Our history
Since 1912, Belgrano Day School has built a path of excellence that combines academic leadership, character building and educational innovation.
More than a century later, that story continues in a bilingual and global proposal, guided by the Fac Recte spirit, educating students with integrity, sense, sensitivity, and the necessary tools to envision themselves securely in the world.
BDS Timeline
Over a century educating lifelong learners
The founding of Belgrano Day School
After a sound career as educator, English immigrant John Ernest Green founded Belgrano Day School as a response to the increasing educational demand of the British community in the neighbourhood of Belgrano R. On February 22nd, 1912, in a hall granted by San Andrew's Chapel, the institution started its first school year with only two students. On that day, began the story of academic leadership that, over a century later, is still transforming the future.
Oficial recognition of Primary School
Due to the continuous increase in enrolment of the student body year after year, in 1914 Belgrano Day School obtained the official registry of their primary school by the Department of General Administration of Private Education. This strengthened the institutional legitimacy of the educational proposal in the formal education system.
New quarters in Echeverría and Zapiola
With continuous increase in enrolment of the student body, the school set up quarters on the corner of Echeverría and Zapiola. This was a strategic location due to its close proximity to the train station and availability of green spaces, key to the practice of sports such as football and cricket, pillars of our well rounded education from the start.
The first Sports Tournament
In July of 1916, the first Sports Tournament was carried out, in which students annually participated in different sports disciplines. In this first edition, held in Palermo, BDS went up against other schools and obtained four victories in football and one in cricket.
Fac Recte: our institutional motto
Six years after its founding, Mr. Green decided to award the school with a motto that would guide the students´ education. Inspired on Horatio´s verse "Si recte facies, rex eris", the concept of Fac Recte was adopted. It's English equivalent, "Play the game", represents a philosophy based on integrity, purpose, and respect for others and for the common good.
Introduction of the Houses system
Following British tradition, the school organises its student body according to a system of Houses. Four houses were established, identified through a colour and a natural symbolism: North (blue, the sky), South (green, the earth), East (yellow, sunrise), and West (red, sunset). This structure gave way to the Interhouses, annual competitions in which students face each other in various sports.
Road towards a bilingual education
In 1938, BDS began to strengthen its bilingual education through the formal introduction of Spanish to its solid English education. This process was carried out through a strategic alliance with prestigious institutions, such as the National School "Teniente General Julio A. Roca".
Official recognition of Kindergarten School
What in the first decades of the school had started off as a British innovation in the educational field, by midcentury was already fully integrated into our educational system. Thanks to this, BDS´s Kindergarten was officially recognised.
First female students in the school
With a new space where to teach, BDS welcomed its first class of female students. Even though at first groups were separated by gender, this first group was the cornerstone to a gradual transition into the mixed-gender educational system that we now have.
New building for Primary School
After having originally functioned as the Girls´ School, BDS inaugurated a new building on Mendoza street. This development allowed BDS to centralise the whole of primary school in the same building we currently have.
Implementation of a mixed-gender system
The class of 1970 was a turning point in the school's history: for the first time, boys and girls shared a classroom and learning process. After the excellent results of this initial experience, the mixed-gender system was implemented throughout the whole school.
Diamond Jubilee and new sports premises
During the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the school, the institution acquired a new sports field of 23 hectares in the neighbourhood of El Talar. This field continues to offer a first rate environment for outdoor activities and community development.
Current characteristics of BDS
After a huge reform of the premises on the corner of Juramento and Conesa, the new Secondary School building was inaugurated. BDS had adopted its definite structure: Kinder (on Zapiola), Primary School (on Mendoza) and Middle & Senior School (on Juramento), and integrated all its sections in the heart of the neighbourhood.
Technological, educational and cultural innovation
As the climax of a long path of educational innovation, the school launched its integral project of Technology, Education and Culture. This initiative transformed the educational dynamic through total connectivity, first-rate equipment and the integration of technological tools in every area and level, including virtual classrooms, pioneers for their time.
Recognition as a Cambridge Fellowship Centre
BDS became the first school in Argentina to receive such a distinction. It is the highest recognition an affiliated centre can receive from Cambridge International Education. This status confirms the bond of excellence and cooperation that exists between both institutions, strengthening our standards of educational quality at an international level.
Belgrano Day School 100th Anniversary
The school celebrated its first 100 years, ratifying its position as a leading institution in innovative bilingual education. This anniversary was not only a celebration of our history and traditions, but also a renewed commitment to excellence and the values that define the identity of our community since 1912.
Implementation of the Dual Diploma
BDS incorporated the Dual Diploma programme, which allows our students to obtain a High School diploma from the United States of America simultaneously with our own local diploma. Through an extracurricular online course taken fully in English, this diploma works as an additional advantage when applying to prestigious universities all around the world, and strengthens students´ academic autonomy.
Incorporation of the International Baccalaureate (IB)
BDS incorporated the Diploma Programme of the International Baccalaureate to its educational proposal, strengthening its standard of excellence for its high school students. This internationally prestigious certification not only offers a rigorous academic education, but also promotes students' well rounded development, including physical, emotional and ethical development, awarding them a certification recognised by the most demanding universities in the world.
Our Anthem
The lyrics were written by John Ernest Green, and with the help of his nephews Richard and Edward Green, the anthem was musicalised.
Here’s to you, oh, Alma Mater,
BDS, we’re proud of your name
As the seasons go by,
We’ll stand here side by side
And sing out loud, Play the Game!
Here’s to you, Belgrano Day School,
May we all live up to your fame,
If we fail or we fall,
We will rise again
We’ll always keep playing the game
Giving always our best,
We’re BDS
And this is our song: Play the Game!
Our Coat of Arms
The Belgrano Day School coat of arms takes up a British heraldic tradition, historically associated with prestigious institutions. Its shape, inspired in models used by British nobility and academic institutions, expresses an identity that combines history, belonging and excellence.
Each element was thought of to express an educational vision based on integrity, honour, institutional soundness and the defence of ideals with character and purpose.
Its metals, colours and figures complete its symbolism. The gold and silver symbolise justice, mercy, truth, humility, and integrity. The green and black, hope, respect, prudence, wisdom, science and perseverance.
The lion symbolises authority and bravery. The caravel, universality, and the ability to chart courses. The Cabildo building, greatness, achievement, and protection grounded on wisdom and on the idea of serving the common good, even in the face of adversity.
Our House System
The House System is part of the identity of Belgrano Day School and strengthens students´ sense of belonging, community life and team spirit. North, South, East and West, represented by their colours and symbols, accompany our students’ path throughout their school journey. The Interhouses are one of the clearest representations of this system.
Our Flag
Belgrano Day School´s flag summarises the spirit of a community with history, values and a vision for the future. As an institutional symbol, it accompanies everyday life inside the school and it represents a way of learning, coexisting, and growing guided by the spirit of Fac Recte: with integrity, respect, a sense of belonging, and a commitment towards the common good.
Our uniforms
Belgrano Day School´s uniform expresses belonging, identity and care for a shared school experience. It accompanies our students with practicality, order, and consistency with our institutional spirit.
