From Coto Laurel, Ponce. From a private nonprofit college preparatory institution accredited by Cognia (NCA CASI, NWAC, SACS CASI).
Student 1
Paola Ramos Castillo: Bound for Michigan State University in Genetics
Declared goal: Ph.D. in Genetic Science.
Paola was accepted to 9 university genetics programs and earned $358,250 in academic scholarships (does not include financial aid, academic scholarships only):
Michigan State University: $56,000
Florida Tech University: $90,000
University of Missouri: $88,250
Saint Louis University Madrid: $64,000
Iowa State University: $60,000 "
Florida International University
Ohio University
University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez
Michigan Tech University
Paola has confirmed her decision: Michigan State University, one of the leading genetics research institutions in the United States. Her Washburn trajectory includes Honor Roll, National Honor Society member, senior class treasurer and softball team athlete.
It all started in our Finance and Career Planning class, where every student defines their university path before graduating.
Student 2
Carolina Rivera Chacón: 8 University Acceptances and 95th Percentile SAT Nationally
90th percentile on the SAT at the United States level. Not Puerto Rico. The entire United States. Carolina outscored 90 percent of all students who sat for the SAT in the country.
95th to 99th percentile in science, reading and English language arts on the NWEA MAP Growth assessment since the start of high school. That places her in the top 1 to 5 percent of students evaluated globally among 7.7 million.
Her acceptances:
Purdue University, Chapman University, California, Temple University, St. Lawrence University, Ithaca College, New York, University of Missouri, and St. Louis University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus Universidad del Sagrado Corazón
Carolina is a classically trained pianist from the Escuela Libre de Música de Puerto Rico. A vocalist. The same student who dominates the SAT at the national level is the one who sits at a piano and stops your heart.
Student 3
Claudia Betancourt Ortiz: 14 Years at Washburn, $646,000 in Scholarships, Bound for Penn State University
Claudia entered Washburn School in Pre-Kindergarten in 2013. Fourteen consecutive years at our institution. Eleven university acceptances. $646,000 in academic scholarships (does not include financial aid, academic scholarships only).
Her acceptances:
Penn State University: $30,000
University of Miami (15% acceptance rate)
University of Connecticut
Michigan State University: $65,000
Saint Joseph's University (80%): $124,000
Oklahoma State University (70%): $27,000
St. Lawrence University (47%): $140,000
University of Iowa (86%): $60,000
University of New Haven (87%): $140,000
Iowa State University (90%): $60,000
University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus (Bachelor's in Medical Sciences, Biology)
Claudia will continue her formation at Penn State University, a firm step toward her goal of becoming a neurosurgeon.
Perfect 4.00 GPA throughout her entire school career. Student of the Year 2023 to 2024. Student Athlete of the Year 2023 to 2024 and 2024 to 2025. National Honor Society President 2025 to 2026. Senior class vice president. Softball team captain 2025. Cross country gold medalist. Runner of the Year. LAEC softball champion and soccer runner-up. Over 200 hours of community service. Participant in the University of Notre Dame Vision Program and summer academic experiences at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez.
The Pattern, Not the Exception
Three out of twenty-one seniors. Over one million dollars in academic scholarships. Confirmed seats at universities that rarely appear on student transcripts from southern Puerto Rico.
It is not luck. It is full English immersion starting in Pre-Kindergarten. It is sustained academic rigor over twelve years. It is real SAT preparation that begins in seventh grade. It is a Finance and Career Planning class where every student defines their university path before graduating. It is Calculus, Physics, College Writing and Speech in high school. It is a team of teachers, counselors and families committed to every senior graduating with options, not aspirations.
Washburn School. Wisdom and Growth.
Private nonprofit 501(c)(3) college preparatory institution in Coto Laurel, Ponce, Puerto Rico. Pre-Kindergarten through twelfth grade. Accredited by Cognia (NCA CASI, NWAC, SACS CASI). Full English immersion with dual Spanish curriculum. Founded in 1999. Incorporated in 2003.
This is Washburn.
Carr. 14 KM 8.4, Coto Laurel, Ponce, PR. 787-842-2227. WhatsApp 787-425-3321. washburnschoolpr.com.
Washburn School is recognized among the best private schools in Ponce, Puerto Rico, serving families across Ponce, Juana Díaz, Coamo, Santa Isabel, Yauco, Peñuelas, Adjuntas, Guayanilla, Salinas and the greater southern Puerto Rico region. As a leading bilingual school in Ponce and college preparatory academy in southern Puerto Rico, Washburn specializes in English immersion education, SAT preparation, PSAT preparation, AP course preparation, and university admissions counseling for students from Pre-K through 12th grade.
Looking for the best private school in Ponce, a top bilingual school in Puerto Rico, or a college prep academy that sends students to U.S. mainland universities? Washburn School has been the answer since 2003.