We endeavor to break the cycles of poverty by investing in the education of aspiring young leaders, innovators, and changemakers!
An initiative of U.S.-based nonprofit organization Visions Global Empowerment, in partnership with philanthropist Robert D. Friedman, Escuela Vera Angelita is a private, nonprofit boarding school for youth who hail from underserved & vulnerable communities. This modern school campus lies on a beautiful 455-acre property in the community of La Grecia in San Ramón, Matagalpa, Nicaragua.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to prepare Nicaraguan youth and young adults in leading independent, healthy, goal-driven, and meaningful lives and to develop their academic, personal and professional / vocational leadership abilities for active participation in the modern world and economy. Given the many development challenges so many young people face today, the country will always need bright, motivated and well-rounded scholars and professionals to move it forward and make a difference in their communities.
LEARNING PATHS
We are currently focused on secondary school education, offering Grades 10 & 11 with the intention of adding Grades 8-9 and 12 in subsequent years. We offer 3 course streams of a Technical Bachelors (Bachillerato Técnico) program, all of which are accredited through INATEC (National Technical Institute - Nicaragua) and MINED (Ministry of Education - Nicaragua), from which students must select one:
Tourism (Turismo)
Computer Science / Technology (Computación)
Agronomy (Agronomía)
We also offer technical certificate courses for young adults & adults to aid in their professional development. While this list will continually grow, current and past courses include the following:
Agronomy - Production of Organic Fertilizer and Biofertilizers (Elaboración de abono orgánico y biofertilizantes)
Tourism - Tourist Guiding Techniques through Urban & Natural Spaces (Técnicas de guiado de turistas)
Agronomy - Vegetable Cultivation (Cultivo de hortalizas)
Agronomy - Fruit Tree Cultivation (Cultivo de frutales)
Language - English A1 Breakthrough
OUR CURRICULUM
Prospective students who successfully demonstrate a passion and a capacity for learning, inherent leadership qualities, and a desire to make a positive impact on our world will receive an education with full room & board at no cost to them or their families. Our bilingual (Spanish / English) curriculum is focused on experiential learning with the intent of developing critical thinking abilities, while also nurturing student passions and developing the skills needed to understand and address important local and global issues. Apart from the technical coursework required for each stream, instruction will cover the following subjects:
Mathematics
Social Science (Geography, Economy, Sociology, Philosophy, etc.)
Science (Biology, Physics, Chemistry)
Language & Literature (Spanish)
Foreign Language (English)
Physical Education / Sports)
Leadership (“Growing in Values”, Environmental Awareness & Agency, Global Skills, General Culture, etc.)
Technology & Innovation
Arts (Visual Arts, Music, Dance, etc.)
ADMISSION
*PLEASE NOTE: student admission is based foremost on the requirement of financial need with program availability and a demonstrated track record of motivation being other key criteria. In addition to our open application for which anyone can self-apply, we work with local partners and communities to identify students who meet our criteria and conduct student testing & interviews.
Admissions for the upcoming academic year (2026) are currently OPEN. We plan to open admissions for the next academic year (2027) in August 2026.
OUR TEAM
Josseling Zeledon, Director of Operations
Amalia Castellano, Director of Wellbeing
TBC, Director of Academics
Dr. Ruth Hernandez, Doctor
Nereida Darce Cajina, School Counselor
Aaron Talavera, Academic Secretary
Xinia Fagoth Muller, Legal Representative
Angela Morgan, Legal Counsel
Rodolfo Indalecio - Teacher - Geography & Sociology
Hellen Ruiz - Teacher, Language & Literature
Milton Rivera, Teacher - Mathematics & Physics
Raquel Parejón, Teacher - Agronomy
María Gómez - Teacher, Technical Competencies
Henry Hernandez, Teacher - Technology
Itza Vallejos, Teacher - Physics & Mathematics
Denis Martinez, Teacher - Physical Education & Sports Coach
Areyson Quesada, Teacher - Tourism
Karla Castro, Teacher - English & Values
Isaac Centeno, Teacher - Biology, Chemistry, & Values
Ligia Castro, Teacher - Dance (*part-time)
Shaydel Brooks, Head of Security
Mercedes Arevalo, Eco-Resort Manager
Fabiola Orozco, Finance Director
Olvin Reyes, Head Chef
Pedro Antonio Centeno, Driver
Otoniel Rosales, Driver
Darwin Arceda, Security
Arling Miladie Orozco, Security
Iván Antonio Valle, Maintenance
Ricardo Pérez, Maintenance
Dalila López, Custodial Staff
Francisco Javier Ríos, Custodial Staff
Scarleth Herrera, Custodial Staff
Jacqueline Castro, Caretaker
Blanca Chavarría, Caretaker
Martha Hernández, Caretaker
Sandra Sobalvarro Luna, Caretaker
Silvia Karina Tórrez González, Caretaker
Daniel Torrez, Eco-Resort Guide
Joel Martinez Chavarria, Eco-Resort Server
Stanley, Eco-Resort Server
Cristian Lopez Hernandez, Eco-Resort Server
Fanny Mendoza Cruz, Eco-Resort Server
Marlon Reyes, Cook / Cheesemaker
Bilgar Hernandez, Landscape Manager
Larry Rugama Diaz, Maintenance Manager
Milagros Cordonero, Farm Manager
Daviana Gonzalez, Veterinary Consultant
Nuria Diaz Castro, Cook
Martina Diaz Maldonado, Cook
Johanna Morales, Cook
Francisca Valle Castro, Cook
Anabel Orozco Altamirano, Cook
Brenda Rugama Rios, Cook
FOUNDERS
Robert D. Friedman
Gregory Buie
Jeffrey Frieden