Colegio La Giralda

Fostering resilience and emotional wellbeing in a challenging environment

Colegio La Giralda, a state kindergarten through secondary school in Bogotá, Colombia, which is part of Alianza Educativa network, champions emotional wellbeing with its innovative Socio-Emotional Gymnasium, dramatically reducing conflicts and fostering
resilience in its 1,400 students amidst socio-economic issues. Set in the challenging neighbourhood of Las Cruces, in Bogotá, the school integrates physical activities with socio-emotional learning, providing a robust framework for students to develop critical life
skills and positive relationships.

Central to the school's mission is its innovative Socio-Emotional Gymnasium, a pioneering initiative within the educational sector. This strategy not only supports physical activity but integrates socio-emotional learning, helping students manage emotions, resolve conflicts, and enhance their mental health. Such initiatives have led to a 67% reduction in school coexistence issues and maintained dropout rates below 1%.

Leadership at Colegio La Giralda is deeply committed to transforming educational experiences by empowering students to become agents of change. This is evidenced by their proactive approach during the COVID-19 pandemic, which catalysed the creation of the
Socio-Emotional Gymnasium to address increased emotional distress and social isolation among students.

The school's efforts extend beyond immediate educational outcomes, influencing broader community engagement. Activities like art collectives and community forums further embed socio-emotional learning into cultural expressions, enhancing community cohesion and resilience.

Should Colegio La Giralda win the World’s Best School Prize for Supporting Healthy Lives, the prize money would be used to enrich the Socio-Emotional Gymnasiumfurther and host events to disseminate its successful practices, encouraging other schools to
adopt similar innovative approaches for promoting mental health and wellbeing.