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

 
 

Investing in our collective future…