Description of the Grade Level Sections of Institution Univers
Univers des Petits, the Preschool/Kindergarten section of Institution Univers is actually the oldest. In 1994, the five Ouanaminthe natives who founded I.U. decide to begin with 3-year olds to raise a generation with a new outlook through quality education groundedoin hope in Christ. With each passing year, a new grade level was added. The current Univers des Petits has 3-year, 4-year, and 5-year old grade levels, with four classrooms at each grade level. Children learn to read their mother tongue Creole, which is phonetic, write their letters and numbers, and recite some basic French. In 2007-2008 Univers des Petits entered its own building next to the main I.U. building, designed by COCINA Board members in Wisconsin.
The I.U. primary school, grades 1-6, serves roughly 600 children, three classrooms per grade level. For grades 1-5, the school day runs from 7 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. with a half hour for lunch and recess. The 6th grade is in session 7:00 a.m. – noon, and 2:00-4:30 p.m. The curriculum is strictly mandated by the national government and supplemented by a daily Bible lesson. Instruction is given in Creole, with a transition happening to French in grade 6. The climax of Haitian elementary education is 3 days of government exams which cover all subject matters and which must be passed in order to advance to 7th grade.
Middle school, grades 7-9, is housed on the 2nd floor of I.U.’s main building. Unlike primary school, each subject is taught by a teacher specializing in that area. Students remain in the same classroom all day with the same students. A different teacher enters each hour for the scheduled subject. In Ouanaminthe, each teacher generally has courses to instruct at several local schools. All instruction from grade 7 onward is given in French. At the end of 9th grade, there are again three days of government exams which must be passed in order to enter 10th grade.
In the Haitian secondary school system, 13th grade is the final year. More government exams are required at the end of 12th grade and then again at the end of 13th grade. Institution Univers is unique in that it offers computer courses beginning in 7th grade. The school also has a small lending library for its upper grade students, another rarity in Haiti.
The government mandated secondary curriculum is academically aggressive – college prep by U.S. standards. Latin is required 7th-9th grade. English and Spanish are required 7th-13th grade. All students study math and science. Trigonometry, beginning calculus, biology, chemistry, and physics are required for everyone.
The 7th-13th grade school day schedule runs 7:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. with a 45-minute lunch/recess break. Physical education classes are held once a week for each grade at 3:00-4:00. It’s not easy, but every Haitian student knows that it is a privilege to attend school. They know many children do not have the financial means to pay tuition and other school-related fees.
Academic Performance of I.U. Students
The success of Institution Univers is demonstrated by achievement of students, who excelled in June 2008 national required academic testing at certain grade levels. All 73 sixth grade pupils passed their examinations. All 96 ninth grade students passed their exams. And all of the 15 twelfth grade students passed their rigorous comprehensive exams. This is a great victory for the students, teachers and the parents of students who attend Institution Univers school, because it confirms the high quality education that the school provides. Typically, only about half the students in Haiti's public schools pass these national exams.
Student morale is high, and the following student quote sums it all up:
“I like the Univers Institute because it’s a quality school, a well-run school whose classrooms are airy and clean. And the Institute also has the best professors in Ouanaminthe. And, in a nutshell, it’s a school that encourages its students to work harder.”
Angelot Saint-Vil, 8th grade
What Makes Institution Univers a Christian School?
By: Dave Mann
“You all know that we are not a Catholic school; we are not a Protestant school; we are not a Baptist school. But we are most assuredly a Christian school,” Director Hugues Bastien emphasized in a recent staff meeting.
Univers from its inception has had its organizational DNA formed by a commitment to Christ. There are many ways in which this is evident.
Structurally, all employees and parents are made aware of Univers’ statement of faith, which states fundamental truths shared by all Christian churches based on the Bible.
The unambiguous Christian dedication of school administrators Hugues, Joe, and Jaccin is known by all in the community. Univers works hard to make sure that rules are enforced fairly and consistently in the classroom and among its staff. It is not uncommon to hear parents express words of appreciation for the fact that they know their children, particularly their girls, are safe when they are at Univers.
As part of the curriculum, all students have Bible class, in which they memorization of key Bible verses, learn key Bible stories, and understand the important teachings of the Christian faith. The primary students have daily Bible class led by the classroom teacher. The secondary students have a weekly Bible class; in addition, they have daily opening prayer and Bible reading led by students in each classroom.
Also, on a monthly basis the entire school (grade 1 through high school) gathers for worship. Most of the time, Hugues is the worship leader, with one of the teachers giving the sermon. But in recent months, students of the senior class have risen to the challenge of organizing and leading the all-student worship services. It has been inspiring to see how their fellow students have accorded them respect, shown by a deeper spirit of worship.
More than just in word, Univers is putting into action what it means to be followers of Christ.
