Colegio San Carlos
Encyclopedia
Colegio San Carlos is an all-male, private, bilingual (English and Spanish) school in Bogotá
, Colombia
. The school has been recognized as the source of many national leaders.
The school works under the auspice of the Benedictine
Monasterio de Tibati. It enrolls 1,400 students in grades Transition through 11th grade which is equivalent to 1st through 12th grades or a combined Primary and Secondary education in the United States
The school's motto, Ora et Labora (Pray and Work), is based on the teachings of Saint Benedict
.
, Colombia
. The Abbot invited him to the Abbey in order to present this proposal to the monastic community. He went there, and the monks speedily agreed to accept the task. The monks Lawrence Wagner, Frederic Mundt, Anselm Ruelle and Adrian Mundt were sent to Puerto Rico
in June to learn Spanish. They arrived to Bogotá on August 6, 1960, the same day the city was celebrating its date of foundation (it was founded in 1538). Immediately the monks began preparations to start a school. The school opened its doors in the 4th of February 1961. Since the 1960s the school has been educating future scientists, doctors, lawyers, engineers, and many others to be leaders in their professions and their communities.
The school is equipped with 5 full sized soccer fields, 8 outdoor basketball courts, 5 outdoor volleyball courts, a 400m outdoor track and a multi-purpose indoor gym used for basketball and volleyball competitions. In Soccer, Basketball and Volleyball, the school has won in its history over more than 250 titles making it the most successful in the UNCOLI history.
The school has not adopted any international teaching system such as AP or IB. All graduating students must take the ICFES standardized exam. Students wishing to study abroad are encouraged to sit for standardized tests such as the SAT or the ACT.
Bogotá
Bogotá, Distrito Capital , from 1991 to 2000 called Santa Fé de Bogotá, is the capital, and largest city, of Colombia. It is also designated by the national constitution as the capital of the department of Cundinamarca, even though the city of Bogotá now comprises an independent Capital district...
, Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
. The school has been recognized as the source of many national leaders.
The school works under the auspice of the Benedictine
Benedictine
Benedictine refers to the spirituality and consecrated life in accordance with the Rule of St Benedict, written by Benedict of Nursia in the sixth century for the cenobitic communities he founded in central Italy. The most notable of these is Monte Cassino, the first monastery founded by Benedict...
Monasterio de Tibati. It enrolls 1,400 students in grades Transition through 11th grade which is equivalent to 1st through 12th grades or a combined Primary and Secondary education in the United States
Secondary education in the United States
In most jurisdictions, secondary education in the United States refers to the last six or seven years of statutory formal education. Secondary education is generally split between junior high school or middle school, usually beginning with sixth or seventh grade , and high school, beginning with...
The school's motto, Ora et Labora (Pray and Work), is based on the teachings of Saint Benedict
Benedict of Nursia
Saint Benedict of Nursia is a Christian saint, honored by the Roman Catholic Church as the patron saint of Europe and students.Benedict founded twelve communities for monks at Subiaco, about to the east of Rome, before moving to Monte Cassino in the mountains of southern Italy. There is no...
.
History
In April 1960, Abbot Ignatius Hunkler received an invitation from Archbishop Luis Concha Córdoba to establish a boys school in BogotáBogotá
Bogotá, Distrito Capital , from 1991 to 2000 called Santa Fé de Bogotá, is the capital, and largest city, of Colombia. It is also designated by the national constitution as the capital of the department of Cundinamarca, even though the city of Bogotá now comprises an independent Capital district...
, Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
. The Abbot invited him to the Abbey in order to present this proposal to the monastic community. He went there, and the monks speedily agreed to accept the task. The monks Lawrence Wagner, Frederic Mundt, Anselm Ruelle and Adrian Mundt were sent to Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
in June to learn Spanish. They arrived to Bogotá on August 6, 1960, the same day the city was celebrating its date of foundation (it was founded in 1538). Immediately the monks began preparations to start a school. The school opened its doors in the 4th of February 1961. Since the 1960s the school has been educating future scientists, doctors, lawyers, engineers, and many others to be leaders in their professions and their communities.
Directors
- Principal: Father Francis Wehri O.S.B.
- Academic Vice-principal: Jorge Celis
- Administrative Vice-principal: Juan Fernando Corral
- Primary School Director: Daniel Sarmiento
Principals
- Father Francis Wehri (1965–Present); in August 2007 Father Francis was awarded the Cruz de Boyacá (Cross of Boyacá), the highest honor bestowed by the Colombian government.
