OUR SCHOOL
NUESTRA ESCUELA
UNA ESCUELA, UNA FAMILIA
a school, and a family
Our mission is to provide a quality education in a Christian environment to Guatemalan children from under resourced areas, specifically those living near the Agua Viva School. Our goal is to help these students become all that God wants them to be.
NUESTRA COMUNIDAD
our community
Colonia Puerto Rico was originally a refugee camp founded after the 1976 earthquake that devastated the country. Families eventually started settling into the area and it has developed into a small agricultural community of about 5,000. Most of our community still lives at or below the poverty level and our prayer is that by helping provide a Christian education to the children here we can help change the cycle of poverty in their families and our community.
NUESTROS ESTUDIANTES
our students
In Guatemala, students are only required by law to have a 6th-grade education. There are very few middle or high schools outside of the large towns and less than 25% of students make it to high school. The government has been working hard to improve education here, but as more children are going to school the need for higher education has grown as well. We work hard to make sure our students are well prepared to get into any high school or technical training program after they graduate.
NUESTRA HISTORIA
our school’s history
2000 | Our school was established to serve the needs of the children of Agua Viva Children’s Home. Classes were held at the home, using whatever space was available. At that time, we had a total of 59 students from kindergarten through sixth grade enrolled.
2005 | Construction began on our current school building which had room for 10 classrooms, a library, teachers’ room and an administrative office.
2006 | We opened our doors and dedicated the school, immediately reaching out to the children from the surrounding community.
2009 | We opened our Middle School to provide 7th-9th grade education to our community as well as several of the surrounding communities that do not have access to middle school education levels.
2013 | We added on three more classrooms, a basketball court and two offices.
2014 | We opened the chemistry lab for our middle school students. A lab like ours is rare even in most high schools and is a huge addition to our school.
NUESTRO CONTEXTO
our context
Graduation Rates of school aged children in Guatemala:
- 82% | Graduate from Elementary School
- 38% | Graduate from Middle School
- 22% | Graduate from High School
- *Rates are even lower in rural areas.
Guatemala only requires education through 6th grade.
Many Guatemalan children are pulled from school because they must work to support their families— usually on the streets, in the fields, or in factories.
65% of families in Chimaltenango live in poverty and 15% live in extreme poverty, which means surviving on less than $1.50 per day.
HAZ RECUERDOS CON NOSOTROS
make memories with us
HISTORIAS ESCOLARES
school stories
Teaching with Purpose
Teaching with Purpose When Yanira first learned of the job posting for a teaching position at Agua Viva, she sensed that God might be leading her to this place. A mother of two
From Fear to Confidence
From Fear to Confidence When Guadalupe joined the Early Childhood Education program at Agua Viva, she knew she would face one of her biggest apprehensions: public speaking. Being a teacher requires standing in
Exploring Science and the Gospel
Science and the Gospel In Guatemala, it’s uncommon for schools to organize science fairs, but at Agua Viva, year after year we’ve given our students the opportunity to explore the world of science,
