Updates

Several months ago we launched a pilot program for six of our high school seniors to take the Cambridge English Qualifications exam, an internationally recognized credential. We are proud to announce that all six students received their certificates at the end of the Mission School year. Upon receiving their results, we learned that the Mission School is the first semi-private school in all of Ecuador to have students that have passed the Cambridge exams.

These six students prepared for the exam by attending classes after school twice a week for the past several months. To sit for the exam, they traveled to Guayaquil, the nearest testing site, and their dedication was reflected in strong results: one student achieved a B2 level, five reached B1, and one earned A2—just one point shy of B1. These levels, aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, indicate that these students have achieved independent advanced use of the English language. Practically, this certification can strengthen university applications and open doors to jobs requiring strong English skills.

One student, Jenedith, shares that her motivation for taking the exam was the variety of opportunities she will have with this level of certificate. Though initially nervous, her individualized classes and preparation helped her pronunciation and grammar significantly. Aaron, who lives a few villages from the Mission School, has enjoyed studying English from a young age. He honestly recounts that the exam was a challenge, but he was grateful for the opportunity and was proud he was able to achieve this certification. From the beginning, he knew he wanted to pursue it for the doors it could open in his future.

Expanding access to opportunities like this is at the heart of our mission, particularly since we believe this will lead to more opportunities for these students to find sustainable work. We are committed to ensuring that vulnerable students can access high-quality education that leads to greater financial stability and choice in their futures. As our English program continues to grow, we hope to offer this opportunity to even more students in the years ahead.