It was a spark that illuminated those who embraced the thoughts of Saint Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer, founder of Opus Dei: Build yourselves the schools where you want to educate your children. Based on this concept, several couples who were concerned about the academic issues in Colombia founded the Teaching Association (ASPAEN), which is the origin of the Parents’ Corporation (CORPAF), known today as CORPADE.
In 1971 a group of people who lived in Bogota City, motivated by the successful experience of the first ASPAEN schools, Gimnasio Los Cerros and Iragua in Bogota, Pinares and Alcazares in Medellín, committed themselves to promoting the idea of founding a school that belonged to parents in Cartagena.
After significant attempts, the seed that was brought from the country’s capital fell on fertile ground and in November, 1972 a handful of people founded the Parents Corporation - Cartagena Sectional (CORPAF), today known as CORPADE.
In February 1973 Gimnasio Cartagena de Indias, property of this corporation started business with 62 students in a residential house in Bocagrande, under the direction of Tulia Martínez de Barrios, also known as “La Prince”.
