Washburn School Home

The Choice English School

Standards and Accreditations

Washburn School earned accreditation from the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), the Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), accreditation divisions of AdvancED (Cognia as of 2020).

NCA CASI, SACS CASI, and NWAC provide nationally and internationally recognized accreditations, the purpose of which is continuous school improvement focused on increasing student performance. To earn accreditation, schools must meet NCA CASI’s , SACS CASI’s , and NWAC’s high standards, be evaluated by a team of professionals from outside the school and implement a continuous process of school improvement.

Accreditation demonstrates to our students, parents and community that we are focused on raising student achievement, providing a safe and enriching learning environment, and maintaining an efficient and effective operation staffed by highly qualified educators.

NCA CASI, SACS CASI, and NWAC accreditations are recognized across state lines, which not only eases the transfer process as students move from accredited school to accredited school but also assures parents that the school is meeting nationally accepted standards for quality and successful professional practice.

Dr. Mark Elgart, President/CEO of AdvancED, the parent organization of NCA CASI, SACS CASI, and NWAC, stated, “The NCA CASI, SACS CASI, and NWAC accreditation is a rigorous process that focuses the entire school on the primary goal of creating lifelong learners. Washburn School is to be commended for engaging in this process and demonstrating a commitment to continuous improvement

Our Mission

Washburn School is a private, nonsectarian, multicultural, nonprofit, value-based, college preparatory Pre-K to 12th-grade school in which English is the main language of instruction. Washburn School fosters a holistic, challenging, and dynamic exemplary English language educational program in a safe and nurturing environment. We educate and inspire our students to reach their full potential and we are committed to empowering them to pursue personal and academic excellence. Washburn prepares students to become critical thinkers, lifelong learners, precise communicators, ethical leaders, intellectual problem solvers, and caring global citizens.

From a Small School in Ponce, Puerto Rico to Canada's #1 University and #16 Ranked Globally: A Washburn First

Carolina Raquel Rivera Chacón, the highest scorer in her graduating class at Washburn School in Ponce, Puerto Rico, was accepted to ten universities, including Purdue, York in Toronto and Chapman U in California. She chose the University of Toronto #1 in Canada and #16 in the globe at a tuition lower than any local university in Puerto Rico to chase one uncommon dream: a career in international music law.

De Washburn School en Ponce a Yale: Washburn School Celebra 10 Años de Aceptaciones a Más de 160 Universidades

Desde la Ivy League hasta un contrato con los Boston Red Sox, los egresados de Washburn School en Coto Laurel, Ponce, Puerto Rico han escrito una historia que pocos colegios pequeños en Puerto Rico pueden contar.

From Ponce to Penn State, Michigan State, Purdue, and U of Miami: 3 Washburn School 2026 Seniors Earn Over $1 Million in Academic Scholarships

The Washburn Class of 2026 (Athena) is just beginning to report. Three of our twenty-one seniors have already secured over one million dollars in academic scholarships and confirmed seats at top research universities across the continental United States they are headed to Penn State University and Michigan State University with acceptances to Purdue University and University Miami alongside many more to choose from. Washburn School, a private nonprofit college preparatory institution in Coto Laurel, Ponce, celebrates Paola, Carolina and Claudia: three distinct paths built on the same foundation — twelve-plus years of full English immersion, sustained academic rigor, and university preparation that begins in seventh grade. Eighteen seniors still to report.

Octavo grado de Washburn School en Ponce supera el promedio nacional en su primer PSAT 8/9

En abril de 2026, los estudiantes de octavo grado de Washburn School tomaron el PSAT 8/9 — el primer examen del College Board en sus vidas académicas. Como grupo, el salón superó el promedio nacional en Reading and Writing, con 16 de 18 estudiantes por encima de la media nacional y diez por encima en Math. Tres estudiantes, Ana Bahamundi, Amanda Aviles y Eliana Rosa obtuvieron puntajes en Reading and Writing (ENGLISH) que, en la escala común del College Board, exceden el promedio nacional del SAT de duodécimo grado.

$646,000 in Scholarships. 11 Acceptances. 14 Years at Washburn School in Ponce, Puerto Rico Since 2013. Senior Headed to Penn State on the Road to Neurosurgery.

She took 14 years of total English immersion, a perfect 4.00 GPA, six varsity sports, the presidency of the National Honor Society, over 200 hours of community service, and turned it all into $646,000 in academic scholarships and acceptances from 11 universities across the United States. Now she is headed to Penn State University with one goal: neurosurgery. This is what happens when a student with relentless discipline meets a school built for exactly that kind of student. This is Washburn School. This is Claudia's story.

Washburn Senior Girls Make Home Stadium Debut in Coamo with a Victory to Remain Undefeated

Summary : Washburn Senior Girls Soccer opened their new home at the Velódromo in Coamo with a dominant 5–0 victory over Caribbean School, highlighted by four goals from Andrea Avilés Miranda and one from Amanda Figueroa. Now 3–0 in league play and undefeated overall, the team has scored 38 goals while allowing just four, capturing a futsal championship and reaching a soccer final as they continue a historic 2026 season.

Three Big Wins Send Washburn School of Ponce to the Tournament Championship

Washburn’s juvenile boys basketball team punched its ticket to the championship game of the Torneo Pachín Vicéns after three consecutive victories over Family Christian Academy, Colegio Ponceño, and Liceo Ponceño.

Girls Soccer in Puerto Rico Is on the Rise. What’s Happening at This College Prep School in Ponce?

The season began with a statement. Washburn School from Ponce opened the year as Junior Futsal Champions at EDECAO in Salinas, setting the tone for what has become another demanding and high-level campaign.

