Director’s Welcome
A Message from Sarah Mallery
Dear Families and Visitors,
Welcome to San Juan del Sur Day School.
My connection to education began long before I became a teacher or school leader. I grew up in the remote El Morro Valley of New Mexico on a cattle ranch, surrounded by nature, family, and a strong sense of community. Some of my earliest memories are of planting corn with my father, feeding cows after school, and watching wildlife move through the creek near our home. Those experiences taught me that learning is most powerful when it is meaningful, connected to the real world and rooted in curiosity.
That same belief is one of the reasons I feel so deeply connected to Nicaragua and to San Juan del Sur Day School. We are fortunate to live and learn in a place filled with natural beauty, rich culture and extraordinary opportunities for students to explore beyond the classroom.
I have spent 20 years working in education across the United States, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and international online learning, spanning early childhood through high school and adult education. My journey at San Juan del Sur Day School began as a Reading Specialist and Teaching & Learning Coordinator. I later served as Academic Director and Assistant Director before becoming School Director. That progression has allowed me to understand the school from many different perspectives — from individual student learning and teacher support to whole-school systems, family partnerships, admissions, operations, and long-term planning.
As Director, I believe deeply in the values that create strong schools: kindness, respect, professionalism, collaboration, gratitude, clear communication, and a strong work ethic. I also believe every student should feel known, challenged, supported, and inspired to discover what they are capable of.
The school continues to grow in both size and opportunity. With 195 students enrolled in the 2026–27 school year, we are strengthening systems across academics, student support, communication, leadership, and school operations while expanding opportunities for students.
We have introduced more personalized academic pathways, expanded access to AP and advanced learning, expanded the ways we identify and respond to students who need additional academic or social-emotional support, increased student leadership opportunities, and continued building athletics, outdoor education, sustainability, and enrichment programs.
One of the areas I am especially passionate about is program development. I enjoy bringing ideas to life and connecting curriculum with authentic experiences. At San Juan del Sur Day School, students experience a broad academic program that extends beyond the traditional core. Alongside English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and Spanish, our schedule includes opportunities in outdoor education, sustainability, academic writing and research, public speaking and debate, AI literacy and computer science, STEAM, health and wellness, creative arts, digital design, career exploration, and integrated projects. We also continue to strengthen bilingual pathways, academic support, college and career preparation, advanced coursework, and flexible learning opportunities so students can be both challenged and supported as individuals.
Learning also continues beyond the regular school day. Our after-school program gives students additional opportunities to explore interests, develop skills, stay active, and build friendships across grade levels. Current offerings include soccer, volleyball, fitness and gymnastics, technology through Onda Makers Club, photography, music, French, Spanish, and English language support. These programs are an important part of creating a school experience that values creativity, athletics, language learning, technology, and community alongside strong academics.
Just as important as academics is the culture we create together. Strong schools are built through relationships. I value being visible, accessible, and connected to students, teachers, and families. I enjoy welcoming prospective families, listening to ideas and concerns, supporting teachers through challenges, and working collaboratively to find solutions. My door is always open, and I encourage families to reach out, ask questions, share feedback, and be part of the continued growth of the school.
Our goal is not only to prepare students for the next grade level. We want them to become confident learners, thoughtful problem-solvers, compassionate leaders, and engaged global citizens who understand both their local community and the wider world.
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about San Juan del Sur Day School. I invite you to explore our website, visit our campus, meet our educators, and experience the warmth, energy, and sense of purpose that make the school so special.
Warmly,
Sarah Mallery
Director
Learn about our mission and educational philosophy with Bosco Bonilla, Sub-Director at San Juan del Sur Day School.
Our Mission
To cultivate inquisitive, self-reliant, lifelong learners with creative minds, healthy bodies, and ethical spirits to lead a sustainable future.
Core Values
What Makes Our International School Unique?
Core values are a set of personal qualities, fundamental beliefs, ideals or practices that inform how you conduct your life, both personally and professionally. Our values convey the beliefs that positively influence our behavior and the way we interact with individuals, groups and our community. They represent the deepest beliefs and sentiments to which we can aspire, and they shape our School community. As a school, we’re all about our school values.
Joyfulness, Respect, Responsibility, Truthfulness, Compassion, Enthusiasm, Service to Others, Peace, Respect for the Environment, Gratitude
Our History: Bilingual & Nature-Based Education in Nicaragua
Founded in 2009, San Juan del Sur Day School has grown into a leading international school in Nicaragua, accredited by Cognia and MINED. We offer a bilingual, sustainability-focused curriculum with hands-on learning in a nature-based environment. Our students graduate with both the International Cognia Diploma and the Nicaraguan Diploma, preparing them for universities worldwide. Our school is operated by a dedicated group of Nicaraguan citizens who passionately believe in the transformative power of education to uplift our community. Their commitment goes beyond the classroom, as they have spent the past three years tirelessly working to standardize curriculum, foster transformative leadership, and cultivate practices that strengthen the bonds within our community. This dedication reflects a deep-rooted belief that education is the key to creating lasting, positive change, and they have embraced the responsibility of ensuring that our school not only meets the academic needs of our students but also nurtures their development as engaged, compassionate citizens.
It began as a humble one-room beach house school, founded by Julie Speier and John Crilly, with the aim of meeting the early childhood needs of our community. In 2015, Chris Robertson and his family generously offered their organic farm, known as Finca las Nubes, as a new home for our school. Situated just outside town on the mountaintop known as la Cuesta, the Robertson Family initially built a preschool building, later joined by other families to construct the elementary school building. Over time, our 10-acre farm and forest campus, boasting breathtaking views from San Juan del Sur to Ometepe and Costa Rica, grew organically to meet the evolving needs of our students.
In 2022, the construction of the high school and various campus improvements marked significant milestones in our journey. With the contributions of countless teachers, students, and families, our school emerged as the leader in International education within San Juan del Sur and throughout our region.
Stakeholders are united behind our mission and common vision to continue the school's growth within the lens of sustainability. Our vision is to offer a unique educational framework that unites and engages all community members, fostering real-world, inquiry-based instruction and innovative practices. We aim to prepare students for the future by instilling in them the skills, values, and motivation to take action for sustainability, both locally and globally. As we embark on the journey to expand the school's K-12 International Accredited program we look are united by the joy. Interested in learning more? Contact us today to schedule a visit to our international school in Nicaragua.
Governance at San Juan del Sur Day School. Through its legal entity Senderos Educacion S.A. is duly authorized by the Ministry of Education and Accredited through COGNIA International to operate a Colegio Bilingual fulfilling all obligations and requirements under all educational laws and norms of the Country of Nicaragua. We are a mission based school focusing on cultivating citizens for a sustainable future. Our governance approach embraces a thoughtful balance between adhering to Nicaraguan regulations, aligning with Senderos Educacion strategic direction, and embracing stakeholder input. We value alignment with our local partners while honoring and supporting the unique needs of our community. San Juan del Sur Day School sees itself as a community of learners that offers educational opportunities for its Nicaraguan and International students but also its instructors, the local community, employees, parents, and other stakeholders.
Senderos Educacion is strategic in nature, sets strategic goals, determines strategic alliances, determines directors, mission, objectives, holds responsibility for financial controls, provides operational support and oversight and legal representation of the school.