Nicaragua’s oldest state university is the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua (Universidad Nacional Autónima de Nicaragua - UNAN) in León. It also has a campus in Managua Tel: (505) 270460.
Managua’s Jesuit-affiliated University of Central America (UCA) is the country’s oldest private university, started in the 1980s. Tel. 505 278-3923
Universidad Americana (UAM) is another reputable private university in Managua.
Ave María College of the Americas, in San Marcos, is the only four-year U.S.-accredited college, with all classes taught in English. Tel. 505-432-2312.
For more information on universities, visit the webpage of the National University Council (www.cnu.edu.ni), which is the governing body for all Nicaragua’s institutions of higher learning.
Private Elementary and High Schools
Nicaragua has a variety of quality bilingual and English-language schools students. (or American schools) for elementary and highschool aged and academies for to choose from.
Although legal foreign residents are entitled to attend public schools, many of the schools are rundown and under-funded (and all the classes are taught in Spanish).
Nicaragua’s private English-language schools generally have high academic standards, and are geared toward preparing students for admittance to colleges in the United States or elsewhere.
Courses are taught in English, with Spanish offered as a second language.
The cost of some of these private schools varies, but can be more than $350/month.
Before enrolling your child at any of the following schools, it is a good idea to visit several campuses and tour the facilities. It’s also a good idea to try to talk with some of the other students or parents to get an idea of how things are running at the school, and what past experiences have been. Find out about student/teacher ratio, security issues on campus, and teacher qualifications. Will a native-language speaker teach classes?
The American Nicaraguan School has an
accreditated academic program
Ask about the school-year schedule… Some schools follow the U.S. academic year (September to June), while others follow theNicaraguan academic year (March to November).
Also ask the admissions office for a list of colleges and universities attended by graduates from the previous year, to get an idea of how well students were prepared for higher education and the world beyond.
In Managua:
The American Nicaraguan School (www.ans.edu.ni, tel. 505-278-0029), on a 26-acre campus in Managua, is one of the oldest accredited private, co-ed day schools, grades K3-12. Monthly tuition ranges from $150 (for K3) to $328 (for grades 7-12). The school provides bus service from Granada to Managua for all students.
Lincoln International Academy (www.lincoln.edu.ni, tel. (505) 276-3000), founded in 1991, is a private, Catholic, co-ed school, with pre-school – grade 12. School puts heavy emphasis on teaching virtues and Christian values.
Colegio Alemán Nicaragüense (‘The German School’)( www.dasan.de/ds_managua/ Tel. 505 265-8449) is a private primary and secondary school with classes taught in Spanish.
The Nicaraguan Christian School (www.nca.edu.ni, 505-265-2277), offers pre-kinder, primary and secondary school, all taught in English with a heavy emphasis on Christian values. The academy, which is an accredited member of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), also offers a summer camp.
Notre Dame School (www.notredame.edu.ni, 505-276-0463) is a Catholic bilingual school offering preschool, primary and secondary classes, complete with sports club facilities and science laboratories. Offers transportation from Granada.
Saint Dominic School (505-276-2061), a completely bilingual preschool, primary and secondary with transportation from Granada.
Bilingual Preschools
Kinder Ker (505) 270-5081
Centro Pre-Escolar Carrusel (505)-244-4272), located in Bello Horizonte Managua, this 28-year-old school offers personalized education, classes in English, dance, folklore and computers, and transportation service.
Kidzchool (kidzchool@yahoo.com, 505-270-4547), offers classes in English
If you opt for home-schooling, several programs which you can find on the internet:www.calvertschool.edu,www.unl.eduand www.keystonehighschool.com.
Excellent Books for Learning Spanish
Christopher Howard’s Guide to Costa Rican Spanish, by Christopher Howard. This is the book especially designed to help you speak like a native. Although it is designed for Costa Rica, it can be helpful for people learning Nicaraguan-style Spanish.
*Madrigal’s Magic Key to Spanish, by Margarita Madrigal. Dell Publishing Group , 666 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10103. Provides an easy method of learning Spanish based on the many similarities between Spanish and English. This book is a "must" for the beginner.
*Open Door to Spanish - A Conversation Course for Beginners by Margarita Madrigal. Regent Publishing Company. (books 1 and 2 ). Two other great books for the beginner.
Spanish for Gringos, by William C. Harvey. Barron's Press. This is an amusing book that will help you improve your Spanish.
Barron’s Spanish Idioms, by Eugene Savaia and Lynn W. Winget. Thisbook has more than 2,000 idiomatic words and expressions. It is a helpful handbook for students of Spanish, tourists and business people who want to increase their general comprehension of the language.
Guide to Spanish Idioms, by Raymond H. Pierson. Passport Books, 4255 West Touchy Ave, Chicago, Illinois, 60646. Contains over 2,500 expressions to help you speak like a native.
Barron’s Basic Spanish Grammar, by Christopher Kendris. An indepth study of Spanish grammar.
Household Spanish, by William C. Harvey. Barron's Press. A user-friendly book especially for English-speakers who need to communicate with Spanish-speaking employees.
A New Reference Grammar of Modern Spanish, by John Butt and Carmen Benjamin. NTC Publishing Group. This one of the best reference books ever written in Spanish grammar. It is very easy to use and understand.
Useful Reference Books
Dictionary of Spoken Spanish Words, Phrases and Sentences. Dover Publications Inc., New York, NY. ISBN 0-486-20495-2. This is the best of all phrase dictionaries.
Latin-American Spanish Dictionary, by David Gold. Ballantine Books. A good dictionary of Spanish used in Latin America.
Business Books
Talking Business in Spanish, by Bruce Fryer and Hugo J. Faria. Barron’s Educational Series. Has over 3,000 business terms and phrases. A must for any person planning to do business in the Spanish speaking world.
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