With this expansion, Vimenti in San Juan reaffirms its commitment to the holistic development and school retention of young people
San Juan, Puerto Rico (August 10, 2026) — Vimenti, the first educational center in Puerto Rico under the charter public school model, officially began its high school academic offering today with its first ninth-grade class. With this milestone, the institution continues to solidify its unique educational proposal, which combines academic excellence with comprehensive support services for students and their families.
Since its founding, Vimenti has distinguished itself by offering a rigorous and dynamic curriculum focused on socio-emotional development, critical thinking, and 21st-century skills. The expansion into high school, with the incorporation of the ninth grade, responds to high community demand and the proven success of its educational model.
'The opening of our ninth grade represents a crucially important step in our mission to provide transformative educational opportunities in Puerto Rico. We want to support our young people through a crucial stage of their development, equipping them with the necessary tools to reach their full potential and become leaders in their community,' pointed out Bárbara Rivera Batista, executive director of Vimenti.
Photo courtesy of FlyersPR.
Vimenti's model stands out for integrating student education with support for the family unit through its service center. This school year, approximately 262 families and 394 students will be part of the Vimenti school community. Joining them are more than 2,827 adult and youth participants in extended-hours programs, the Employability and Careers Program, and other services. This holistic system ensures that each student has not only a cutting-edge education, but also the necessary support to overcome socioeconomic barriers, thereby promoting an environment conducive to academic and personal success.
Now in its eighth year of operation, Vimenti has achieved significant progress in its mission to eradicate child poverty in Puerto Rico through the economic mobility of its participating families. Over this past year, Vimenti achieved a 5% reduction in the poverty level of its participating families; 66% of its students achieved academic proficiency; it served 102,744 meals to its participants; and 12% of its participating families reached the level of well-being in their evaluations.
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About Vimenti:
From its community-based hub, Vimenti delivers high-quality, student-centered education alongside workforce development and comprehensive family support. Together, these services generate sustainable outcomes and build long-term pathways to family stability, well-being, and economic opportunity. To amplify its impact, Vimenti strengthens and expands the core components of its model by connecting communities to resources and opportunities, creating the conditions for families to thrive. For more information about Vimenti, go to www.vimenti.org. For donations, go to www.vimenti.org/donate.