LEARN AT TAMBRAN

Educating the whole child for the whole world

At Tambran School, we offer a comprehensive educational experience designed to support the development of students at every stage of their academic journey. Our programs focus on intellectual, emotional, and social growth, providing a well-rounded approach to education

A Tambran Day

Our School Day goes from 8:00 AM to 3:15PM

Arrival & Gathering

Mondays: All-school assembly
Tue-Fri: Outdoor Morning Meetings often held outdoors, in our beautiful natural setting. In these meetings teachers and students connect and share a grounding activity.

Morning Learning

In the morning, they engage in two focused academic blocks, often dedicated to Math and English Language Arts (ELA). These are scheduled early in the day when students are more focused and alert.

Healthy Break

Students have a healthy school-provided snack and outdoor recess after their first two academic blocks.

Mid-day Learning

Our mid-day period includes three (3) learning blocks, during which students rotate through a variety of subjects:

  • Science, Social Studies, Wellness, or Spanish

Or participate in the arts:

  • Dance, Music, PE, or Art
Lunch & Recess

Students enjoy lunch and recess, providing both nourishment and play.

Afternoon Learning

The afternoon continues with two (2) final learning blocks, offering time to revisit core subjects, complete project work, or take part in specials.

Weekly Learning Highlights

Taught Daily:

  • English Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, and Science (by Homeroom Teacher)
  • Spanish (by dedicated Spanish teacher)

Twice a Week:

  • Wellness Sessions (by school counselor & wellness coordinator)
  • Physical Education (PE)

Once a Week:

  • Art, Music, and Dance

Throughout the day, learning is enriched by frequent outdoor experiences—from academic lessons under the trees to pond visits, hikes, and unstructured exploration—making the most of our natural surroundings and supporting whole-child development.

Included Essentials

At Tambran, we believe a high-quality education goes hand in hand with care, nourishment, and ease for families. That’s why your child’s experience includes more than just exceptional academics.

Here’s what’s part of every student’s day:

Healthy Snack

A healthy morning snack to fuel focus and energy

Nutritious Lunch

A nutritious, freshly prepared lunch, enjoyed together as a class community

Transportation

School transportation to and from designated locations around San Juan del Sur, in our air-conditioned Coaster bus

These offerings are all included as part of our holistic approach to education—supporting students’ well-being, learning, and daily rhythm from the moment they leave home to the moment they return.

Wellness & Social Emotional Learning

Classroom & Behavior Management

At Tambran School, our behavior policy reflects our commitment to nurturing the holistic development of our students and fostering a positive school culture based on respect, empathy, and collaboration. Our behavior policy is rooted in restorative practices, active listening, and conflict resolution, aiming to cultivate a sense of responsibility, empathy, and self-awareness among our students. We acknowledge the appropriate developmental distinctions among our students and understand that behavior is often a manifestation of unmet needs or emotions. Our approach does not focus on shaming or punishment, but rather encourages reflection, empathy, and understanding. Together, we create a safe and inclusive environment where every student can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Tambran Traits

Tambran Traits are fundamental principles that guide behaviors, decisions, and actions at Tambran School.  They are essential to shaping and maintaining the overall culture of the school. Tambran Traits create a consistent framework that helps everyone in the school—students, teachers, staff, and administrators—understand what is expected of them and what they can expect from others. This consistency is crucial in creating a sense of security and belonging, which is vital for a positive school environment. Tambran Traits serve as a compass for good decision making. They provide a framework for decision-making at all levels of the school. Whether it’s a policy decision by the administration or a day-to-day choice by a teacher or student, these core values offer a clear guide for making decisions that are in line with the school’s mission and vision.

Principles

Restorative Practices

We believe in addressing behavioral issues through dialogue, understanding, and repairing harm. Restorative practices focus on building and maintaining relationships, emphasizing accountability and empathy.

Active Listening

We encourage active listening among students, staff, and stakeholders. By actively engaging in conversations and understanding each other’s perspectives, we can foster empathy, mutual respect, and effective communication.

Conflict Resolution

We empower students to resolve conflicts peacefully and constructively. Through mediation, dialogue, and problem-solving strategies, students learn to manage conflicts, build consensus, and collaborate effectively with their peers.

