Gangs began to appear, children dropped out of the new schools they were sent to or skipped school, and parents began to worry about the outcome of such a situation. Facing these problems, the community of Juan Domingo formed a coalition and began to pressure the government to demand that the school be reopened. La Nueva Escuela was rescued and reopened in 1990. The entire community, with a couple of parent-leaders at the head, was mobilized in a massive effort to gather all the materials and the work force necessary in order to rebuild the physical structure and make it functional once again. La Nueva Escuela was born of and relies on the consistent participation of parents and other community members.
Several parents work in the school.
They are present in all aspects of school life, including the administrative and educational process, curriculum development, discipline, and in the protection of the school s surroundings. All of the school's accomplishments have been attained through collaborative efforts. It is common practice at the school to make important decisions in a consensual manner and through a dialogue that includes the voice of parents, teachers, and students. Our daily responsibility is to remain active and involved in this collaborative and humanist effort, to build a school around the needs and demands of our children. We understand that students are not isolated individuals who leave their communities, families, realities, and experiences behind when they enter the classroom.