Lydia Patterson Institute

Lydia Patterson Institute is a Methodist Christian college-preparatory school located in El Paso, Texas, United States. Founded in 1913 it offers programs for Spanish-speaking children, primarily from Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua to attend high school in the United States and attend a Methodist graduate university. All high school classes are taught in English, and the school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.[2]

Lydía Patterson Institute
Address
Map
517 Florence St.


, ,
79941

United States
Coordinates31°45′19″N 106°28′56″W / 31.755216°N 106.482357°W / 31.755216; -106.482357
Information
School typeDonor Supported, Private, Coeducational
Motto"Building Bridges Where Faith and Knowledge Intersect"
Religious affiliation(s)Christian
DenominationUnited Methodist
Established1913
FounderLydia Patterson
PresidentCarla Cardoza
PrincipalMarisol Beltran del Rio
Grades712
GenderCoed
Enrollment<300
Average class size15-30
LanguageEnglish language & Spanish
CampusUrban
Campus typeClosed
Color(s)Burgundy and Grey   
Athletics conferenceTexas Association of Private and Parochial Schools & University Interscholastic League
SportsSoccer, Basketball, Volleyball, Baseball, Track and Field
MascotLion
NicknameLa Lydia
Team nameLPI Lions
RivalCathedral, Father Yermo, Loretto Academy
AccreditationSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools
NewspaperLPI Tribune
Yearbook"The Pattersonian"
School feesTuition
Tuition2018 - $500/month , $2,400[1]
Websitelpi-elpaso.org

History

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At the beginning of the 20th century in El Paso, there were very few educational opportunities for poor Hispanic boys. Since the State of Texas did not provide public education of any kind for non-English speaking students, most Hispanic children in the Second Ward were not receiving any formal education. Lydia Patterson, a Methodist laywoman, recognized the gravity of this problem, and in 1906, she began to set up day classes for boys in the homes of area Methodists. Upon her death in 1909, her husband Millard Patterson, a local attorney, decided to memorialize her by establishing the school that she had envisioned, and in 1913, construction began on the Lydia Patterson Institute.[3] In 1921, LPI became one of the first schools in the country to emphasize the teaching of English as a Second Language, or ESL, merging students into the appropriate grade upon completion of the ESL program.

References

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