AboutRon Russell Expertise I lived full time in the Chapala-Ajijic area for 7 years, and now Manzanillo area 4 years. During that time I provided information (health care, working papers, immigration, driving, cost of living, insurance, culture, divorce in Mexico, trusts vs direct deed,etc) to help people make the decision about whether the area was right for them, either full or part-time.
Now living north of Manzanillo on the Pacific Coast. I live legally in Mexico.
Experience Founding partner of a facilitation company for people thinking about relocating to the Lake Chapala area of Mexico. I am no longer involved in this company's activities.
Have driven extensively in the area, to the coast (Manzanillo, Puerto Vallarta, Colima),to Patzcuaro, etc. Bused to Mexico City, flew to Chiapas. Also driven in Honduras, from Ontario Canada through border crossings at Laredo and Reynosa Texas to Lakeside. Can provide instructions and border crossing info. Publications: DISCOVER MEXICO, HEAD FOR MEXICO-THE RENEGADE GUIDE BY DON ADAMS. Video and MM production specialist. I do NOT sell real estate!
Question I am trying to retire in the Lake Chapala area, I have a 16 yr old son who is in the 10th grade, plays the violin and take karate. I think I read about you and High Schools can you help? Tim
Answer Hi Tim,
There are Spanish-language public high schools in the area as well as private bilingual schools, kindergarten through 12th grade. A Spanish-language vocational school is on the bypass and has recently expanded. Next door to that is a satellite college, affilitated with the University of Guadalajara.
You may have heard of OakHill, a private bilingual school operating here for many years. It closed about 2 years about but a religious order has reopened the school. Located next to the Lakeside Little Theatre.
In Guadalajara the American School is popular. The American School offers a coeducational, bilingual program from prekindergarten through high school. The student body consists of nearly 1,300 students, more than 80% of whom are Mexican. The teaching staff is multinational. The school year runs from late August to late June with 2-week vacations at Easter and Christmas.
The Lincoln School also in Guadalajara(prekindergarten through grade 12) offers two different teaching programs: the bilingual program is taught half in Spanish and half in English; and the traditional, bicultural program offers 90% of material in English and the remaining 10% in Spanish. The school is built on Christian principles, with mandatory 20-minute devotions each morning.
Lakeside has karate clubs and a number of music teachers. I am not familiar with the music teachers, but if check with the music directors of local churches I'm sure you will find what you need. Also check out the following groups:
Music Appreciation Society A.C.:
Promotes music, in all its forms, in the Lake Chapala area including concerts and auditions; promotes music classes; provides stipends to music students; and stages six highly professional concerts each year plus several other concerts designed as auditions, or auditions for music students.
Charlton Bullock 766-1582 wotan07@bigfoot.com
Golden Strings:
Provides free musical instruments and music lessons to area students.
Roy Forman 01 387 763-0199 royalmex@yahoo.com
