Primary and Secondary Education

In the Port-au-Prince neighborhoods of La Saline and Cite Soleil, the Salesians operate a network of four pre-schools, 52 small one-classroom primary schools, and six elementary schools known as OPEPB “Oeuvre des Petites Ecoles de Pere Bohnen” or the “Little Schools of Fr. Bohnen.” Cite Soleil is home to about 300,000 residents who live in widespread poverty, and OPEPB currently provides free schooling to 8,816 children who would otherwise lack access to a basic education.

At Pétion-Ville, located just to the south of Port-au-Prince, the Salesians welcome more than 1200 boys from ages 6 to 12 at the Dominic Savio Primary School and more than 250 boys and girls at the secondary school.  Recent development at the school includes the construction of an auditorium, a gymnasium with football and basketball courts a new science laboratory, and a new library with thousands of works.  The Salesians also administer the Father Arthur Volel Literacy Center which serves 150 students.

The Salesians in Gressier manage a primary and secondary school, with enrollment totaling over 1000 students. Forty of the students are housed on campus in dormitories. Students from the school participate in a school gardening program. They learn about care for the environment, and they get to eat some healthy snacks along the way. Students are also introduced to sports activities, computer science, and music.

In Fort-Liberté the Salesians operate a primary school that serves over 350 boys and girls from the area.  Walking past the classrooms one can hear all of the knowledge the students are devouring.  4th grade students are learning all about insects, plants, and the natural elements in Science class, while the 1st graders are learning how to introduce themselves, identify objects, and express their desires in French class.  Each day brings new educational adventures.

In Cap-Haitien, the SDBs run primary and secondary schools with an enrollment of over 1,000 boys and girls.  The secondary school provides a rigorous program of study called “nouveau secondaire” that is meant to prepare all of the students to attend University.  In their first year of studies, the students continue learning four languages!  Creole, French, Spanish, and English.  Their other studies also prepare them to be informed and responsible citizens.  In social sciences, they learn about the history of Haiti, from its colonial past to the hopes and challenges of today.

Opening its doors in September of 2018, this new school in Les Cayes will soon welcome 360 students in grades one through nine. The construction of the school was largely financed by Mr. Giancarlo Oderda, who wished to support the youth of Haiti after the 2010 Earthquake. Mr. Oderda states that his aim is to help Haiti “by building a school where young people can learn the skills for a real job — one that will allow them to become independent and ever-released from the chains of poverty.” A second phase of construction, to take place at a future date, will expand the school with a second school block.