The Maria Jáuregui de Pradère Boarding School is a unique institution whose history in Buenos Aires, Argentina, dates to 1867.
This building was inaugurated on December 26, 1920 as the Maria Jáuregui de Pradère Asylum,
with Monsignor Copello blessing the new building, the then French Ambassador as godfather and
Mrs. de Pradère as godmother. Years later she was awarded the Legion of Honor from the
government of France for her philanthropy in Argentina.
In 1996 it also began accepting boys and regular students, but boarders are all girls from
impoverished backgrounds. The Maria Jáuregui de Pradère Boarding School is a non-profit
institution focused on those with the greatest need, where to this day it still overseen by the board
of the Ladies of Providence Society.
with Monsignor Copello blessing the new building, the then French Ambassador as godfather and
Mrs. de Pradère as godmother. Years later she was awarded the Legion of Honor from the
government of France for her philanthropy in Argentina.
In 1996 it also began accepting boys and regular students, but boarders are all girls from
impoverished backgrounds. The Maria Jáuregui de Pradère Boarding School is a non-profit
institution focused on those with the greatest need, where to this day it still overseen by the board
of the Ladies of Providence Society.
Beginnings: The Ladies of Providence Society established in 1867
In 1870 a yellow fever epidemic broke out, leaving even more homeless and
broken families. The Society then decided to formally establish the French
Orphanage (el Orfanato Francés) at a separate site in 1872. A second orphanage
broken families. The Society then decided to formally establish the French
Orphanage (el Orfanato Francés) at a separate site in 1872. A second orphanage
Escuela Hogar Maria Jáuregui de Pradère
Buenos Aires, Argentina
In the mid-nineteenth century Buenos Aires suffered a cholera epidemic that killed
thousands. Doña Ana J. de Lardapide, a Franco-Argentine, took the initiative to
formally establish the Ladies of Providence Society (Sociedad Damas de
Providencia) using her home as the initial site in 1867. The Society was soon
housing orphans, widows and young ladies arriving from France in what was one
of many European immigrant waves into Argentina in the latter half of the
nineteenth century.
thousands. Doña Ana J. de Lardapide, a Franco-Argentine, took the initiative to
formally establish the Ladies of Providence Society (Sociedad Damas de
Providencia) using her home as the initial site in 1867. The Society was soon
housing orphans, widows and young ladies arriving from France in what was one
of many European immigrant waves into Argentina in the latter half of the
nineteenth century.
By 1914 the orphanage was still growing. Doña Maria Jáuregui de Pradère, then President of the
Society after Mrs. de Lardapide’s death in 1872, donated a 10 acre plot (4 hectares) of land in the
village of Victoria, Buenos Aires, where a beautiful building was completed as a new school for the
orphans.
Society after Mrs. de Lardapide’s death in 1872, donated a 10 acre plot (4 hectares) of land in the
village of Victoria, Buenos Aires, where a beautiful building was completed as a new school for the
orphans.
Doña Ana J.de Lardapide
Founder, Ladies of Providence Society
Buenos Aires, Argentina
1807-1872
Founder, Ladies of Providence Society
Buenos Aires, Argentina
1807-1872
Entrance to the Pradère boarding school, completed in 1920
was opened in 1876 with room
for 40 girls, and in 1899 a new
site was built that could house up
to 90 orphan girls on land donated
by the city of Buenos Aires.
for 40 girls, and in 1899 a new
site was built that could house up
to 90 orphan girls on land donated
by the city of Buenos Aires.
The Pradère Boarding School for Girls Opens in 1920
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