- Mr. Jorge Celis (secondary school)
- Mr. Daniel Sarmiento (primary school)
Notable teachers
- Rev. Father Francis Wheri OSB - PRINCIPAL
- Rev. Father Gonzalo Blanco OSB
- Rev. Father Manuel Cely OSB
- Rev. Father Phillip Vanderlin OSB
- Sister Mary Assumpta Directora 66
- Gary Ott 70
- Alfredo Lago 66
- Frank Novosel 66
- Katheline Curran 66
- David Kardong 66
- Enrique Hernandez 66
- Otto Velez 77
- Alfredo Lago 67
- Alvaro Martinez 67
- Camilo Merizalde 67
- Derry Millar 67
- Francis Novosel 67
- Luz de Vargas 67
- David Olson 67
- Paul Bena Zeraf 67
- Nik Taylot 67
- Rafael G Viera 67
- Ramon Fayad 67
- Tino Christofilis 67
- William Bravin 67
- Rev. Father Martin Fisher 70
- Paul Bene 70
- Leopoldo Cabrera Perdomo 70
- Luz Carmenza Viera 70
- Martin Duffy 70
- Rev. Father Muggli 70
- Hugo Castelblanco Sierra 70
- Rev. Sister Antoinette 70
- Elvina de Cawley 84
- Mrs. Alejandra Posada
- Mr. Jorge Enrique Celis Melo, Secondary School Director
- Mr. Daniel Sarmiento, Actual primary school director
- Mrs. Alice de Cuervo, primary school director from 1982 until her expiration in 2003 - died on 2010
- Mr. Julio Morales (until 2010 - died on February 2011), Chemistry teacher
- Mr. Walter Diaz
- Mrs. Martha Restrepo
- Mr. Martin Leo Martin Ragon
- Mr. Fernando Valencia
- Mrs. Angela Torres
- Mr. David Valencia
- Mr. Javier Gómez
- Mr. Héctor Carranza, geometry teacher
- Mrs. Maria Nelsy Gómez de Martinez, Mathematics and Chemistry Teacher
- Mrs. Ana Plata de Rodríguez, Science teacher
- Mr. Sergio Cardenas
- Mrs. Luz Adriana Gomez Galvis
- Mr. Juan Pablo Moya Hoyos
- Mrs. Pilar Gonzalez
- Mr. Juan Carlos Muñoz
- Mr. Rodrigo Huertas
- Mr. Helbert Ballestas
- Mr. Nicolás Gómez A.
- Mr. Andres Rubiano
- Mr. Robert Pagliazzo
- Mrs. Lilina Camacho
- Mrs. Carolina Álvarez
- Mrs. María F. de Umaña
- Mrs. Clara L. Duque
- Mrs. Teresita Herrera
- Mrs. Patricia Montealegre
- Mrs. Margarita Pacheco
- Mrs. Cristina Delgado de Neira
- Mrs. Lucía Moncada
- Mrs. Natalia Balcázar
- Mrs. Diana Castellanos
- Mrs. Constanza Smith de Martinez
- Mrs. Marta P. Ramírez
- Mrs. María E. Jiménez
- Mrs. Ximena Ovalle
- Mrs. Andrea Manrique
- Mr. Jaime Alberto Rueda M.
- Mr. Andres Guzmán V.
- Mr. Juan José Fernández C.
- Mr. Fabio Rodríguez
- Mr. Elías Correa
- Mr. Frncisco Duarte
- Mr. Germán Rodríguez
- Mr. Álvaro Torres
- Mrs. Greta Rodríguez
- Mrs. Luz Estela Marín
- Mrs. Maria Constanza Bernal
Notable alumni
Alumni from San Carlos include:- Luis Fernando Santos Calderón, President of Casa Editorial El Tiempo
- Francisco Santos CalderónFrancisco Santos CalderónFrancisco Santos Calderón also known as Pacho Santos born 14 August 1961 in the city of Bogotá, is a Colombian politician and journalist. Santos was elected as Álvaro Uribe's second runner up and became Vice President in the Colombian elections of 2002...
, former Vice President of Colombia (2002–2010) - Rafael Santos Calderón, editor of El Tiempo
- Miguel Silva Pinzon, Founder, FD Gravitas and GatopardoGatopardo (magazine)Gatopardo is a monthly magazine established in Colombia by Miguel Silva and Rafael Molano. Gatopardo was edited by Grupo de Publicaciones Latinoamericanas . It has been recognized by the quality in its chronicles and its coverages...
- Mauricio Rodríguez MúneraMauricio Rodríguez MúneraJosé Mauricio Rodríguez Múnera is the current Ambassador of Colombia to the United Kingdom serving concurrently as Non-Resident Ambassador to Ireland. He is the founder and former director of Portafolio, Colombia’s most prominent economic and finance newspaper, and has been a journalist for...
