The first elementary school in Pérez Zeledón was established during Ascensión Esquivel Ibarra's government (1902-1906). It was called Escuela Mixta de Ureña and was in the Ureña district, south of San Isidro de El General's central park. After the Costa Rican Civil War the school was moved to a new building. It currently has the name ""Escuela 12 de Marzo"", in honor of the start of the Costa Rican Civil War. It had just ended when the school was rebuilt at its current location.