Our Lady of Guadalupe Belmopan Parish Council had seen the need for a Catholic School for many years.  Since 1993, work towards this goal had been a steady strive.  There was much more discussion on the necessity to teach Catholic Faith in the Government Public Schools.

In 1993, Prime Minister George Price was approached about the idea of a Catholic School, his response was most favourable.

In May of 1993, five acres of land were acquired from Reconstruction and Development Corporation, the land was adjacent to the Church’s Property, on the Ring Road, East of Central Belmopan City.

In March of 1994, a letter was sent to the Chief Education Officer, seeking approval to establish a Catholic School and to secure that it could be grant aided.

On February 14, 1995 at a meeting of the Parish Council, Fr. Callistus Cayetano once again brought the plan for a Catholic School.  Thirteen (13) members were present and they all participated by telling their experiences of the planning and coordinated works done for the church building which had been completed on December of 1985.  Fr. Cayetano explained the Government’s stand- that the school be a private one.  By that, the Government would not be responsible for teachers’ salaries.  Ministry of Education had opposed the idea at first.

In May of 1995, the General Manger of Catholic Schools sent another letter to the Ministry of Education, as they had not replied to the letter of March 1994.

Also in 1995, questionnaires in both English and Spanish were given out to adult parishioners to find out if they supported the idea of a Roman Catholic Primary School.  Most responses were in favor of the school.  Only a few were pessimistic about the concept.

In October 1997, Sr. Gregoria Lizama RSM met with Bishop O.P. Martin to report the following:

1-      Fr. Cayetano and Sr. Gregoria were confronted with the resistance of members of evangelical denominations to the in the Government Public Schools in Belmopan in regards to preparing the Catholic children for Sacrament of Confirmation.

2-      Religious instructions for Catholic School children in the Government Schools were very weak; and this important aspect of the children’s formation needed restructuring.

3-      The process of discussion with Sr. Gregoria about the proposed Catholic School continued and Bishop Martin was happy to hear about responses of parishioners to this idea.  Bishop then gave his wholehearted approval to build a Catholic School in the City of Belmopan.

In January of 1995, Sr. Gregoria met with the then Prime Minister Hon. Manuel Esquivel who promptly got Ministry of Education to approve the establishment of the school.

Permission was finally granted in March 26, 1998 to establish the school.  The letter stated that Government would pay salaries of four (4) teachers.

After permission was granted the Parish Council and parishioners were more encouraged and started fundraising drives and other preparatory work for the realization of the school to come true.  An Ad Hoc Committee of nine interested parishioners was formed who made up a board.  The following were some of the activities done by the board:

1-      Formulation of Mission Statement and Philosophy of the school.

2-      School building project proposal.

3-      Fundraising letters to parishioners.

4-      School architectural plans.

5-      Application for title and survey of land.

6-      Renovation and partition of Parish Hall.

7-      Other logistics for the opening of the school.

On June 12, 1998 a Teaching Principal, Mrs. Teresita Sosa and three assistant teachers were selected.  Our Lady of Guadalupe School opened its doors on September 1, 1998 with 74 registered students at the Parish Building.

In September of 1999, a total of 160 students were enrolled for the 2nd school year.  The staff was then                               made up of Mrs. Sosa as teaching principal and six assistant teachers.

On November 1, 1999 Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish was informed by Reconstruction and Development Corporation that the Government of Belize had approved as a gift – Parcel #3869, Block 20 (the plot of land where the new OLOG school building would be located).  Thanks to the Government of Belize.

On May 5th 2000, the Ground Breaking Ceremony was held to mark the beginning of construction of the New Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic School building.  Thanks to Bishop O.P. Martin for finding a generous sponsor to see the realization of a dream.  The architectural plan was drafted by Structure Architects Ltd. (Julius and Anna Maria Espat).  The Steel frame was ordered from a Mexican firm, Cubiertas Acero Monterrey, at a cost of US127, 248.00.  The size of the building is 13,607 sq. ft.  The builder was Mr. Albert Brian Espat. 

Much work was put into the school by management, parents, teachers and the students that it became a recognized school in the community of Belmopan.  In September of 2000, a total of 270 students were enrolled in the school and the staff was made up of an administrative Principal and ten assistant teachers.  Work continued to give quality education in the school and towards completing the school building. 

On September 11, 2001 the new school building was opened for use by 340 children and a staff of 13      teachers.

The building was financed in the following manner:

Mr. and Mrs. Tom and Glory Sullivan……………….BZ$900,000.00

Government of Belize……………………………………..BZ$250,000.00

Parishioners of Belmopan………………………………BZ$ 50,000.00

Loan from DFC……………………………………………….BZ$100,000.00

TOTAL COST OF BUILDING………………………BZ$1,300,000.00