A school that belongs

to its community.

The Garzón School is governed by the Asociación Civil The Garzón School, a non-profit foundation recognized by Uruguay’s Ministry of Education and Culture (MEC). This model ensures that our school is community-led, mission-driven, and fully reinvests its resources in students, teachers, and the long-term impact of education in Uruguay. In contrast with the for-profit education models common across the region, the Asociación Civil model means there are no shareholders and no external owners. Every decision made and every dollar spent serves a single purpose: to deliver the best possible education for our students and to contribute positively to society.

  • The Asociación Civil exists first and foremost to protect the school’s founding vision: a place where students’ needs, learning quality, and wellbeing always come before financial interest. As a non-profit entity, TGS can make long-term educational decisions guided by its mission rather than by shareholders or short-term pressures. This ensures that every dollar the school earns or receives is reinvested directly into its people, its programs, and its purpose.

  • The Asociación Civil model demands openness and shared responsibility. Every major institutional decision, from budget approval to leadership appointments, is overseen by a clear governance framework that is reviewed in annual assemblies and supported by public records. This means that families, staff, and the wider community can trust that TGS operates with integrity, that funds are managed responsibly, and that its leadership remains accountable to the collective it serves.

  • Schools that depend on individual owners or private investors often change direction when those individuals move on. As a community-owned, non-profit institution, The Garzón School is protected from that risk. The Asociación Civil structure ensures that the school’s philosophy, resources, and leadership transition smoothly across generations, maintaining continuity in purpose and identity while allowing for growth and evolution over time.

  • Perhaps the greatest strength of the Asociación Civil model is that it invites every parent and guardian to play an active role in shaping the school’s future. Membership is open, participation is encouraged, and dialogue is constant. Families are not merely clients — they are co-builders of an educational project grounded in shared values and collective trust. This sense of ownership and belonging is what gives The Garzón School its unique energy and resilience.

  • The Asociación Civil model enables The Garzón School to direct resources toward meaningful community impact rather than private profit, supporting our long-term goal of becoming a needs-blind institution where access depends on a student’s potential, not a family’s finances. By reinvesting surplus funds and mobilizing community support, the school sustains scholarships, outreach initiatives, and partnerships that open doors for talented children from all backgrounds. In this way, governance and social mission work hand in hand: every structural choice reinforces our belief that education should be a force for inclusion, fairness, and opportunity.

Purpose of the Asociación Civil

Every year, the school’s leadership team and Board report back to members on achievements, challenges, and the allocation of resources. This participatory structure makes The Garzón School stronger, more stable, and more aligned with its purpose.

In a region dominated by edu-businesses, The Garzón School stands apart as a non-profit institution built by and for its community.

How Governance Works

The Asociación Civil is governed by statutes approved by the MEC in January 2022 and amended by the General Assembly in March 2025. Members meet annually to review the school’s progress and vote on major decisions. Every three years, members elect the Board of Directors, which provides oversight, sets policy, and safeguards the mission.

  • The Asociación Civil operates under statutes (estatutos) approved by the MEC on January 3, 2022, and amended by resolution of the General Assembly in March 2025. These statutes establish the rights and responsibilities of members, define governance processes, and regulate the relationship between the Board, leadership, and membership body.

  • The General Assembly is the highest decision-making body of the Asociación Civil. It is composed of all members and meets at least once per year to:

    • Review and approve the Annual Report and Financial Statements.

    • Discuss the strategic direction and priorities of the school.

    • Vote on amendments to the statutes or key institutional matters.

    • Elect the Board of Directors every three years.

    Why it matters:
    The General Assembly gives families and community members a direct voice in the school’s future. It ensures that TGS remains a transparent, community-owned project rather than a privately held enterprise.

  • The Board of Directors (Comisión Directiva) is elected by the General Assembly to serve a three-year term. It provides oversight, strategic direction, and ensures that the school operates in full alignment with its mission and legal obligations.

    The Board’s responsibilities include:

    • Overseeing the financial health and sustainability of the school.

    • Approving strategic plans, budgets, and major projects.

    • Supporting and supervising the Co-Heads of School in policy and leadership matters.

    • Representing the Asociación Civil in legal and institutional contexts.

    Why it matters:
    The Board guarantees ethical governance and long-term continuity. It connects the community’s vision to the school’s day-to-day leadership, ensuring that decisions reflect both purpose and prudence.

    A full overview of the Board’s role and operating protocols can be found in the Board Manual 2025.

Our School Board

  • Bruno Varela

    President of the Board

  • Laure de La Baume

    Board Secretary

  • Carolina Pontelli

    Board Treasurer

Membership: Joining the Asociación Civil

Membership of the Asociación Civil is open to all parents and guardians of currently enrolled students, as well as individuals who wish to support the mission of the school.

By becoming a member, you:

  • Gain the right to vote at the General Assembly.

  • Help elect the Board of Directors.

  • Contribute to discussions and decisions that shape the school’s future.

Membership Requirements:

  1. Request a membership form from the School Office (TGS Campus).

  2. Return the completed form to the School Office with a copy of your ID.

  3. Renew your membership annually by confirming your participation at the General Assembly.

Why join:
The Asociación Civil is not just an administrative structure — it is the living expression of our school’s values: community, transparency, and shared purpose. Joining means taking part in building an institution that belongs to all of us and will serve generations to come.

Our Commitment

We believe that governance should model the same values we aim to instill in our students: agency, integrity, and collaboration. The Asociación Civil model empowers us to do just that, by making The Garzón School a non-profit, community-driven institution that serves the common good.

For questions about governance or membership, please contact: board@thegarzonschool.edu.uy