Building bridges: Fostering educational and vocational success

Colegio María Guadalupe, an independent school in Buenos Aires, Argentina, empowers economically vulnerable students with a comprehensive model that blends academic learning with professional development, transforming employment outcomes and fostering community success.

Established in 2012, the school educates 700 students from kindergarten through secondary education. The core of the school's mission is rooted in inclusivity and innovation, emphasising personalised, full-time education from the first grade and culminating in a Bachelor’s degree with specialisations in Administration, Environment, Programming, or Audiovisual Production.

The Labour Inclusion Programme is central to achieving seamless integration of education with employment opportunities. This initiative enhances students’ employability by equipping them with 21st-century skills and digital proficiency, supported by partnerships with local companies, NGOs, and families. Notably, the programme has led to a decrease in the rate of graduates who neither study nor work from 21% to 13% and an increase in those securing formal employment from 12% to 30% within two years.

The leadership at Colegio María Guadalupe, including Principal Luis Arocha and Institutional Development Director María Luz Diez, fosters a culture that embodies the school’s ethos of resilience and empowerment. The work and effort of the educational teams have significantly boosted the school's impact on community and student success, as seen in the stories of students like Lula, who overcame personal challenges to begin her Digital Business degree, and Enzo, who accessed his dream job at Volkswagen.

Additional activities include the Mentoring Programme and Vocational Inclusion Programme, each contributing significantly to personal growth and community development.

Should María de Guadalupe College win the World's Best School Prize for Community Collaboration, it plans to invest in technological advancements for its Labour Inclusion Programme, enhancing the quality and reach of its training initiatives and ensuring that more young people have the tools necessary for success in the digital age.