Ukarumpa International School
Ukarumpa International School is an accredited PreK-12 school in Ukarumpa, Papua New Guinea.
Accreditations and recognitions
- Sponsored by the Summer Institute of Linguistics
- Accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, USA.
- Recognised by the Department of Education, Papua New Guinea.
- Established examining centre for the University of London, UK.
- Pre-school ulkomaankoulu, Finland
- The Papua New Guinea National Department of Education approves the school for instruction *through the School Certificate.
History
Throughout the history of the school there has been an emphasis on preparing students for re-entry into their home country education systems. This has led to a steady broadening of the curriculum and the inclusion of Mother Tongue Studies when needed and staffing permitted.In 1962, the high school began with five pupils, from Canada and the US, and three teachers. The students did correspondence lessons from Blackfriars in NSW Australia. The building was a 10-foot by 12-foot bamboo walled building situated on the "Circle' near Lovings and Vincents houses. In 1963 the first permanent building was built on the present site of the school and the pupils grew in number to 13, some came from Kainantu and Aiyura. The original school building was used as a place to store sports equipment for a number of years.
In 1996 the primary and secondary campuses were incorporated into one school to facilitate a K- 12 curriculum under the common name of Ukarumpa International School. Ukarumpa International School has served a student body of approximately 175 in Kindergarten through grade 6 and approximately 180 in 7–12. However, student and staff population fluctuates with the coming and going of missionaries each year. In 2010, the school yearbook, The Silhouette, recorded a population of 258 students and 77 staff. Approximately 80% of the students are children of members or area mission groups. There are 15 nationalities represented in the school with the majority being students from North America.
In 1997 a Finnish School was established with 11 students.
In July 2003 the primary campus was relocated into the centre, away from the Aiyura airport.
In 2017, the sixth grade was relocated from the primary campus to the secondary campus.
Teachers
The 50+ teachers come from many countries. They allow home schooling families at Ukarumpa and allow them to participate in school programs along with their peers.Primary school
In July 2003, the primary campus moved to their new campus on the Centre from the old campus about 3 kilometers away. Facilities on the campus include eight classrooms, three double classrooms, a computer lab, art room, assembly hall, library and six classrooms for Mother Tongue Studies. The large playground has two fields and a large outside basketball court. Covered walkways allow students and staff to traverse the campus in the rain without getting wet.Originally the kindergarten and the preschool for 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds were located on a separate campus. However, in June 2004 the kindergarten moved to the new primary campus. Then in July 2008 the preschool moved to the new campus.