, Ambassador of Colombia to the United KingdomAmbassador of Colombia to the United KingdomThe Ambassador of Colombia to the United Kingdom is the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Colombia to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, accredited as Concurrent Non-Resident Ambassador to Ireland....
, founder and editor of Portafolio - Andrés CabasAndrés CabasAndrés Mauricio Cabas Rosales , or more commonly known as Cabas, is a Colombian musician. His music is characterized by having a Caribbean-like sound.-Biography:...
, Musician - Miguel GómezMiguel Gómez (photographer)Miguel Gómez is a Colombian Fine Art Photographer and Visual Artist whose style is marked by/best known for his work in Fine art photography, Portrait, Editorial and Landscape photography....
, Photographer - Jorge Mario Eastman, Deputy Minister of Defense
- Andrés Pastrana ArangoAndrés Pastrana ArangoAndrés Pastrana Arango was the President of Colombia from 1998 to 2002, following in the footsteps of his father, Misael Pastrana, who was president from 1970 to 1974.-Early years:...
, former President of Colombia (1998-2002) - Gabriel Silva LujanGabriel Silva LujánGabriel Silva Luján is the current Ambassador of Colombia to the United States. Silva, who was Colombia's Minister of National Defence from 2009 to 2010 and General Manager of the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia, had already served as Ambassador in Washington, D.C...
, Ambassador of Colombia to the United States, Minister of National DefenceMinistry of National Defense (Colombia)The Ministry of National Defence , is the national executive ministry of the Government of Colombia charged with coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the government relating directly to national security and the armed forces of Colombia, similar to the defense ministries in...
, and General Manager of the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia - Andrés CepedaAndrés CepedaAndrés Cepeda Andrés Cepeda Andrés Cepeda (born July 7, 1973, is a popular Colombian singer and songwriter. He was born in Bogotá, the youngest of five children. He displayed an inclination towards music from an early age, studying piano since the age of 5. He composed his first piece at the age of...
, Musician (until 8th grade) - Jorge Silva Luján, President of Microsoft Latino America
- Alberto Calderón, Vice President of BHP BillitonBHP BillitonBHP Billiton is a global mining, oil and gas company headquartered in Melbourne, Australia and with a major management office in London, United Kingdom...
- Luis Alberto MorenoLuis Alberto MorenoLuis Alberto Moreno Mejía is the 4th and current President of the Inter-American Development Bank.-Life:Luis Alberto Moreno was elected president of the Inter-American Development Bank during a special meeting of the Bank's Board of Governors at IDB headquarters in Washington, D.C...
, President of the Inter-American Development BankInter-American Development BankThe Inter-American Development Bank is the largest source of development financing for Latin America and the Caribbean... - Miguel Gómez Martínez, Member of the Chamber of Representatives of Colombia
- Juan Manuel Santos Calderón (until 9th grade) President of ColombiaPresident of ColombiaThe President of Colombia is the head of state and head of government of the Republic of Colombia. The office of president was established upon the ratification of the Constitution of 1819, by the Congress of Angostura, convened in December 1819, when Colombia was part of "la Gran Colombia"...
- Luis Carlos Sarmiento Gutiérrez, President of Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores, SAGrupo Aval Acciones y Valores, SAGrupo Aval is a Colombian holding company engaged in a wide variety of financial activities, including banking, telecommunications and real estate; in Colombia and Central America...
Athletics
The school belongs to the UNCOLI Activities Association. Students are encouraged to participate in athletics from a young age, especially soccer, basketball and volleyball. Competitive tournaments with other UNCOLI schools are available in the following age categories:- Mayores (Grades 11 and 10)
- Juvenil (Grades 9 and 8)
- Infantil (Grades 7 and 6)
- Pre-Infantil (Grades 5 and 4)
- Benjamines (Grade 3, non-sanctioned)
The school is equipped with 5 full sized soccer fields, 8 outdoor basketball courts, 5 outdoor volleyball courts, a 400m outdoor track and a multi-purpose indoor gym used for basketball and volleyball competitions. In Soccer, Basketball and Volleyball, the school has won in its history over more than 250 titles making it the most successful in the UNCOLI history.
Students abroad
The school's average (during its 50 years) in the Colombian National ICFES examn is in between the first and third place, neing recognized as the best school of Colombia. San Carlos School consistently places around 15% of its graduates in foreign universities..The school has not adopted any international teaching system such as AP or IB. All graduating students must take the ICFES standardized exam. Students wishing to study abroad are encouraged to sit for standardized tests such as the SAT or the ACT.