History

Marymount Barranquilla was founded in 1953 by the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, in a private home in a residential area of the city at the request of some of the alumni residing in Barranquilla who had attended different Marymount Schools around the world. Over time and with the help of the community of parents, the facilities grew as the number of students enrolled increased.
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Fundemabu's Founding


In 1957, Sister Vianney, Marymount Barranquilla School Director at the time and member of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, initiated the creation of an institution to provide an education to girls who did not have access to one due to economic constraints. Tenth and Eleventh grade students started to teach the girls on the Marymount campus and in 1962, due to strong parental and community support, the government donated a piece of land leading to the construction of what we know as the Fundación Educativa Madre Butler (Fundemabu).

1957-1962

1969

Sister Johanna becomes School Director


Any dive into the history of Marymount Barranquilla requires an examination of what the presence of Sister Johanna has meant for this institution. In 1969 she arrived to Barranquilla as School Director and during four decades, she modeled excellence, honesty, respect, loyalty and spirituality, educating leaders committed to values and service. When she realized that the main campus was not big enough, she purchased the property in Sabanilla, which she prophetically started calling "The Promised Land". Thanks to her vision and leadership, Marymount Barranquilla is the school it is today.

High School Formalization


In 1973, Marymount received approval from the Ministry of Education of Colombia to issue the official "Bachillerato" diploma (Res. 9274/73).

1973

1980-1992

Coed Institution


In 1980, the Exxon Corporation in Colombia decided to relocate its administrative offices from Bogotá to Barranquilla. The company conducted a research study in order to determine which schools in Barranquilla were appropriate for the children of the Exxon executives. As a result of this research, Marymount was chosen and the school began admitting male students. In 1983, the Preschool and Elementary sections were recognized as coed by the Colombian authorities. In 1985 and 1987, when the first boys were promoted to High School, the upper grades started to get approved as well. In 1992, the whole school was recognized as a coed institution. (Res. 15996/83; Res. 04802/87; Res. 705/92).

The Promised Land


Between 1991 and 1996, Marymount Barranquilla began looking to the future with the purchase of a piece of land in Sabanilla, on the outskirts of Barranquilla, which would become "The Promised Land". At that time, the land was primarily used for sports facilities and several were constructed.

1991-1996

2007-2011

NEASC and CIS Accreditations


In 2007, the School began the process to pursue international accreditation through the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), with the purpose of guaranteeing the quality of the institution for future generations. In 2009, an additional accreditation from the Council of International Schools (CIS) was sought, which granted accreditation to institutions in Europe and the Americas. On May 13th, 2010, Marymount Barranquilla received approval for accreditation through NEASC, and on April 27th, 2011, the dream of a dual accreditation with CIS became a reality.

Cambridge Associate School


After the certification process, the school was accepted as a member of the "Cambridge Associate School" quality assurance program, which allowed us to adopt their International Curriculum and improve the quality of education that defines our institution.

2017

2018

Arrival to The Promised Land


The year 2018 became a historic moment for the Marymount Community. "The Promised Land" became a reality with the opening of new facilities. Equipped with wide collaborative spaces and cutting-edge technology to support learning and respond to the formative demands of educational work, the new buildings facilitate our institutional goals to educate entrepreneurial leaders with values and principles which will guide their actions in a globalized society.

Phase I of Construction is Complete


Phase I of Construction is Complete, Including New High School and Elementary Buildings, as well as a Temporary Chapel.

2019

2021

Marymount Mission 2023 Leads the Cormary Board to Approve a New Structure and Name for the Marymount Foundation

Created to Ensure the Continuity of Free Education, Now Renamed Colegio Sister Johanna  in Honor of Our Director Emeritus.

MM2023 Completes its Cycle and We Embark on the Design of a New Strategic Plan Focused on the Student Profile as the Basis for Curriculum Development.


Additionally, the Phase II of the construction plan will be presented. The future offers new opportunities to unite us even more as a community that embraces and embodies the legacy and mission of the RSHM of Marymount, transforming our world together as Leaders Educating Leaders.

2023

At present, Marymount Barranquilla is an educational institution approved by the Colombian Ministry of Education, according to Ruling n.° 00487 of April 4th, 2003 and accredited internationally by NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges, May 13th, 2010) and by CIS (Council of International Schools, April 29th, 2011) at all three (3) levels: Preschool, Elementary, and High School.
© Copyright Marymount School Barranquilla, Colombia 2024.

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