Escuela Nacional Preparatoria No. 2

Can you hear the echoes of history whispering through these walls? Right here stands the Escuela Nacional Preparatoria No. 2, or Prepa 2 as it’s affectionately known. This isn’t just any school. It’s a living testament to Mexico’s rich educational heritage, a place where the seeds of revolution and artistic expression were sown. The Escuela Nacional Preparatoria No. 2 is one of nine schools that make up the National Preparatory School system of UNAM, the National Autonomous University of Mexico. It holds a unique distinction. It’s currently the only UNAM school that has offered the Iniciación Universitaria program since 1935. This program, equivalent to junior high, is integrated with the high school curriculum, a combined six-year plan of study. The story of Prepa 2 begins in 1935 with Rector Fernando Ocaranza’s vision of university extension courses. These courses, equivalent to secondary school, marked the beginning of what would eventually become Prepa 2. The school has had a nomadic existence. It started on Sadi Carnot Street in the San Rafael neighborhood, then briefly moved to Bucareli Street. From 1940 to 1952, it resided next to the Odontology Annex on Licenciado Verdad Street. In 1952, the school finally received its official designation as Plantel 2. It adopted a five-year curriculum combining the three years of university extension courses with two years of preparatory school. Later, in 1965, this evolved into the current six-year format: three years of Iniciación Universitaria and three of Preparatoria. The school’s growth outpaced its space on Licenciado Verdad Street. It expanded into the Odontology Annex, now the Palacio de la Autonomía, and even into buildings on San Ildefonso Street. Finally, in 1978, Prepa 2 found its permanent home on Río Churubusco Avenue. The new campus was named after Erasmo Castellanos Quinto. A statue of this esteemed teacher graces the main plaza. He is depicted with his beloved dogs and cats, a book in hand, a tribute to the humanist and Cervantes expert. Inside the administration building, portraits of past directors line the walls, a silent acknowledgment of their contributions to Prepa 2’s legacy. Over the years, the campus has continued to grow. In 2011, a new building dedicated to Iniciación Universitaria students opened on Canal de Tezontle Street. This modern facility boasts classrooms, science labs, computer rooms, and even a mediateca for language learning. Today, the Escuela Nacional Preparatoria No. 2 stands as a symbol of educational excellence and innovation. Its halls echo with the voices of generations of students who have walked its corridors, each contributing to the vibrant tapestry of Mexican history.