Historical Development

The conception of the idea of opening a Catholic school came about on a Holy Thursday when Rev. Father Nazario Atienza and Silvestre Monakil, a Scout head watched the Young Rover Scout from a secular school preparing for a holy week procession in 1947. They thought of establishing a religious institution and this idea was brought into reality with the support of the people of Nagcarlan who became the institution’s incorporators and stockholders. Among these heroes and heroines are: Dr. Fidel Plantilla, Mr. Edilberto Vita, Dr. Federico Kampitan, Mrs. Rosa Manalang, Dr. Perfecta Kampitan, Mr. Pablo Aluquin, Mr. Gregorio Aruela, Mr. Vivencio Astronomo, Mr. Rosalio Corales, Mr. Alejandro Coronado, Atty. Pablo Cornista, Mr. Genaro Dorado, Dr. Florentino de Guzman, Mr. Urbano Landicho, Mrs. Victoria Lirio, Mr. Luis Orbeta, Mr. Zosimo Suiza, Mr. Castor Vita, Mr. Maximo Vita and Mr. Gabriel Vita. All of them had one common aim for the school and that is to produce God-fearing, law-abiding and well- mannered citizen.

The school was housed at the Parish convent. It was first registered in the Bureau of Private Schools as SACRED HEART JUNIOR COLLEGE and opened in school year 1947-48. It offered elementary and secondary courses and a two-year college course for “Elementary Teacher Certificate”. The school had Rev. Fr. Nazario Atienza as director; Mrs. Elisa Evidente and Mr. Senadrin as the Elementary and High School Principal respectively but was later succeeded by Mrs. Adoracion Orijola Sotomango and Mrs. Maida Monserrat-Virtucio as Junior Department Head. Three years after its establishment, the school failed to attain its objectives. In 1951 – 1952, the enrollees remarkably decreased which resulted to the closure of the College Department.

The administration was affected by the different changes. In 1953 –1954, the school was renamed “Nagcarlan Sacred Heart Academy” to regain its stability. The management was transferred to the Roman Catholic Bishop of Lipa, Rev. Fr. Saturnino Cay.

On May 23, 1959 the ownership and all the assets of the school were donated by the incorporators to the Catholic Bishop of Lipa, Bishop Alejandro Olalia.

However, the sailing did not turn out to be smooth; varied problems existed. Aware of the school’s conditions, the bureau revoked its permit to operate. The Administrators sought help and worked for the renewal of the permit. The request was granted with the promise that the school would do its best to meet the requirements.

In 1960, the decision was made for the closure of Elementary Department. Due to its limited resources, the school was unable to build necessary facilities. It never built the elementary building required by the Bureau of Private Schools. Nonetheless, the administrators decided to continue the operation for the high school level. The school was renamed Sacred Heart Academy and became the town’s parochial school.

In 1964, the help of the RVM congregation was sought. The Administration of the school was turned over to the RVM Sisters pioneered by S. Ma. Carmen Constantino, RVM as the first RVM Principal who served only for five months. Then S. Ma. Teofila Manalo, RVM took over for two years. She was replaced by S. Ma. Concepcion Olaivar, RVM (1966-1968) then succeeded by S. Ma. Josefina Fran, RVM (1968-1970) ; S. Ma. Salvacion Abasolo, RVM (1970-1976); S. Ma. Juliana Par, RVM (1976-1979); S. Ma. Dolores Verceles, RVM (1979-1980); S. Ma. Purificacion Lansang, RVM (1980-1984); S. Ma. Celina Marquines, RVM (1984-1986); S. Ma. Rosalina de Guia, RVM (1986-1991); S. Ma. Fe Saluta, RVM (1991-1992); S. Ma. Teresita Salanatin, RVM (1992-1997); S. Ma. Andrea Yee, RVM (1997-2000); S. Ma. Consolacion Atacador, RVM (2000 -2003); S. Ma. Marina A. Insigne, RVM (2003-2007); S. Mary Irene M. Cajandig, RVM (2007- 2009); S. Mary Grace O. Celocia, RVM (2009-2011), S. Ma. Ninfa T. Gemang, RVM S.Y. (2011-2015), S. Ma. Marissa T. Ardeta, RVM (2015-2019) and S. Ma Gilda J. Valmoria, RVM taking over this S.Y. 2019 - 2020.

The School celebrated its Silver Jubilee (25 years) in 1973 and Pearl Jubilee (30 years) in 1977 and Ruby Jubilee (40 years) in 1988 with lined-up activities participated in by the Alumni.

Since the turnover of the administration to the RVM Sisters, the academy has begun to prosper. The number of high school students continued to increase, so did the number of the faculty and staff. Improvements of the classrooms and other facilities were prioritized.

In SY 1995-1996, S. Ma. Teresita Salanatin, RVM headed the construction of a three-storey building with nine classrooms (now Assumption Building), as well as the H.E. room at the old convent.

