The insurrection continued until 1902, and Avelino's step-mother died in 1905. Still longing to open a school, when she came out of mourning in 1907, Avelino sought the advice of Fernando Salas, a lawyer from a family of educators, and her friend Carmen de Luna. They decided to invest in opening a school in Manila which would be called the "Centro Escolar de Señoritas" (Central School of Ladies), modeled after a school Salas was running the "Centro Escolar de Varones". (Central School of Men). Each contributed ₱250 and used it to found the school located at 841 Iris Street, later called Azcarraga Street. Having little capital, but wanting to establish a modern, liberal school, Avelino approached educated women like Maria del Pilar Francisco, the first woman lawyer in the Philippines; Felisa and Domingo Francisco, cousins of Maria; sisters Filomena and Ildefonsa Amor; her cousin Garit Oliva; and Constancia P. Arrieta, all having graduated from Normal School. Salas proposed Josué Soncuya, a historian and lawyer; , a journalist and orator; and Alberto Campos, a former soldier of the Spanish army, and a journalist and educator. Soon after proposing his candidates, Salas withdrew his capital and ceased his involvement with the school.