The New School La Barra: innovative education, nature and whole-child development

The New School offers innovative education with an emotional focus, art, sport, nature and bilingualism in La Barra.

Una vista aérea que muestra a The New School integrada al paisaje natural que la rodea.
Una vista aérea que muestra a The New School integrada al paisaje natural que la rodea.

The New School: an educational proposal committed to well-being, nature and whole-child development

The general coordinator of The New School, Fernanda Ferreiro, an English teacher with a degree in Philosophy and more than 25 years of experience, detailed the vision of the school, which opened in 2022 five minutes from the La Barra bridge.

A shift in educational paradigm

The New School is grounded in constructivism: the student is the protagonist and the teacher acts as a mediator. The proposal combines art, sport, bilingualism, contact with nature and a Montessori experience adapted to the project.

“We consider a change of paradigm urgent for these 21st-century kids,”explained Fernanda Ferreiro, General Coordinator.

Fernanda Ferreiro, Coordinadora General, Colegio The New School.
Fernanda Ferreiro, General Coordinator, The New School.

“If we support and look after them, this generation can change the world, and for the better.”

center top no-repeat
Colegio The New School, La Barra.
With ample play and outdoor areas, The New School promotes educational experiences that go beyond the classroom.
Enmarcada por campos y naturaleza, The New School se destaca como un referente educativo integrado a su entorno.
Through jiu-jitsu, students develop confidence, respect and a deep sense of personal growth.” Fernanda Ferreiro

Art, ecology and English

The school emphasizes artistic development as a tool for sensitivity and critical thinking, along with an ecological approach that seeks to foster environmental awareness from an early age. Bilingualism in English is built in as a key skill for future academic and professional life.

Movement, discipline and self-esteem

Among the sports disciplines the school offers, Jiu-Jitsu stands out for its impact on inner discipline and self-esteem. Ferreiro describes students who improved their self-control and went on to compete in national and international tournaments.

From nursery to secondary school

The New School serves children from 12 months up to the 3rd year of Liceo (secondary school), which is scheduled to open in 2026. The educational continuity responds to following cohorts that began school at an early age and are now going through adolescence.

Screen policy and school life

The school keeps screen use minimal and responsible: screens are used for specific projects and video calls with specialists, but they are not a daily presence among students.

“At this school you will not see a single teenager with a phone. We believe they must first develop judgment, confidence and social skills,” said Ferreiro.

A diverse community

The school is home to families from more than 23 nationalities and combines local and foreign profiles looking for a less traditional education. Although not all parents adapt to the approach (especially those who expect numerical grades or constant homework), the community stands out for its commitment to the whole-child development of the children.

Fernanda Ferreiro closes the story with a call for adult responsibility: “Let’s put in a little more love and positive attitude. If we support them, I am convinced that this generation can change the world, and for the better.”

El predio ubicado sobre el Camino del Cerro Eguzquiza donde se construirá la nueva sede del colegio.

New campus in Puerto Quetzal

The New School is moving ahead with a growth plan, acquiring a three-hectare site in the Puerto Quetzal, where it will develop a new campus in three stages. According to Fernanda Ferreiro, head of the institution, works will begin in 2026 with construction of the structure for the secondary school, with the goal of starting the school year on the new campus in 2027. The project includes a covered gym, an open-air amphitheater, a vegetable garden, a canteen and a workspace designed for mothers and fathers during school hours. The original site of The New School will be kept for activities such as camps and accommodation for visiting youth sports delegations. “The spirit of The New School is intact; this new space lets us grow, welcome more children and, together with our teaching team, strengthen the development of those who choose our educational proposal,”said Ferreiro. – Those who want more information or to arrange a visit to The New School can contact the institution through its official channels.

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