Colegio Valle de Filadelfia

Unlocking every child's potential with the Philadelphia Method

Colegio Valle de Filadelfia, an independent kindergarten through secondary school in Aguascalientes, Mexico, pioneers enriching educational experiences that tap into the vast potential of every child. Established in 2004, the school educates 165 students, aiming to address the educational disparities and lack of early reading proficiency in the region. Its model has been replicated in several cities across Mexico and Latin America, currently reaching almost 1,000 students.

The school's motivation stems from a commitment to transform traditional education through the unique "Philadelphia Method", which revolutionises early education with dynamic pedagogies and an ambitious curriculum. The "Philadelphia Method" integrates early reading, physical excellence, arts, music, languages, culture, and global citizenship into its curriculum. By teaching children to read from nursery school using an innovative approach that emphasises comprehension and vocabulary over rote memorisation, the method ensures students become fluent readers by kindergarten, significantly enhancing academic performance. In national tests, 31% of their students rank "outstanding" in Maths and 25% in Reading, compared to national averages of 11% and 6%, respectively.

Founder Elisa Guerra and Principal Sonia Barquin have garnered international recognition for their efforts, including features in global media and prestigious awards like the title of “Best Educator in Latin America” by the Inter-American Development Bank.

Colegio Valle de Filadelfia's holistic approach includes a flipped-classroom programme and extensive community engagement, particularly with vulnerable families, to mitigate educational disparities. The school promotes comprehensive development through activities ranging from triathlons to violin concerts, ensuring students excel both academically and extracurricularly.

Success stories include students gaining admission to top high schools and excelling academically. Esteemed institutions like Tecnológico de Monterrey recognise their graduates for their critical thinking skills and academic excellence. The school’s collaboration with educational publishers, such as Pearson, has resulted in widely used textbooks that support innovative teaching methods.

Should Colegio Valle de Filadelfia win the World's Best School Prize for Innovation, it plans to invest in technological upgrades and enhance teacher training, further empowering its transformative educational approach.