Under the administration of S. Ma. Andrea Yee, RVM, the Sacred Heart Building was finally made into a concrete structure. The basketball court was constructed and the students finally enjoyed it during the sports festival on MIDES celebration on September 9 – 11, 1997. In the early part of the same year, octagonal kiosk was built. It was donated by the Family Council, having a great desire to really improve the quality of the school. In December 27-28, 1997, the school celebrated its Golden Jubilee (50 years) of educational existence as well as Alumni Homecoming. Outstanding Alumni were recognized and awarded. In the same year, twenty units of headset for the Speech Laboratory were acquired and installed at the second floor of the old building.

On December 16, 2000 under the management of S. Ma. Consolacion L. Atacador, RVM, the school was renamed “ST. MARY’S ACADEMY OF NAGCARLAN” as amended on June 28, 2000 with SEC Reg. No. 34541. The RVM Commission on Education with the approval of the General Council suggested that all schools will be named “St. Mary” in honor of our Blessed Virgin Mary, our Mother and Model. This decision was in response to a resolution made during the 1996 RVM Servant – Leader Administrators’ Assembly held last December 1 – 5, 1996 for the “adoption of a common name for all RVM schools with a common vision, mission, motto, uniform, greetings, school hymn, etc.” as a means of fostering and strengthening the Ignacian bonding among RVM schools and all its personnel.

As the student population grows, the development of more facilities are taken into account. In 2001, a covered walk was constructed. The MIDES Hall was kept cool with electric fans, and the sound system was made better for programs and other activities. The girls’ and boys’ comfort rooms were repainted and renovated. Books in the library had been updated, and more books were purchased as well as copying machines. Likewise, more units of computers were purchased, and the computer room had been repainted. In 2002, another four-storey building rose and was blessed on June 5, 2003.

In 2003–2004, S. Ma. Marina A. Insigne, RVM took over. The different buildings were given names: the four-storey building was named Mother Ignacia del Espiritu Santo, the foundress of the RVM Congregation, the three-storey building after the Assumption of Our Lady and the renovated one-storey building after the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It was during this school year that the old building (Church convent) was vacated and the school transferred to the current site.

With the construction of the Mother Ignacia Building, more improvements were done especially with the school facilities; additional computer units as well as equipment for the Science laboratories were purchased. Bulletin boards were provided in different places within the campus. Extra lavatories were constructed for the convenience of the students. Moreover, the institution assured everybody’s safety by hiring a security guard. Ventilation in the registrar, cashier, and the principal’s office was improved with the installation of air-conditioning units among the many improvements in S.Y. 2003-2004 was the construction of the canteen in the midst of the garden area; and the installation of thirty units more of headsets in the speech laboratory in order to accommodate fifty students at the same time.

In keeping the school abreast with the latest in technology, internet was made available in SY 2004-2005 in the computer laboratory as well as in other offices. The audio visual room was also improved with the provision of sound system and other technological gadgets. During the succeeding years, the registration, cashiering and accounting as well as library services were computerized. Later, the computerization of the grading system followed soon.

Further improvements in the school facilities were made with the construction of the covered court in summer 2006. This became the venue to keep the students engage in more productive activities such as sports and theater arts that enrich their talents as well as their skills. For the convenience and safety of the students, the Family Council made as a project the provision of a covered walk near the covered court and Sacred Heart Building. One of the rooms also in the Assumption Building was converted into a Chapel which can be used for religious activities of the different classes. A strategic place was chosen as location for easy access of the students and staff whenever they wish to visit the Blessed Sacrament or spend some quiet moment with the Lord. Pews in the chapel were made available through the generosity of the Family Council and the school’s different clubs.

In S.Y. 2005-2006, Elementary graduates from the public school of hard-up families were given access to quality Ignacian Marian education when the school was able to avail of the government assistance under the ESC (Education Service Contracting) and EVS (Education Voucher System) programs which are managed by Fund for Assistance to Private Education (FAPE). These programs provide financial assistance to elementary graduates in the public schools and continue secondary education in private schools.

Aiming for EXCELLENCE, the school started working for accreditation following the standards set by the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU) for schools offering secondary education.

The initial work on the accreditation process was continued by S. Mary Irene M. Cajandig, RVM when she took over in SY 2007-2008, the 60^th foundation year of the school. Determined to pursue the attainment of the school’s vision and mission, she exerted effort to introduce more improvements in the school. Curriculum and instruction has been enriched and made relevant following the 2007 Revised RVM Curriculum. More books, equipments and tools for the TLE laboratories were purchased and computer units were upgraded. More teachers pursued higher studies, attended in-house and out-campus seminars and workshops to keep updated with the latest trend in education. The RVM Pedagogy was also implemented guiding the teachers in facilitating the teaching-learning process enabling the students to learn the facts, skills and appropriate values pertinent to the lessons.

