“We are in a community on the coast of Santa Cruz, a humble, beautiful community, this institution and this project is different, it is a project in which I have learned that we should not see the student only by his grades, by his results but that there is a whole person behind each of the children who are with us in the classrooms. There is always something behind them that allows us to better understand and comprehend. I always treasure the fact that we have this job because I really care about them. This is a project where money is not a priority. I remember that I was always told, enroll the first ones who come, regardless of economic status, regardless of social status, and regardless of academic background. I am a great believer that being a teacher only for the model students is very simple, the challenge is in the children who have greater difficulties to learn, difficulties in their families and their homes, those that have a more complex social context and it is there where your job is reflected.”

“I’m doing very well. The classmates are excellent people, the teachers are very supportive. They help us to move forward in various areas, in music, oratory and in all areas you can shine. The truth is that I have done very well because integrity is very important: respect for teachers, for colleagues, avoiding discrimination against others for any fault they may have done. That is very good because we get along very well. I really like music and oratory. I have learned that nobody can stop what I believe and I know that I am a person who can stand up in any area because I now have all the skills to do so. I’ve learned to focus on one thing, give my best, and not settle for a minimum grade – but to always surpass myself. This is one of the few schools where they teach the importance of values but is also very good academically.”

“A lot of memories come to mind. I’ve been here for four years, since 8th grade.You always have a good time on trips, in school, you always have fun, being in and out of school. I felt well prepared for the exams in all subjects. At sports, they have always supported me. When I go to other countries, some people ask me how I am doing with the school. I tell them I am doing well because my teachers help me through the internet! I am always up to date when I arrive to take my exams, but they have always supported me in my competitions when I have to leave the country. The truth is that they do everything possible to help. When I came here I was lazy, I didn’t want to do anything. But now, the school and the sports complement each other to help me improve as a person overall. Here, they teach you to want to do homework and to work with your classmates, so we can all be like a family – and that’s what everyone ends up being.”

“What I liked most was to see the evolution of many boys and girls in their personal development, logically including the academic. The ideology we have is academic excellence, and we are not only talking about grades of 90 or 100 – but also about going beyond the ordinary, from the classrooms. We always demand a little more in the academic and personal areas, trying also to bring forth values from our subject. In my case, English, values, tolerance, respect, and responsibility. It has given me great satisfaction to see their parents happy with their children’s grades and to see their evolution in all aspects of their lives.”

“I’ve been in this school since 8th grade and I can say it’s beautiful because you learn values. You learn to make friends and to have a friendship with the teachers like you don’t have in other schools because here you joke with them, you have fun with them. But the moment you are inside the classroom, they are different, they have to be strict. Outside the classroom, you can sit down and talk with them. I like the study method they have. Here they ask you for more because they know you are capable of getting good grades and not being mediocre. That’s what I like best, plus the recreational activities they have. For example, they teach you to paint, they give you the space to paint, and they take you on trips. Those are my favorite things. One of my teachers has invited me to participate in the English Festival and the Art Festival because he knows that I can do it very well. Colegio Vittorino is the best, this was one of my mom’s first choices. After you enter and meet the teachers and classmates, you are fascinated, you love the school because it is good in every way.”