They will have tournament appearances at Palmas Academy (Humacao), Caguas Private School, EDECAO Soccer in Cayey, B-You (Caguas), and SESO Mayagüez, while also facing teams from Ponce and across southern Puerto Rico in regular-season play.
In 2025, Washburn finished as Division I Sub-Champions 🥈, competing in the highest level of female school soccer on the island. That run followed a Top 16 finish in Puerto Rico at the Buzzer Beater National Tournament, officially placing the program among the island’s emerging contenders.

Mini Eagles Dance Team: A New Era Begins at Washburn in Ponce, Puerto Rico

Today we make history.
For the first time ever, Washburn School presents our Mini Eagles Dance Team, an amazing group of 3rd to 6th graders making their official debut in elementary school history.

WASHBURN SCHOOL IN PONCE SOCCER PROGRAM 2025

A Rising Program in Puerto Rico
Washburn Soccer enters 2025 as one of the fastest advancing school programs on the island. The structure now includes two competitive teams that represent the future and the present of Washburn athletics.

Pre-K, Kindergarten, and High School Entrance Closed Due to Electrical Cables Emergency

NO CLASSES TODAY – OCTOBER 24, 2025 AT WASHBURN SCHOOL

Due to a power outage, part of the school is running on our diesel generator and solar panels, but electricity is not reaching all buildings. We are investigating why the generator system is active but not supplying power to all areas.
This announcement was shared as soon as we found out (6:45–7:00 a.m.) through Teams, Facebook, Instagram, Remind, and email.

Triple Victory for Washburn Senior Eagles Female and Male Teams

Recently, our Junior Girls, Senior Girls, and Senior Boys volleyball teams have earned significant victories championships, subchampionships, semifinal runs and , advancing deep into competitive tournaments. Their effort and sportsmanship reflect the same discipline and commitment they show in the classroom.

Weather Update: Classes Remain in Session with Precautionary Measures – 9/25/25

Weather Update
A flood advisory is in effect in our region until 2:00 a.m.
The safety of our students and families always comes first. Please use caution tomorrow morning. If your community or route to school is affected by flooding, stay safe at home.

Thank you for putting safety above all. 💙

Washburn Celebrates 22 Consecutive Years of National Honor Society Affiliation

Washburn School Announces 2025–2026 Student Council Election Results

Washburn School has officially announced the results of the 2025–2026 Student Council elections following weeks of campaigning, speeches, and voting.

Washburn School Champions (Girls) and Sub-Champions (Boys) at the Academia Cristo Rey Volleyball Tournament

Washburn Volleyball excelled at the Academia Cristo Rey Tournament with the Junior Girls crowned champions and the Senior Boys finishing as sub-champions.

From Ponce to Microsoft: Washburn Alum Carolina Caraballo Vélez Excels

Washburn School is proud to celebrate our Class of 2022 alumna, Carolina Caraballo Vélez, who is making waves as a Software Engineer Intern at Microsoft in Redmond, WA. Her journey from our Ponce classrooms to developing real-world software solutions is truly inspiring.

Meet Washburn School’s Class of 2025 From Ponce, Puerto Rico

This extraordinary group of just 14 seniors has earned remarkable results:
- $9.9 million in college scholarships
- 79 university acceptances across Puerto Rico and the mainland United States
- 4 full-ride scholarships and 1 near full-ride
- An average SAT score 390 points above the U.S. national average
- A perfect 800 on the College Board PAA

Now, they’re heading off to top universities to pursue careers in fields like astrophysics, engineering, biomedical science, architecture, interior design, computer science, aviation, and more.

Keep going — their futures start right below >>>>> ➡️➡️➡️

Washburn Makes History: $25,125 Raised for Cancer Patients in Ponce | First Emerald Team in Years

A student-led movement of compassion and action puts Washburn School at the top of the leaderboard in Puerto Rico’s Relevo por la Vida. With over 65 student donors and dozens of local sponsors, this campaign became a record-breaking moment for the entire southern region.

Show All News

Washburn School Home

Shuffle 1

Washburn School

Neuroscience, Art, and French are some of the non-traditional classes offered at Washburn

2017-2018 Washburn School Seniors - Elionai 2K18 !!!

Washburn graduates have a 100% College Acceptance Rate at Universities in Massachusetts, Iowa, New Mexico, Indiana, Ohio, Florida, Illinois, New York, Missouri, and Puerto Rico

Where are our Washburn School Seniors going to College?

Washburn School Class of 2028 - Kindergarten Graduation 2016

2015 Basketball Champions Catholic and Private School League B, Puerto Rico

Washburn School Drama Club - Whether you are part of the class of 2016, an alumni, or the class of 2028, you are part of a family!

Washburn Chess Club and Chess Champions!

Active Community Involvement : Washburn Fighting Pediatric Cancer

Physics class at Washburn School includes a visit to see how the power plant in Aguirre powers Puerto Rico's electricity

Our World Class Robotics Program Includes Girls in Stem Who Have Traveled to VEX World Championships Around the Nation!

Our historical first graduation at Washburn School !

At Washburn School we are a true family!

Our classroom size policy enhances learning, creates a tight knit family, and foments safety and zero bullying at Washburn School!

2016 Seniors - Washburn School

#Throwback to Early 2000s ! Gabriel and Esteban already graduated from Washburn in 2015! One is Medical School bound and the other is a future entrepreneur and businessman!

Washburn's Baseball Team with the 2015 MLB Rookie of the Year Carlos Correa

Educational Leaders

Parents are the most important part of our family at Washburn

Social Feeds