The objective of this article is to compare two antagonistic pedagogical models such as the beginnings of Escuela del Mar (1922), directed by Pere Vergés, and Escuela 26 de enero (1943) directed by Enric Gibert, in full francoism. The centers, in Barcelona, were in contact with nature.The first was located on the Barceloneta beach, and the second in the Guinardó neighborhood, where it is still located. From a methodology focused on the analysis of dimensions and study variables, differences, and similarities of the two centers in the initial moments of their creation are highlighted. For this, the treatment of primary documentary sources –periodic and non-periodic publications– has been used, together with the analysis of images of the time. Secondary sources contextualize all argumentative text. It is proved that both models promoted a way in principle hygienic-medical to see education, although in the case of Escuela del Mar there appeared a philosophy related to the students and the ideas of the New School and, instead, to Escuela 26 de enero, although there are also glimpses of pedagogical renewal activities, there is a Catholic and authoritarian model of submission of the child and, in short, of indoctrination, much more significant.