About the School
In December 2003, Bahia Street was able to buy an old building in the centre of Salvador to house the school, made possible by a generous interest-free loan from two long-time supporters of Bahia Street, Margaret Schulte and Barry Stellrecht. The building, which dates from the early 19th century, needed to be almost completely rebuilt. Bahia Street kept the historic front facade of the building and redesigned the interior to best fit the school’s needs. An architect in Salvador drew up plans that include classrooms, a library, technology room, kitchen and dining area, exercise area, several bathrooms with showers, and reception and administration rooms.
For the 2005 school year, with the combined efforts of Bahia Street staff, local construction help and other community members, we were able to open the new Bahia Street School for classes using the first two floors, which included classrooms, library, administration area, bathrooms, and kitchen. Through the very generous donation of the Dawson family, Bahia Street repaid the entire loan of the building.
As of 2011, the Bahia Street School is complete after 8 years of rebuilding and refurbishment, made possible through the generous contribution of many individual donors and several foundations. The Bahia Street School is now a five-storey building with a modern kitchen, dining area, science laboratory, an outside play area, and more.
View a photo slideshow of the finished Bahia Street School or view the photo album.
