Vive Cortelazor A School with Soul in Cortelazor
Published Friday, April 11, 2025
In the small town of Cortelazor, nestled in the Sierra de Aracena, lies the heart of a community united by a common cause: keeping their rural school alive. The educational center, with over 40 years of history, now faces a challenge shared by many small towns: declining birth rates and a lack of new enrollments.
The Town Hall and the teaching staff have joined forces to reverse this situation.
"The initiative emerged jointly, because although we’re not at the limit yet, there is a risk of closure if no new children enroll," explains Ainoha González, mayor of Cortelazor.
Currently, the school has just two classrooms: one for Kindergarten and Primary with nine students, and one for Secondary with six students.
Personalized Attention That Makes a Difference
Beyond the numbers, this school offers something unique: personalized and close attention for both students and families.
"Here, if a child has a difficulty, the teacher takes care of it. It’s almost like a private lesson," says a mother from the school.
The school is also equipped with modern resources like 3D printers, computers, and support teachers that enhance the learning experience.
Innovative and Human-Centered Pedagogy
The teaching quality is reflected in the approach of the staff.
Pablo González, one of the teachers, highlights his passion for Waldorf pedagogy, which he applies daily in class:
"We work on math, language, and science in a very participative way, using games and activities that help students connect both hemispheres of the brain. For the children, it feels like play, but as a teacher, I know they’re doing very powerful things."
A Village That Cares for Its Children
Cortelazor offers a peaceful and safe lifestyle. It’s a welcoming town where everyone knows each other and children can roam freely. Families enjoy:
- Free extracurricular activities
- Sports programs
- Swimming lessons in summer
- And a community involved in the school through initiatives like dialogic gatherings
Attracting New Families
Ainoha González points out that recently, social rental housing has been made available to help attract new families:
“We’re trying to collaborate with these families to adapt the school to new needs, like inclusive playgrounds. We're moving slowly because our financial resources are limited.”
Also, enrolling children in the school for at least two years is the highest scoring factor when assigning these homes.
A Model of Community and Learning
The school has recently become a Learning Community, a participative and open model where families also take part in the classroom.
"We’re trying to promote what we offer to reach people looking for a quieter lifestyle. This is a lively but very peaceful village, surrounded by nature. The freedom children have here is something they can’t find in a bigger town or a city," adds Ainoha González.
In short, the Cortelazor school is not just a place for learning.
It’s a space where people live, share, and build a future.
And now, more than ever, it needs to be seen and supported.
