La Puerta Abierta School
La Puerta Abierta opened in 2007 and over the past decade has grown into a true learning center, one that hosts both library and primary education programs.
The project began with one part time librarian, a few tables and chairs and a large collection of books. A sign was hung from the roof of the building and not long after, children began to flow into the center. How could we begin to create a culture of reading in Santiago Atitlan?
Throughout the past decade, La Puerta Abierta has launched and maintained a variety of projects to inspire the children of Santiago Atitlan to connect with reading including The Traveling Library, Saturday morning story hours, Mommy and Me Classes, radio readings and a teen reading circle
In 2010 La Puerta Abierta expanded to include a progressive preschool and elementary school that provides an inviting, stimulating, and nurturing educational environment for our young learners. We follow a creative curriculum which embraces art and exploration.
Our staff of one dedicated librarian has evolved into a team of 15 talented and innovative teachers who continue to establish our center. La Puerta Abierta is now housed in a simple yet aesthetic two-room building with large windows and ample sunlight on the outskirts of town.
To meet the growing needs of our students, we recently expanded and built 4 new outdoor classrooms with no walls or windows.
We have an outdoor play garden that welcomes children to jump, run and imagine.
In addition, we visit ten schools in the Traveling Library Program, accommodate two groups of young children in our Mommy and Me Classes on weekends, offer afterschool enrichment classes, and host a teen reading circles.