The effort of the school to continuously improve the curriculum and instruction was continued by S. Mary Grace O. Celocia, RVM when she took over as school head for S.Y. 2009 – 2010. Through her leadership the school passed in PAASCU Preliminary Visit last December 7-8, 2009 and now preparing for its Formal Visit. In her management significant changes took place like the continuous upgrading of school programs and review of strategic plans in different area. In addition, physical development become one of the major concerns. The Sacred Heart Building and clinic were renovated. To give more excellent service, Guidance Center was relocated at the back of the covered court while the octagonal kiosk was repaired and transformed to a music room. Repainting of the Principal’s Office and classrooms was also done. Facilities had its improvement too. The sound system was upgraded and centralized as well as the installation of internet in all offices.

In S.Y. 2011 – 2012, S. Ma. Ninfa T. Gemang, RVM hold the fort in managing the school. Her advocacy for faith and justice surfaced in the organization and went beyond to the aspiration of upholding QUALITY in Education. In her administration, the SMAN attained her goal for EXCELLENCE for the school successfully passed the PAASCU Formal Visit.

Sustaining the quality in education the school having been passed in the accreditation continues its mission of achieving excellence. When the S.Y. 2012 – 2013 begun K-12 Program was implemented to Grade 7 and it was persistently carried out by Grade 8 in the following school year, S.Y. 2013 – 2014. The readiness of the school in carrying out the program was supported by the RVM EMC through necessary seminars and trainings given to the administrators and faculty. Likewise, its compliance to the DepEd requirements was also served through the assistance given by the FAPE (Fund for Assistance to Private Education) on its regular In-service trainings and the updates handed in series of assembly given by the LAPRISADA (Laguna Private Schools Administrators Association). In the same year, S. Ma. Ninfa T. Gemang, RVM introduced the RVM Quality Road Map. The operating procedures on different offices were reinforced and intensified for the quality SERVICE that the clientele deserve.

In S.Y. 2013, 2014, after attaining a recertification status again as being Certified ESC participating school and maintaining its “Above Standard” rating, the institution was farther enthused to strive for more quality education. Indeed the school had its PAASCU Re-Survey Visit aiming for level II in the S.Y. 2014 – 2015. Furthermore, before the school year ended, the Department of Education approved the school application for the implementation of the Senior High School Program and the Federation of Accrediting Agencies of the Philippines (FAAP) granted the High School Program, LEVEL II ACCREDITATION STATUS after satisfactorily meet the standards and fulfilled the requirements of the PAASCU.

St. Mary’s Academy of Nagcarlan, bearing the Ignacian Marian Education maintains the quality education and endure the quality in education as S. Ma. Marissa T. Ardeta, RVM took over in the S.Y. 2015-2016. In this school year, the application for the Provisional Permit to operate the Senior High School Program was granted particularly, the offering of Academic Track, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) as its Strand. The unceasing professional growth of the school personnel became vital for the preparation to the education reform brought by the trend of the educational system.

In SY 2016-2017, the school opened a Senior High School Curriculum Program. In this year of implementation, SMAN offered an Academic Track and was permitted to offer STEM as its strand. Some Students who preferred to take up STEM from both public and private schools in the district enrolled here together with grade 11 Marians who had the same strand. Most of the Subject Area Coordinators were trained through attending seminars, workshops and other professional gatherings intended for the enrichment of the Senior High School Curriculum for them to be equipped in teaching Senior High School students. A constant alignment and articulation of the curriculum considering Junior High School to Senior High School was strengthened.

The following school year, 2017 – 2018, marked the school’s 70^th year of foundation. It also ushered in additional improvement like the new science laboratory for Senior High School, the installation of the wi-fi access in the library, and the repair of the classrooms at the Sacred Heart Building. With the help of the St. Mary’s Academy Parents and Teachers Association (SMAPTA), the installation of LED televisions in every classroom was made possible. At par with the continuous professional growth of the teachers in the continuous strengthening of both Junior and Senior High School curriculum for this school year produced the first batch of graduates of Senior High School under Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Strand.

In S.Y. 2018-2019, align with the school’s Philosophy, Vision and Mission and its Core Values, the school continues to keep updated in the latest trend in education and give quality education to its clientele. Another strand, Humanities and Social Science (HUMSS), for Senior High school was offered. At the middle of the school year, Math Score, an online Mathematics Tutorial was subscribed and included in the curriculum.

More improvements in the facilities were made: renovation of Sacred Heart Building, Prefect of the Students (POS), and Campus Ministry/Christian Formation Coordinator’s Offices, upgrading the sound system in the gymnasium, putting additional stockroom beside the gymnasium, reroofing and repainting of the stage’s ceiling, renovating the male and female Comfort room near the boys’ quarter, repairing and repainting the covered walks from the gate to the MIDES building and going to the Sanctuario of the church, construction of additional covered walks from the MIDES building to the POS office and going to the gymnasium, repainting and putting of whiteboard in every classroom, the steel cabinets and different furniture in the Home Economics’ room were purchased. All of these were made possible this school year.

This S.Y. 2019 – 2020, SMAN is working for another PAASCU Re-Survey Visit to maintain and to give quality education to its clientele as S. Ma. Gilda J. Valmoria, RVM, the school head take over.