Santiago College history

In 1882, after a great effort by the founders, the school had a significant increase in students and it was necessary to move to a larger building at 219 Alameda de las Delicias.

The Transit and Building Fund Society, formed by Bishop William Taylor, was in charge of the school and in 1886 they acquired land for 35,000 pesos on the corner of Agustinas and Brazil streets for a new building.

According to documents of the time, the school which opened in 1887 was the best establishment for women in terms of modernity, space and equipment.

Elisa Parada de Miguel (class 1893), was the main benefactor of the new Los Leones building.

In 1904, after 20 years working in SC, Adelaide Whitfield went to the United States with her husband, Ira La Fetra.

In 1915, Santa Ana Junior College opened its doors to 25 students as a department of Santa Ana High School.

The Finer Humankind Award was instituted in 1925 and symbolizes a set of values that students have learned during their school life: tolerance, joy of living, responsibility, integrity, courtesy, leadership, solidarity, and high academic commitment.

On October 1, 1930, the school celebrated its Golden Anniversary.

In this ceremony, the “English Award” is presented, established by Graciela Balbontín de Bravo, from the class of 1931, which honors the student who has obtained the highest grade point average in the last four years in the English.

For many, the school’s golden age began with her arrival in 1933, as under her direction Santiago College grew and came to be considered one of Chile’s most important educational establishments for girls.

A bond issue passed in 1945, paving the way for development of a 48-acre campus at the corner of 17th and Bristol Streets.

The school celebrated its centenary under the direction of Rebeca Donoso (class of 1959). However, the number of students and the sports practices that a mixed school demanded at that time was beginning to be limited by the Los Leones site.

In 1971, Santa Ana College officially separated from Santa Ana Unified School District to form the Rancho Santiago Community College District.

Santiago College opened its doors to boys in March 1972.

In response to population growth in east Orange County, the district purchased 30 acres from the Irvine Company in 1978 where Santiago Canyon College now stands.

The medals were incorporated in 1980, the year in which the first boys’ class entered SC.

In an interview published in the Alumni News in 1984, Rebeca Donoso, headmistress of SC at the time, referred to incorporating boys, noting that, “we are supposed to live in a mixed society in which men and women naturally coexist.

The first permanent classroom building was opened in 1985, offering comprehensive programs as well as a full range of student services such as admissions and registration, financial aid, academic advising and job placement.

The International Understanding Award was presented for the first time at the beginning of 1992 by the European Council of International Schools.

She is a former student, daughter of the well-remembered teacher Lorna Scott and was appointed by the High Council as Headmistress in November 2004.