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Sandra Santos is an educator, community builder, and the heart behind Foresta. Her journey began in Rincón, Puerto Rico, where she founded Foresta Rincon, a place known for its creative, outdoor-oriented learning experiences and supportive approach to bilingual education and cultural enrichment.
For years, Sandra also led Arts & Beyond Learning Center, a space where children explored art, creativity, and hands-on learning through camps, workshops, and interactive programs focused on individual curiosity and expression.
Through these early ventures, Sandra witnessed firsthand how nature, culture, and community can spark a child’s confidence and deepen their sense of belonging. Her work valued learning beyond desks and textbooks, emphasizing real-world exploration, language immersion, and personal growth.
As the years progressed, Sandra noticed something powerful:
children learned best when they were curious, engaged with their environment, and supported by both family and community.
This insight became the foundation for Foresta — a learning project deeply rooted in place, ecology, and connection.
A New Chapter in Cabo Rojo
Inspired by the beauty of Puerto Rico’s ecosystems and the spirit of bilingual families, Sandra envisioned Foresta as more than a classroom — a community of learners where:
Language grows naturally through experience, not drills
Culture is lived, not memorized
Nature becomes both teacher and classroom
Projects connect what children feel, see, and wonder about
This vision led her to establish Foresta in Cabo Rojo, where coastal landscapes, natural reserves, and local culture create a rich backdrop for learning. Here, children explore language, arts, science, and community through purposeful, hands-on projects that honor both the human and natural worlds.
What Drives Her
Sandra believes that when children are given space, encouragement, and meaningful experiences, they don’t just learn — they thrive. Her approach is inspired by:
Playful curiosity
Language as a bridge between cultures
Respect for the environment
Learning rooted in lived experience
Foresta continues Sandra’s lifelong commitment to education that invites children outdoors, into community, and into deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.
Legacy and Purpose
From creative play at Arts & Beyond to rich outdoor learning at Foresta Rincon, Sandra’s work has always centered on one idea:
Learning is not a place — it’s a lived experience.
Today, Foresta carries that idea forward — inviting families to explore language, culture, and nature together, beyond the classroom and into life.
Our Co-Founder
Our Co-Founder
Carlos Tort, Soil Engineer
Carlos Tort, Soil Engineer
Carlos Tort is a soil engineer with more than 20 years of professional experience in civil engineering, construction, and project management across Puerto Rico, the mainland United States, and the Caribbean. Throughout his career, Carlos has worked on infrastructure, buildings, coastal projects, and complex developments, always with a deep respect for the land and an understanding that everything we build begins with the soil beneath our feet.
Raised in Puerto Rico and educated as a civil engineer, Carlos developed an early fascination with how nature works—how water moves through the ground, how plants interact with soil, and how human decisions can either respect or disrupt natural systems. This perspective has shaped both his professional path and his personal philosophy.
As Co-Founder, Carlos brings a strong analytical and scientific foundation to the learning experience. He believes children learn best when concepts are connected to the real world—when they can touch the soil, observe patterns, ask questions, and discover answers through hands-on exploration. His approach blends engineering thinking with environmental awareness, helping children understand cause and effect, systems, and sustainability in a natural and intuitive way.
Carlos is also a strong advocate of project-based learning, where curiosity drives learning and children develop problem-solving skills by engaging with real situations rather than abstract lessons. His goal is to help create a learning environment where children feel empowered to explore, build, question, and respect nature—while developing confidence, critical thinking, and a lifelong love for learning.
Our Values
Nature as Teacher
Learning grows through direct connection with the natural world.
Child-Led Learning
Each child’s rhythm, curiosity, and voice are respected.
Time and Space
Meaningful learning unfolds without rush or pressure.
Learning Through Experience
Understanding is built through movement, exploration, and hands-on discovery.
Integrity and Responsibility
We act with honesty, care, and accountability in our work with children, families, and community.
Community and Connection
Learning is strengthened through trust and shared purpose with families
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