Imagine a chalet in northern Madrid. It’s July 1963. This is where the story of Colegio Virgen de Lourdes begins.
The Sociedad Colegio Virgen de Lourdes S.A. was established then. It started small. The Colegio Virgen de Lourdes didn’t move to its current location until 1969. That year, the Ciudad Educativa Colegio Virgen de Lourdes opened its doors. The first course was 1969/70.
Parents noticed some students weren’t getting the attention they needed. These students struggled in the conventional education system. The professionals at the Colegio Virgen de Lourdes worked hard to help them. A group of enthusiastic parents decided to buy the school. They wanted to continue the great work that had been happening for almost a decade.
This group of parents formed a foundation. More parents joined them. The foundation was called Promiva. After a few years, Promiva became the owner of most of the school’s shares. It became the real owner of the Sociedad Colegio Virgen de Lourdes S.A.
Fundación Promiva also helped create other organizations. These organizations focus on helping people with mental and intellectual disabilities find jobs. Examples include Centro Ocupacional Virgen de Lourdes, Asociación la Veguilla and Biomiva S.L. These companies employ over 70 people with disabilities.
Today, Colegio Virgen de Lourdes is a leader in special education. It has been around for over 50 years. Nearly 300 students attend the school. This is a significant number for a special education center.
Colegio Virgen de Lourdes S.A. is unique. It is a public-benefit, non-profit company. It operates as a Sociedad Anónima.
The Colegio Virgen de Lourdes is a special education center. It serves students with intellectual disabilities. These students need significant changes to the regular curriculum. The students are between six and twenty-one years old.
The school has two sections. The first section is for students of mandatory school age. The second section is for vocational training after mandatory education.
The Colegio Virgen de Lourdes aims to serve its students. It provides rehabilitation and training. This helps students integrate into society. It also helps them find jobs and become financially independent. The school helps families accept their children’s limitations. It creates social and work opportunities.
The Colegio Virgen de Lourdes also aims to serve the sector. It provides effective innovations. It influences education and cooperates in research. The school provides highly qualified professionals. These professionals contribute to the development of people with mental disabilities.
The Colegio Virgen de Lourdes provides educational and organizational models. These models can be used by others who share the school’s goals.
The school offers psychology services. These services evaluate and diagnose new students. They provide advice and support to teachers and parents. They offer individual and group treatments for various issues. These include memory, communication, social competence, and cognitive stimulation.
The school also offers speech therapy. This therapy addresses speech, language, and communication disorders. It aims to improve communication skills.
Physical therapy is available. This therapy assesses new students. It provides individual and group sessions. It focuses on psychomotor and orthopedic rehabilitation. It improves balance, body awareness, coordination, and spatial orientation.
Social work services are provided. These services support families and students. They provide information about resources and community support. They help students transition to professional training.
The Colegio Virgen de Lourdes offers medical services. These services include neurology, neurophysiology, general medicine, and nursing. They use neurological techniques to diagnose students. They study brain responses using cognitive potentials. The medical service monitors students who require medication. It also provides health advice and support to families.
The Colegio Virgen de Lourdes has its own kitchen. It prepares monthly menus reviewed by the medical department. It offers special menus for dietary needs. Students sit at the table with their teachers. The school provides school bus transportation.
Colegio Virgen de Lourdes also offers a day care center. This center focuses on professional development and social inclusion.
It is an inspiring place. The Colegio Virgen de Lourdes helps students with disabilities reach their full potential. The Colegio Virgen de Lourdes gives them the tools. They need to lead fulfilling lives.