Students, staff and families of the International Institute gathered Friday, January 18 for a ground-breaking ceremony at the site of the school’s permanent campus, with Chapala Mayor Joaquin Huerta attending as guest of honor to lay the symbolic cornerstone.
The new facility is under construction on a sprawling 7,200 square-meter plot of land located above the Libramiento bypass, offering magnificent views of Lake Chapala. According to the school’s director Lily Ehlebracht, stage one of the building project involves a classroom module with capacity for 90 students and a small auditorium, projected for completion and occupation by the start of the 2013-2014 academic year next August.
The complete blueprint, designed by local architect Jaime Hernandez, includes a second wing to be added according to growth of the student body, plus a sports complex and residential quarters for boarding students to be built in coming years.Since opening its doors in August 2011, the school has operated on private property located at Carretera Poniente 493 on the west end of Ajijic. Starting out with learning programs geared for senior high school students, the institute expanded its scope for the current term to include the junior high level. Based on pillars of scholarship, global responsibility and self-expression through the arts, the school focuses on highly personalized teaching to suit each student’s individual needs and talents.
For additional information about the school log on to www.iiop.edu.mx.