From Gazelles and cherry blossoms to Rheavens- it is safe to say that our school has gone through different eras. But that’s what makes it so exciting, the halls we go through every day are not just filled with the sounds of the girls that are studying right now, they are also filled with the lingering laughter of past proms, the ever-lingering memories and plans to make this school even better. This past February 7th our school, La Floresta, has celebrated its 48th anniversary, and what better way to celebrate it than with a trip down memory lane.  

In 1978, Pope John Paul II was elected, “Saturday Night Fever” was blasting from every radio and Argentina had won its first world cup, but most importantly, in El Salvador a bunch of families -(Mayora, Lopez, Siman, Valiente, Vela, among others…) -were beginning a project for their children’s education, that would end up becoming one of the most prestigious educational institutions of El Salvador“We met on Saturdays with the Mayora and López children to make lists of potential parents to invite...”-Tere de López, Co-founder. Teachers that see us girls entering their class room were the same girls who once wore the La Floresta uniform proudly. 

La Floresta, Instagram post, February 25, 2021 

As a student I can say that I’m very grateful to be a part of this community, who has not only taught me everything I know, but has given me a second family. These walls and uniforms have seen us grow up into brilliant women, and we´ve had the pleasure to grow alongside them - from the Casona del Bulevar de los Héroes where it all started, to the place it is today. “I fell in love with the school from the first day I arrived. I’ve grown as a person, thanks to the training courses (...) We’ve seen people grow- not just students, but teachers too” said by Marta Lima, a teacher who has been at this for over # years.  

Whether you asked a first-grade student, who is beginning her journey in this school, a Senior who is crossing the stage for the last time, or an alumni who graduated 15 years ago if they could change their school, the answer would always be no, because pride for this school becomes a quintessential part of you, no matter your age, grade, or graduation year. That’s what makes La Floresta so special, because even when you’ve entered a new chapter, you know you will always be able to come back to this one. Because this school is more than just bricks. There´s getting in line before homeroom period, Christmas music in the winter mornings, black polished shoes with white socks that cover your ankles, marching for a whole week on September with a high ponytail and racing for donations on December, but most important of all, being at La Floresta means being a part of a sisterhood, where students from all ages with nothing in common – not even classes – can become friends and support each other.   

There is no other place I would want to graduate from, it is an honor to be able to say, “I am a La Floresta student”, because you don’t stop being part of it after you get handed your diploma-  you will always be a part of this community, that has seen us in our good and bad days. That’s why the school is composed not just by students, but by teachers who continue to motivate us to grow and learn as people, “I know what a big difference it makes to have a teacher who motivates and challenges you, so I loved the thought that I could come back here and do that.” - Carolina Iglesias, Alumni and Teacher at La Floresta. Thank you to the families who had a dream to improve their children’s education, because in doing so, they improved ours.  

To this day, there´s been many changes since the beginning. facilities, uniforms, even staff! But there is one thing that´s remained constant, and that is the core values this school´s been built on. Tere de López, Co-founder of La Floresta, stated: “(…) we had two goals that sometimes seemed unattainable: to be bilingual and to have our own suitable facilities. It seemed far off, but we saw it as a necessity, so we had to dream, pray, (…). Today, in 2026, both goals are a wonderful reality: impressive facilities and several generations of graduates who are fully bilingual and have earned the International Baccalaureate (IB). So many dreams have come true.”  

Ultimately, we continue to grow and become an even greater institution “I hope that after me, many more can come and continue supporting this adventure.” – Merce de Fabregat, Alumni, APCE vice-president.  

I guess the only thing that's left to say is, happy Birthday dear school, it has, is and always will be an honor to be a part of you.  

La Floresta, Instagram post, April 27, 2023