Colegio Americano de Puebla - History

History

Founded in 1942, by Mrs. Anne Jenkins with the purpose of providing an education for the sons of American doctors living in Puebla City, the American School originally started giving classes in a spare garage that was used as a classroom. In 1943, the school formally opened to the public, this time occupying a rented house as the campus. The school was now attended by Mexican students wishing to receive a bilingual education as well as the previous Americans. Under the Leadership of Prof. J. L. Burleson as principal, the school periodically increased the number of enrolled students, changing locations several times in order to accommodate the growing number of members. By 1946, with the new Prof. H. Stephen Stockmeyer as principal, there were 150 students. By 1949, the La Paz Campus, which still stands today as the seat for the administrative and high school buildings, finished construction. At this time, there were 400 students enrolled in the school. Passing through several principals and a steady rise in the number of students, the American school of Puebla was forced to undergo construction in order to have more classrooms. Eventually, a new campus was needed and, thanks to a donation from Mr. William O. Jenkins, was established in 1965 in Las Animas, the current location of the Elementary School and Kindergarten. Due to the constant growth of the school, in 1975, the Huexotitla campus was bought from another school, and, after facing renovation served the school as well. Today it is the seat of the Junior high. In 2006, Dr. Chaffee retired after 36 years of service to the School as Superintendent. Today Dr. Galicia is the Superintendent.