In 2009, Erin Defossé, a tech innovator and former NASA rocket scientist, founded Magellan International School inspired by his transformative education at the American Foundation School in Mexico City. “Put simply, my school stood up for me,” Erin recalls, reflecting on the support that helped him achieve his dream of working at NASA, contributing to iconic missions like Galileo and Cassini.
Erin envisioned Magellan as a place for his children to grow as multilingual global citizens. “Empathy is a superpower,” he says, emphasizing the importance of understanding diverse perspectives. Starting with just 47 preschoolers, Magellan has grown into a thriving bilingual International Baccalaureate (IB) school serving more than 600 students from preschool through 9th grade, now welcoming non-Spanish speakers starting in 6th grade.
Magellan’s mission extends beyond academics, emphasizing character development by fostering empathy, collaboration, and a commitment to making the world a better place. With educators from 17 countries, the school’s Spanish immersion and IB programs empower students with critical thinking abilities, cultural understanding, and strong communication skills.
At Magellan, students are supported in pursuing their passions, ensuring they have the confidence and resources to explore their interests and achieve their dreams, including attending prestigious universities like Stanford, Duke, and UT Austin.
Marking its 15th anniversary, Magellan celebrated with a student photo in the shape of “15,” designed by 8th-grade math students. The school also looks forward to opening a new, state-of-the-art preschool facility and growing to 675 students across two campuses.
Magellan continues to inspire curiosity, foster creativity, and nurture globally-minded citizens, proving that when dreams are supported, they become reality. Here's to the next 15 years!
