BLACK GOLD
1973
Centro Educativo
Las Morochas
Venezuela
Jimmy Hollowell, Photography
Over 40 years ago, with the development of the oil industry in the Maracaibo Lake, region of Venezuela, a need arose to provide an education for expatriate children. Thus, Centro Educativo Las Morochas came into being.
Starting out with just a handful of students, CELM evolved into a school of over 100 students and was known as one of the top American-International schools in South America. Shareholders of the school were, and continue to be, multi-national companies in the oil-related industries.
A change in the economic climate during the late nineties discouraged many of the multi-national companies so they left the area and the school population started to decline. At present, we have approximately 60 students enrolled from our Early Childhood Education program through Upper School.
 DIRECTOR Carolyn Talbott Gary Indiana B.B.A., University of Michigan |
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 Mary K. Ulch Principal Grade Kindergarten–4 Levels 1-4 St. Paul, Minnesota B.S., Austin State University M.A., Austin State University |
 Eileen B. Foley Principal Grades 5-9 Mathematics Nahant, Massachusetts B.A., University of Michigan |
Recently as the petroleum industry has turned the corner and business conditions have improved which has led directly to an increase in enrollment due to the fact that companies will have to bring in more expatriate workers and their families. Currently, the student population at Centro Educativo Las Morochas is at a 7 year high, with more students expected in the very near future.
Centro Educativo Las Morochas is a modern air-conditioned facility that, in the future, could once again enroll over 100 students. Presently, there is ample classroom space for all of our students. In addition to the main school building, our facilities include a library, computer lab, basketball court, tennis court, and a soccer/baseball field.
The curriculum is North American, the medium of instruction is English, and the student/teacher ratio is 5.7/1. CELM is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). We have recently completed the next generation of Accreditation with our 2006 SACS school improvement plan, which resulted in a visit from educational experts from around the world, and resulted in renewed U.S. certification for the next five years.
Ciudad Ojeda is located one hour south of Maracaibo, Venezuela’s second largest city. Although we are surrounded by oil fields and wells we enjoy a basic existence. You will belong to a modest swim and tennis club; there are several nice restaurants, adequate shopping close at hand, two fitness gyms, and high-quality housing with central air conditioning.
On long weekends and vacations there is a diversity of environments to explore. Picturesque Caribbean beaches, the mountains of the Andes, and rain forests are all within driving distance.