Acronis, VirtualTeach and PSICORP Group open a new computer classroom at Escuela Rural Productiva in Tepetzintan, Mexico

Back in 2024, Acronis and VirtualTech supported a high school in rural Mexico with completion of two classrooms and building a third one. This February, we returned to Tepetzintan to take the next step. Acronis, VirtualTech, PSICORP Group, Annie Auger and Danick Paquette, two leaders from ITCloud, and the NGO Hábitat Comunal y Vivienda A.C.(Comunal) officially opened a fully equipped computer classroom, expanding the school’s capacity and bringing digital learning opportunities to its students.

Escuela Rural Productiva itself is the result of extraordinary community determination. Several years ago, young people in Tepetzintan had no adequate option to continue their education beyond secondary school. Rather than leave their community or give up on their studies, they approached the team of Comunal and asked for help designing and building their own high school.

Families contributed communal land. Parents and students participated in construction. Local materials were used. Through collective effort, the community reduced building costs significantly and created a school that reflects its values and identity.

Today, around 80 students attend the high school, many walking up to an hour and a half each way from 11 neighboring villages. Its educational model blends academic subjects with practical skills rooted in local culture. Students study mathematics, science, and literature while also learning melipona honey production, bamboo craftsmanship, food processing, and traditional herbal medicine. Spanish is spoken in class, and many in the community also speak Náhuatl. Preserving Indigenous language and ancestral knowledge is part of the school’s mission.

While the school’s foundation was strong, access to technology remained limited. The new computer classroom addresses that gap. It is equipped with new laptops, additional refurbished devices donated by PSICORP Group and Acronis employees, a printer, reliable internet access, school supplies, and new furniture that creates a welcoming learning space.

For many students, this is their first consistent access to digital tools in a classroom setting. It opens new possibilities for research, online learning, and future career paths.

During the opening ceremony on February 17, students, teachers, families, and partners gathered to celebrate together. The event included conversations with students, music, and time spent with local families. Students also took part in an interactive cyber safety session, learning practical ways to protect their personal information and navigate the online world responsibly.

The new computer classroom builds on the work that began in 2024. It reflects a long term commitment to supporting the school’s growth, strengthening digital inclusion, and helping students gain skills that will serve them in the future without disconnecting them from their culture. “For VirtualTech, this project represents the power of partnership and long-term commitment,” said Omar Navarro, CEO at VirtualTech. “We have witnessed firsthand the dedication of the students, families, and teachers in Tepetzintan. Expanding digital access through this computer classroom will open new educational and professional opportunities for these young people, strengthening both the school and the broader community.”

Escuela Rural Productiva stands as proof of what is possible when a community takes initiative and partners provide sustained support. What began as unfinished walls has grown into a school that combines tradition, resilience, and now digital opportunity.

Acronis Cyber Foundation Program welcomes individuals, groups, and companies to partner with us to work side-by-side with underserved communities to bring them hope through education.