Impact Story: Little Saints School, Guatemala
Located in the village of Piedra Parada Cristo Rey, Guatemala, the Little Saints* school opened its doors in January 1989 with the mission of providing private education where it was sorely needed. What started as a modest school with one teacher and ten students has grown into an institution offering pre-primary, primary, and secondary education. And through being part of the EduQuality, a program of Opportunity EduFinance, the school has continued to improve and thrive.
From Humble Beginnings to a Fully Established School
Little Saints* School's journey began with a simple but important goal: to create a space where children could access a quality education and have the opportunity to realize their potential. The founder, Antonieta García Hernández de Ordoñez, began by opening the school in a small corridor of her parents' house, with only one teacher and ten students. At the time, there were no private education options available in the village, and so the school was born out of a need.
By 1992, the school had grown enough to receive official authorization to build its own facilities. The founder and the community worked tirelessly to purchase land and construct classrooms, even taking out many loans to make the dream a reality. What began in a small home has grown into the Little Saints* School, now offering a full educational pathway from pre-primary to secondary education.
Joining EduQuality
As Little Saints* grew, the need for continuous improvement became clear. It wasn’t just about offering more classes; the school needed to focus on enhancing its teaching practices, leadership, and overall school development. Joining the EduQuality programme has made an enormous difference.
Through the EduQuality program, which provides valuable support to schools like Little Saints*, the school has gained access to resources that have helped transform its approach to education. The EduQuality program is designed to support schools in creating and implementing School Development Plans (SDP). These plans are tailored to address specific needs in the school’s growth, whether it’s improving leadership, refining teaching strategies, or enhancing infrastructure. The focus is on fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Antonieta García Hernández de Ordoñez, the school’s director, has played a vital role in integrating these changes into the school’s daily operations. The support from EduFinance has helped her to develop clear goals for the school’s future, empowering her to lead with confidence and guide the teaching staff toward improvement.
School Leadership Professional Development
One of the most significant ways Opportunity EduFinance has supported Little Saints* is through School Leadership Professional Development (SLPD) sessions. These sessions have provided Antonieta and the teaching staff with the knowledge and tools to improve their leadership skills and teaching practices. The focus on leadership development ensures that those at the helm of the school, such as teachers, administrators, and leaders, are equipped to create a nurturing and effective learning environment.
Thanks to EduFinance’s support, the school leadership team has had opportunities to attend specialized training, which has allowed them to refine their strategies for managing classrooms and guiding students through a successful learning journey. These sessions have focused on everything from classroom management to budgeting, and student engagement, ensuring that teachers can implement the most effective teaching methods possible.
Cluster Groups
Another aspect of the EduQuality program that has had a major impact on the school is the support of a cluster group. On joining the EduQuality program, schools are assigned a ‘cluster’ group, which provides a school support system. A cluster group through EduQuality offers 4-12 growing institutions a network to ask questions and propose solutions.
For Little Saints*, these cluster meetings have been an invaluable resource for gaining fresh perspectives on education and learning from other schools facing similar challenges. The ability to collaborate with other educators and school leaders has not only improved teaching practices at Little Saints* but has also fostered a sense of community among educators in the region. This support network is essential for continuous development and for making sure that the school is staying on track with its improvement goals.
Mentoring Teachers
Mentorship has also been a cornerstone of the support provided by Opportunity EduFinance. ThroughEduQuality’s Teacher Mentor Professional Development (TMPD) sessions, experienced teachers offer guidance to their colleagues, helping them refine their teaching techniques, classroom management, and student engagement strategies. This mentorship approach has been incredibly beneficial to Little Saints*, where teachers are encouraged to learn from one another and grow together.
The mentorship process has allowed for direct observation and feedback, providing teachers with actionable steps to improve their classroom practices. It’s a hands-on approach to professional development, and its impact has been felt by both teachers and students. Teachers are more confident in their roles, and students are seeing the benefits in the form of improved learning experiences.
Growth Despite Challenges
Over the years, Little Saints* has faced various challenges, from increasing competition with other schools to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a significant drop in enrolment. The school once served 120 students, but today it serves 64. While the enrolment numbers are lower, the commitment to providing a high-quality education remains as strong as ever.
In this difficult time, the support from Opportunity EduFinance has been crucial. The EduQuality program’s focus on school development planning has given the school leadership the tools to adapt and refine strategies in response to these challenges. By focusing on the long-term vision of providing a nurturing and effective educational environment, the school has continued to push forward, adapting to new realities while maintaining its core value of providing quality education.
“Within the institution, we use pillars focused on taking care of our environment, family, and good coexistence”.
Looking Ahead
The partnership with Opportunity EduFinance has been instrumental in the school’s continued growth and success. It has provided the school with the necessary resources, guidance, and professional development to create a more effective learning environment, even in the face of challenges. With this continued support, the school is poised to continue fulfilling their mission and making a lasting impact on its students and the surrounding community.
DESCARGAR LA HISTORIA DE IMPACTO