Colégio Santa Úrsula is part of UROSU (Roman Union of the Order Santa Úrsula), an international institution founded in 1535 by Ângela Mérici, in Brescia, Italy. Today, maintained by the Ursuline Sisters, it is present in 38 countries and guides its teachings in the motto SERVIR, guiding its students to live in the service of good, justice and peace. The institution's history was born from the desire of D. Alberto José Gonçalves, then diocesan bishop, to have a Catholic school in the city. To attend the diocese, the Ursuline sisters, already recognized by the educational tradition internationally, were invited to visit Ribeirão Preto. On February 14, 1912, Colégio Progresso was born, in a small cottage on São Sebastião street. The school was renamed Santa Úrsula only two years later, with the inauguration of the famous building on Rua São José. The Ursuline sisters' project became a reference in education and pioneering in Ribeirão Preto and, in the 90's, the imposing São José building was no longer capable of housing such a large number of students. In 1996, the new campus of Colégio Santa Úrsula would push the development of Ribeirão Preto towards the South Zone. The modern school, where nature and technology celebrate a perfect marriage, now houses over 1900 students - from babies, just three months old, to teenagers in the last grade of high school. The name Progresso, given to Santa Úrsula at its foundation, prophesied the institution's achievements throughout its centenary life!