Obtaining accreditation for the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) is not a mere procedure; it is a process of educational transformation. It involves reviewing classroom practices, strengthening teacher training, aligning the educational project with international standards of excellence, and demonstrating, through concrete evidence, that student learning is at the centre of every institutional decision.

SEK International School Guatemala has completed this journey and, in March 2026, was officially accredited as a PYP School, becoming the first school in Guatemala to achieve this distinction. This milestone reinforces the pioneering commitment of the SEK International Institution to the International Baccalaureate. With more than 130 years of history, SEK has established itself as a benchmark in holistic education and academic excellence, with a presence in 17 countries and 26 schools worldwide. SEK Guatemala has been part of this global network since 2000, and this accreditation represents a decisive step in its educational development.

A rigorous process, step by step

The journey began in 2024, when the institution formally launched its PYP candidacy. During this stage, the entire teaching staff participated in training processes alongside the International Baccalaureate team, strengthening pedagogical practices and aligning the educational model with the programme standards.

The implementation phase then followed: a period of institutional preparation in which the school systematically fulfilled each requirement established by the organisation.

In 2025, International Baccalaureate representatives visited the school to conduct on-site observations and evaluations, verifying the practical implementation of the programme in classrooms and compliance with academic standards. In January 2026, the official verification visit took place, marking the final step before definitive accreditation.

An achievement for the entire educational community

This accreditation is not only an institutional recognition: it is the result of the sustained commitment of teachers, families, leadership teams and students to quality education focused on the holistic development of each individual and the cultivation of a genuine international mindset.

SEK International School Guatemala thus reaffirms its place within a pioneering global educational network and its commitment to providing Guatemalan students with a rigorous, innovative and globally minded education from the earliest years of schooling.

Laura Gómez 
SEK Assistant director of marketing