How Do You Choose the Students?

It’s one of the most common questions we hear — “How do you choose the students for your school?”

It’s also one of the hardest to answer.

At Colegio JET in Guatemala, choosing students isn’t just about filling seats in a classroom. It’s about finding families who share our belief that education can change lives — families who are ready to partner with us to break the cycle of poverty and build a brighter future for their children.

Our student selection process takes months, because every child’s story matters deeply.

Step 1: The Application Process

Each August, our new student application process begins. Applications are distributed throughout our community and among current students.

Once all applications are submitted, a committee of five Guatemalan team members reads through every single one. From there, they identify students who meet the basic requirements for the next step.

This stage is the foundation of our process — handled carefully, prayerfully, and with compassion.

Step 2: Visiting the Family Home

Next, our team visits each applicant’s home. These visits are often the most eye-opening part of the process.

We sit down with families, listen to their stories, and ask questions to better understand their situation. We want to know more than financial details — we want to understand their heart for education, their hopes, and their challenges.

After all the visits, the committee meets again to decide which students will move forward.

Step 3: The Parent Interview

Families selected after the home visits are invited to a formal interview at the school.

This is when we clearly explain the mission of Colegio JET — to meet the physical, academic, and spiritual needs of each child. We emphasize that our commitment is long-term: we want to see every student complete high school and graduate prepared for a better future.

Parents are encouraged to ask questions and take time to understand what’s expected of both them and their children.

Step 4: Signing the Contract

The final step is a contract, signed by the parents. This contract represents a mutual commitment — not just permission to attend the school, but a partnership built on shared responsibility and trust.

Expectations for Students and Parents

Our expectations are clear and straightforward:

• Attendance: Parents ensure their children attend school daily (a maximum of eight absences per year).
• Health: Students can access our medical clinic for any health concerns.
• Behavior: Older students must set a positive example both in and out of the classroom.
• Parental Role: Families are responsible for transportation, jeans, shoes, and PE uniforms.

If a family can’t afford these items, we provide work opportunities — for example, two days of work pays for one month of transportation. This helps foster dignity, ownership, and gratitude rather than dependency.

What We’ve Learned: Valuing Education Above All

In the past, we often heard:

“I met a family who really needs help with money.”

But over the years, we’ve learned to ask a different question:

“Do the parents value education?”

We’ve discovered that valuing education is the true foundation for change. Financial need can be met — but without the desire to learn, long-term transformation is impossible.

Our mission is to help children dream big, work hard, and break the cycle of poverty through education and faith.

The Heart Behind Every Decision

Our selection process takes months because it’s deeply personal.

We talk about every child.
We pray about every child.
And we love every child.

At Colegio JET, we don’t just choose students — we choose families who share our hope that education and Jesus can transform lives and communities across Guatemala.