Rafael Hernández National College

The Colegio Nacional Rafael Hernández is one of the four public high schools that are part of the National University of La Plata, in the City of La Plata, Argentina. "Colegio Nacional", Spanish for "National College", carries the sense of "National Highschool" or secondary school. The other constituent highschools associated with this University are the "Víctor Mercante Lyceum", the "Bachillerato de Bellas Artes" ("Highschool for the Fine Arts") and the "Inchausti School for Agricultural Education".

The school, usually referred to as the "Colegio Nacional La Plata" (CNLP, National Highschool of La Plata), occupies a large block centred at the crossing of 1st and 49th streets in La Plata, at the edge of "El Bosque", La Plata’s main park. The large engraving at the old building's entrance reads simply "Universidad Nacional, Colegio" ("National University, Highschool").

Originally, the college was reserved for boys, whereas the "Victor Mercante Lyceum" was a girls-only school. The link of these schools with the University allowed them to pioneer innovations in curricula, since many University professors and teaching assistants were among its faculty. In its inception, the college functioned as a classic British boarding school, where students and professors lived together for extended periods of time. Admission into the school was free ("i.e.", no fees), although very limited and required approving strict entrance examinations. Until the 1970s, alumni from the school were automatically admitted into the University of La Plata. From the educational point of view, it was originally structured as a European gymnasium. It is considered one of the most prestigious schools in Argentina.

History

The Beginnings

The city of La Plata was founded in 1882, as the new capital for the Province of Buenos Aires. A boys-only school is created in 1885, the "Provincial Highschool", associated with the National College of Buenos Aires; classes began on April 1, 1885. On July 1887, the federal government converts the school in the National College of La Plata; the highschool is integrated into the National University of La Plata in 1905.

Locations

#Classes began at a temporary location at the corner of 9th & 47th streets.
#In 1886, the college was moved to a provincial building at the corner of 17th street and 51th avenue.
#Between 1907 and 1910, the highschool was located at the present site of the "Escuela Provincial Nº 1" and "Escuela Normal Nº 3", at the corner of 8th and 57th streets.
#In 1905, the national government granted lots for the new (and definitive) placement of the school. The land originally assigned to the college were much larger, and covered areas that are assigned today to other facilities of the University of La Plata.
#The college opened up officially in September 1910; it was known simply as "Colegio Nacional de la Universidad Nacional de La Plata". The instruction was inspired in a classic English boarding school; it included nearby residences for students and professors, the so-called “Greek Temple” gymnasium behind the school, and access to yachting at the central channel of the Port of La Plata. Its building, recently restored, has been named a heritage site. [ [http://www.rutacultural.com.ar/index.php?cat=27&subcat=38 La Plata Heritage Sites.] ] [ [http://www.unlp.edu.ar/articulo/2008/6/12/con_las_rejas_perimetrales__el_nacional_recupera_su_valor_historico Recovery of the Historical National College.] ]
#The school was later named after Rafael Hernández, a journalist, agricultural engineer, soldier, and politician who spearheaded the founding of the City and Port of La Plata, as well as its University. He was the younger brother of José Hernández, the author of the epic poem "Martín Fierro".
#In 2005, on the occasion of its centennary, the building underwent extensive restoration, supported by the then President of Argentina, whose family is among the alumni. [ [http://www.casarosada.gov.ar/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2342&Itemid=1 Restoring La Plata's National College to its former glory (in Spanish).] ]

Famous Alumni

* 1928 Ernesto Sábato (Argentine novelist)
* 1941 René Favaloro (Argentine physician, creator of the coronary bypass surgery)

List of School Headmasters ("Rectors")

References

External Links

* [http://www.nacio.unlp.edu.ar Website of Colegio Nacional Rafael Hernández (in Spanish)]