Escuela Bella Vista, more commonly known as EBV, is a high school located in Maracaibo, Venezuela. EBV is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The school currently enrolls 350 students, from Preschool through grade 12. Also offered is an International Baccalaureate (IB) program, as well classes through Florida Virtual School.
At one time the school used to enroll more than 600 students. However, after the strikes held against the Hugo Chávez government in December 2002, many students fled from the country. The school lost many of its international students, in particular American students. The loss of students had an impact on the graduating class of 2004, which produced only 6 graduates, from a class which initially started with only 7 seniors. Currently, most students are from Venezuela, though there are students from as many as 20 other countries that attend, mainly in elementary classes.
The school was formed in 1948 and its facilities currently include 46 classrooms, an Auditorium, two gyms, science laboratories, an Optimal Learning Center, library, two computer labs, a computer network system, cafeteria, vocal music and band rooms, art room, clinic, tennis courts, and playing fields.
The student population is made up of 20 different nationalities with 90 percent being Venezuelan. The average class size in academic courses is 15 students. There are 43 teachers in the school, 25 of whom hold a master’s degree or higher.
Students in the high school follow a U.S. based curriculum, which culminates in the International Baccalaureate Program in grades 11 and 12. In order to graduate, students must earn a total of 28 credits. The school has a block schedule during which students attend four 90-minute periods per day. Classes are scheduled on a two-day cycle in order to provide 138 hours of instruction in each academic subject over the course of a year.