality and readily accessible

Adjustment for kids

Moderately – took some time but eventually adjusted

Support for partners

None – no support provided

Overall school community support for families

Adequate – basic support available

Extracurricular opportunities for kids

Good – a decent range of activities with some high-quality options

Most activities are included at no extra cost

Retirement/pension benefits

No retirement benefits

School leadership rating & stability

Poor to Fair – minimal engagement or understanding

Mostly stable (occasional changes)

American School of Guatemala – Additional Benefits

  • Professional development budget
  • Relocation allowance
  • Additional bonuses
  • No maternity leave beyond legal minimum
  • No child sick days (separate from personal leave)
  • No paternity leave

It was a difficult first year for my child as it’s a dual language school with
90 %+ local students.

Current Teacher

Field trips, school supplies, after school clubs are all included at no cost.

Current Teacher

For teaching families considering this school, my question would be ‘Do your children speak Spanish?’

Current Teacher
Black and white image of the National Palace in Guatemala City
Traditional Guatemalan musician playing in an outdoor square
Vibrant umbrellas in a lively street in Guatemala - what you can experience if you teach at the American School of Guatemala

Safety, Adaptability & Cost of Living

  • Safety: Poor to Fair – Guatemala has ongoing or recurring safety concerns
  • Adaptability: Moderate – mixed experience with some cultural barriers
  • Cost of Living: Expensive – challenging to maintain desired lifestyle

General Overview for Teaching Families

Unable to save/going into debt

Excellent – plenty of family time

Under 40 hours

Generally flexible

Limited – basic accommodations only

New family orientation program and a family mentoring/buddy system

Only 1 free tuition/teacher. High cost of living for the low salary.

Good support – provides some resources like info sessions, basic language courses, and HR guidance.

Spanish-speaking families

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