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The St. Maarten Academy is an independent Secondary School located on the Island of St. Maarten, Dutch West Indies.

School Profile

Committed to Excellence

St. Maarten Academy introduced its vocational sector in October 1999, referred to as St. Maarten Academy BVO (Beroeps Voorbereidend Onderwijs). In 2002, the school underwent an educational reform and was renamed St. Maarten Academy Preparatory Secondary Vocational Education (P.S.V.E.). In honor of FAVE’s 50th anniversary, St. Maarten Academy VBC underwent a significant transformation. On October 25th, 2024, we renamed our school to St. Maarten Academy Vocational Business Campus (VBC). To commemorate this milestone, we hosted a formal ceremony during which our Form 3 and Form 4 students in the Administration and Commerce sector program applied the business skills they had learned from their dedicated teachers.

The modifications were designed to assist students in adapting academically, socially, economically, culturally, and politically, thereby preparing them for integration into society. The institution is dedicated to equipping students with the necessary skills and knowledge for success in the real world. The Basic Secondary Education Program (BSE or BAVO) is provided to students during their first two years, encompassing a comprehensive curriculum that includes 14 subjects.

After BSE, students move on to VBC or VSBO in Form 3 for a two-year program and take an external examination (ETE - Expertisecentrum voor Toetsen & Examens) at the end of Form 4. The vocational sector focuses on the "Administration and Commerce" sector program within the Economy sector program. Students can choose between two streams: Praktische Basisgerichte Leerweg (PBL) or Practical Basic Level (PBL) and Praktische Kadergerichte Leerweg (PKL) or Practical Oriented Learning Path (PKL). The Academy's vocational education aims to equip students with the skills and competencies required for the current job market.

How does VMBO/VSBO operate?

Preparatory secondary vocational education (VMBO) spans four years and includes three distinct learning paths. These pathways vary in terms of the level of education and the balance between vocational and theoretical instruction. In the Netherlands, VMBO serves as a preparatory stage for students to enter an MBO course, although some students may transition to HAVO after completing VMBO.

Curacao and St. Maarten also offer three pathways within pre-vocational secondary education:

  • (VMBO-T/VSBO-TKL): Theoretical Framework-Oriented Learning Path

  • (VMBO/VSBO-PKL): Practical Oriented Learning Path

  • (VMBO/VSBO-PBL): Basic Vocational Learning Pathway

St. Maarten Academy VBC is committed to the successful introduction of an English-translated stream for Theoretisch Kadergerichte Leerweg (T.K.L) examinations. This initiative will encompass subjects within the sector of Administration and Commerce with concentrated Entrepreneurship skills. In addition, we are aiming to introduce the Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) in Crop Production.  

Our School’s Philosophy

 

Inspiring Excellence: We Create Achieve Respect Excel

Vision Statement

The foundation for Academic and Vocational Education (FAVE) provide and inspire a caring and stimulating learning environment where students of varying abilities (PBL, PKL, & TKL) thrive and excel vocationally and academically, socially, cooperationally and individually, seeking to maximize their learning potential to meet the challenges and expectations of tertiary and higher education and/or the workforce.

Mission Statement

 

The mission of the St. Maarten Academy VBC is to empower and equip each student with a foundation in academic, technical, and life skills necessary to become a productive,  contributing member of society.

Theme: 2024-2026

"Dream Big, Start Small, & Pay It Forward”

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The theme "Dream Big, Start Small, and Pay it Forward" encourages individuals to aspire to greatness while recognizing that success is achieved through small, incremental steps. Starting small allows people to build up the skills and knowledge needed to achieve their goals while ensuring they don't become overwhelmed or discouraged by the magnitude/greatness of their dreams.

Paying it forward is another key aspect of this theme. It means that individuals who have achieved success should use their resources and knowledge to help others achieve their own goals. By doing so, they help others succeed and create a positive cycle of giving and support that benefits everyone involved.

Overall, the theme "Dream Big, Start Small, and Pay it Forward" is a powerful reminder that success is not achieved overnight and that the greatest accomplishments are often the result of perseverance, hard work, and a willingness to help others.

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