Lucille Rupp School Celebrates 70 Years
Lucille Rupp Evangelical School: A Story That Began in 1956
The history of Lucille Rupp Evangelical School is closely connected to the educational changes that took place in San Juan de la Maguana throughout the 20th century. Alongside public and rural schools, denominational educational initiatives began to emerge in the 1950s, including the work of Lucille Rupp.
A Visionary and Passionate Woman
Lucille Rupp arrived in the Dominican Republic in August 1945. In March 1946, she moved to El Cercado, where she began serving as part of the Mennonite mission.
An Educator by Vocation
As a trained teacher, education became a central part of Lucille’s ministry. She dedicated herself to the Christian and general education of children, encouraging them not only to pursue their education but also to continue on to university studies.
A Vision Becomes Reality
In 1956, Gladys Montero Betancourt and Genoveva Ramirez Mendez proposed establishing a Christian school in San Juan de la Maguana. Their vision became a reality with the founding of Evangelical Southern School. The school began with just 36 students, with Lucille Rupp serving as its first director.
Expansion and Growth
In 1960, the school established its own building. By the end of the decade, enrollment had grown to approximately 450 students, a level that remained relatively steady through 1971.
From Evangelical Southern School to Lucille Rupp
After approximately 30 years of missionary and educational service in the Dominican Republic, Lucille Rupp completed her work in the country around 1975. In the years that followed, the school was renamed in her honor, becoming Lucille Rupp Evangelical School.
A Legacy of Education That Continues
Today, Lucille Rupp Evangelical School continues to be an important part of the educational community in San Juan de la Maguana.
As the school celebrated 70 years of ministry and education in September, the legacy of Lucille Rupp continues through the students, families, teachers, and community it serves. What began with a vision, 36 students, and a passionate educator has grown into a lasting educational legacy in San Juan de la Maguana, and we are thankful for the opportunity to partner with them.
The 70th Anniversary Celebration
The school hosted a variety of activities from September 21-27, creating opportunities for students, families, and the community to remember, celebrate, enjoy, connect and give thanks together. It was a meaningful week filled with moments to build relationships, celebrate our school community, and express gratitude.
A year ago, Solid Rock International launched the From Seed to Service campaign with a goal of raising $1.2 million between then and October 2027. As of today, we have raised $590,000 toward that goal. These funds will help cover operational costs until diagnostic revenue begins to be realized, while also supporting ongoing maintenance and future equipment needs.
We are incredibly thankful for the ways God continues to provide for the ministry through generous financial support and through medical teams willing to serve with their talents and expertise.
Online Store Coming Soon!
The wait is over! We will be running a 2 week online store featuring children’s and adult apparel during the month of October.
Now you can wear your support for SRI wherever you go. From comfortable everyday favorites to trendy pieces that help share the mission of Solid Rock International, there’s something for everyone.
❤️ Wear the mission. Share the mission. Be part of the mission.
Every purchase is more than just apparel—it’s an opportunity to help support the work of Solid Rock International as we serve communities in the Dominican Republic and work to transform body, mind, and soul. Stay tuned for more details and options.
Bucher Family Trip
At the end of June, the Bucher family traveled to San Juan to spend time with Alejandro and Hannah as they settled into their new roles as In-Country Directors. It was a meaningful opportunity to encourage them, hear about how they were adjusting, and spend time catching up with the rest of the SRI staff.
The team from Second Presbyterian Church in Roanoke, Virginia, was also staying at the guesthouse during their visit, giving the Buchers an opportunity to reconnect with the team. Braegan and Brantley especially enjoyed being involved in preparations for Vacation Bible School and exploring the barrios. It was a special time of fellowship, encouragement, and connecting with both staff and ministry partners.
Physical Therapy Education
In August, we had the privilege of hosting a team of physical therapy students from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. During their time in the Dominican Republic, they served at CAID (El Centro de Atención Integral para la Discapacidad), working alongside Dominican physical therapists to provide care to a variety of patients with different needs.
In addition to their hands-on service, Dr. Pamela Durr from Bradley University presented at CAID to local therapists and healthcare professionals. Her presentation focused on therapy interventions for children with autism who experience movement-related challenges, providing valuable insight and practical tools that can be used in caring for these children.
We are grateful for the opportunity to bring together students, professionals, and Dominican therapists to share knowledge, strengthen partnerships, and provide compassionate care to individuals with disabilities in the Dominican Republic.
We are pleased to share our annual report from the 2025-2026 fiscal year. We are confident you will be encouraged by all that God has done through our ministries in the Dominican Republic this past year! Click here to see the full report!
Staff Changes
Christian and Madison Powers have been serving SRI as Ministry Support Coordinators for the last 10 months! They have decided to commit to another year with us and will now be serving as Guesthouse Hosts! They will welcome our teams to the Guesthouse and serve them by providing meals, maintaining the Guesthouse property, and ensuring that their stay is comfortable. Please join us in praying for them as they step into a new season of ministry! You can support the Powers here.