*More details can be found in our Family Handbook

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Classroom Instruction in English or Spanish?

Core academic subjects—English Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Wellness—are taught in English, making up about 70% of the school day. Spanish is taught as a dedicated subject daily.  In addition, Spanish is used in creative and movement-based classes such as PE, Art, Dance, and Music, which account for approximately 30% of the day. This structure gives students consistent exposure to Spanish throughout the week in natural, engaging settings.

Students spend approximately 2 hours of the 6.75-hour school day (roughly 30%) in scheduled outdoor time, including recess and PE.  Beyond that, many activities such as morning meetings, wellness periods, and even academic lessons often take place outdoors when appropriate. Unstructured outdoor exploration, hikes, time at the pond, and spontaneous nature-based learning further increase time spent outside, making the most of our rich natural environment.

Check out Tambran Clubs for descriptions of our after-school activities, including dance, music, voice lessons, STEM, and more!  Tambran also offers Summer Camps!

 Parents stay informed through multiple channels throughout the year. One of the key touchpoints is our Family Conferences, which are held five times annually (August, October, December, March, and June). These one-on-one meetings between families and teachers offer valuable opportunities to discuss each student’s progress, behavior, and overall development. The first conference focuses on relationship-building, while the remaining four include detailed progress reports.

In addition to conferences, the school administration sends out a biweekly email with important updates about upcoming events, school-wide news, and reminders. Teachers also share regular classroom updates, currently through newsletters.

We also invite families to participate in various school events throughout the year, including the September Independence Day performance, Family Day, mid-year holiday celebration, end-of-year Moving Up Ceremony, and more. These events help foster a strong sense of community and connection between school and home.

Launched during the 2024–2025 school year, the Parent Organization is a welcoming space for all Tambran families to connect, collaborate, and contribute to school life. Open to every parent or guardian, the group meets monthly to plan community-building events, discuss school initiatives, and share constructive feedback. A member of the school leadership team joins each meeting to provide updates and listen to parent perspectives. In its inaugural year, the Parent Organization brought our community together through regular movie nights, teacher appreciation celebrations, and more and proudly facilitated the creation of Tambran’s first-ever yearbook. All are encouraged to join and take part in shaping the spirit of Tambran!

Early Childhood

In our classrooms, children are encouraged to ask questions, discover new interests, and build foundational skills through hands-on activities and collaborative play. Our educators guide students in developing key social-emotional skills. We prioritize helping children develop self-confidence, emotional regulation, and positive interactions with peers, creating a safe and nurturing environment where each child feels valued and heard.

We understand that each child develops at their own pace, which is why our curriculum focuses on the whole child—cognitively, emotionally, socially, and physically.   At Tambran, early childhood education is not just about preparing children for school—it’s about cultivating a love of learning, self-confidence, and a curiosity about the world around them.

Primary School

Our curriculum is thoughtfully designed to challenge students academically while honoring their individual growth journeys. Through small class sizes, personalized instruction, and experiential learning opportunities, we empower students to become critical thinkers, problem-solvers, and confident communicators.

The well-being of each child is central to our approach. We promote a growth mindset, encouraging students to view challenges as opportunities for growth and self-improvement. In addition to academic excellence, we emphasize the importance of social-emotional learning, fostering a sense of belonging, responsibility, and respect within our school community.

At Tambran, we aim to cultivate lifelong learners who are not only equipped to succeed academically but are also empowered to make meaningful contributions to the world around them.

Secondary School

A Bold New Way to Learn
Middle school should be a time of discovery, excitement, and passion—not boredom and disengagement. Traditional middle school models often disengage students at a critical developmental stage. As adolescents enter this phase, their natural curiosity and love for learning frequently diminish due to rigid structures and a lack of agency in their education. Teachers are expected to bring a wildly diverse group of learners to the same place at the same time, a challenge that often runs counter to what we know about human development and motivation. At Tambran International School, we’re launching an innovative Middle School Learning Pod Program for grades 7–8. This is a different approach—one that blends academic fundamentals with self-directed inquiry, hands-on experiences, and real-world learning