Classes started on a high note this month at Colegio San Viator in Bogotá. Not only
First day of classes at Colegio San Viator
did students arrive back at school to find more renovations — including the completion of the arts wing and two new classrooms, as well as additions to the main dining hall and preschool — they learned San Viator has been tapped to mentor a struggling public school in Bogotá.
San Viator already is recognized as one of the top 100 schools in Colombia, but now officials with the National Education Ministry have invited the colegio to be part of the “Alianza 10” project.
The door to the new preschool caferia
“It focuses on helping public schools with low academic and administrative performance,” says Principal Carlos Trebilcock. “We will sponsor one school in order to support its teachers and administrative staff in creating a sustainable future.”
Alliance 10 invitation
In 2013, San Viator joined only eight schools in all of Colombia to be recognized as a school of excellence, by the European Foundation for Quality Management. Foundation officials commended the school for having achieved sustainable excellence and for advancing best practices.
100 teachers from seven countries attended a workshop given by the International Baccalaureate Program
Now, San Viator is working towards full accreditation as an International Baccalaureate School. Officials with IB program held workshops at the colegio in January — aimed at teaching how to implement the programming in the school — that drew 100 teachers, including those from Chile, Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, Costa Rica and Mexico.
The colegio hopes to earn official authorization of its Primary Years Program in March, while continuing to pursue recognition of its Middle Years and Diploma programs.
Br. William Pardo, CSV, director of the Diploma Program in his office
“The International Baccalaureate is recognized worldwide because of its high quality programs and rigorous assessment methods,” says Diego Cordoba, director of the Primary Years Program. “We share the IB mission of aiming to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.”