HISTORY
HISTORY
MARCH 6, 1973
– First public meeting at the Firehouse in Mayaguez. Seven parents were elected to form the Board of Directors of the newly founded Southwestern Educational Society (SESO)
AUGUST 1973
– SESO opened on the 2nd floor of the YMCA in Mayaguez. Eighty-eight students from Kinder through 8th grade were grouped into five classrooms. Mrs. Nilda Rosario was Head Teacher – Principal. The school had a budget of $72,000 (tuition – $54,000 and donations of $18,000).
SUMMER 1975
– Through the arduous work and dedication of a group of parents of the first generation of SESO students, SESO transitioned from a rented building in Obispado to a larger building located in the Cuba Sector in Miradero. This building would serve as the foundation and remain to be a part of the SESO facilities today. These parents’ children started SESO in 1973 and would become part of the first groups of SESO graduates. There were 150 students from K-9th grade and Mr. Ralph González became the 1st School Principal.
APRIL 1991
– SESO received Middle States Accreditation (MSA).
NOVEMBER 1992
– Lighting for the covered court became a reality thanks to a donation from Digital Equipment Corporation and the assistance of the school Parent – Teacher Organization (PTO).
NOVEMBER 1993
– SESO celebrated its 20th Anniversary at the Mayaguez Hilton. The newly constructed Snack Bar and Student Lounge were inaugurated.
AUGUST 1994
– Project “SESO 2005”, a vision for the facilities development as part of the strategic planning process by the Board of Directors under the leadership of school director Miguel Arzola-Barris, Esq., was unveiled.
AUGUST 1995
– The computer lab was equipped with twenty-five stations.
APRIL 1996
– Inauguration of restroom facilities at the Covered Court. Pre-Kinder services were extended to a full day program.
SEPTEMBER 1996
– Inauguration of the new administrative offices and facilities.
MAY 1998
– Plans for the multipurpose building and classrooms’ wing were presented to the school community.
JUNE 1998 – Gala celebration at “Casa del Medico” and a Family Day at the “Club Deportivo del Oeste” in celebration of the school’s 25th Anniversary.
JANUARY 2000
– Groundbreaking for the multipurpose building.
AUGUST 2000
– Inauguration of the multipurpose building and Day Care Program.
MARCH 2001
– Student enrollment reached 800.
MAY 2001
– Annual grade promotions and graduation ceremonies were held for the first time on school facilities.
AUGUST 2001
– An Accreditation for Growth visiting committee positively recommended SESO for MSA re-accreditation.
AUGUST 2002
– Completion of Project “SESO 2005”. The facilities included High School and Elementary School libraries, a Cafetorium that could accommodate up to 800 students, a new Computer Lab, a state-of-the-art Science Lab and an access ramp in compliance with ADA regulations and an inclusive policy.
FEBRUARY 2003
– Venice Masquerade Fund Raising Gala and Fashion Show were held in celebration of the school’s 30th Anniversary.
AUGUST 2004
– Inauguration of Pre-School Building and the access beltway around campus. SESO becomes an independent Regional Science Fair site.
FEBRUARY 2007
– First ever SESO Family Fair held on school grounds.
AUGUST 2013
– SESO celebrated its 40th Anniversary.
OCTOBER 2016
– SESO received re-accreditation from Middle States Association (MSA).
2017
– SESO revamps its institutional and digital identity.
