HAPPY WEEKEND

St. Mary’s School offering int’l college prep subjects
Gina Dizon

SAGADA, Mountain Province -- The centennial year old St. Mary’s School (SMS) does not have a 100 year old name for nothing. Having graduated nearly 4,000 alumni since its establishment in the early 1900s , SMS which gained a record of excellence in the 1960’s having topped academic examinations continues to move on to quality learning.

SMS was newly incorporated by SMS alumni in 2003 from its former status as an Anglican mission school to Saint Mary’s School of Sagada (SMSSI) .

Distinct from public school secondary learning, the newly incorporated school offers elective subjects in second year till fourth year as advanced preparatory college subjects. The electives approach is now on its second year of implementation as a fundamental part of its five year plan from 2005-2010.

These subjects include electives on business math in preparation for commerce and accounting; advanced biology in preparation for biology as a major and nursing as a degree; art and design in preparation for fine arts; cultural anthropology and world religions in preparation for anthropology; and research and documentation.

Dr. Dennis Faustino, high school principal said the new curriculum is patterned after international standard which is widely applied now. At least eight hours are utilized per day for the regular and elective subjects.

Faustino who assumed as principal in school year 2005 served as vice principal at the International School in Manila and also as music and stage play director before moving to SMSSI. He found 150 students in school year 2005-2006. Enrollment increased to 205 in school year 2006-2007 and projects to have an enrollment of 250 this school year 2007-2008.

With a comprehensive curriculum, the school offers a balanced, enriched, and healthy mix of academics, sports, arts, and music for its students. Students have one microscope each in their science laboratory classes, have one computer each in their computer classes and have their own text books.

An impressive auditorium with stage lights and ample space for audience to sit by and watch a play or a concert, has launched a number of shows for the students and the community to watch.

The physical furnishings of the school to include well equipped classrooms with white boards, tables and chairs; well equipped art room, visual room, computer room; renovated offices, locker rooms and comfort rooms; and a well stocked library has been done with major support from the school’s alumni.

The physical upkeep of the school is maintained with initial support from philanthropist and businessman Alfonso Yuchengco who helped build the school in the 1980s after the initial school building was razed to the ground in 1975.

As part of the new curriculum of the school, SMSSI will be offering a 5th post high school year for interested high school graduates and other students as well who finished the regular secondary education to take advanced subjects in preparation for a college course.

An educational approach to help students take a decisive and informed course in college, the 5th year schooling will prevent college freshmen from shifting or dropping out early from school, Faustino said.

Not considered regular units however for first year college, exceptional grades gained in 5rth year may be considered in placement exams in SMS sister schools such as Easter College in Baguio City or Trinity College in Quezon City, the principal said. The 5th year schooling is projected to start school year 2008-2009.

This new curriculum for this private school is equipped with 17 talented and skilled teachers in their own fields. Religion is not a major qualification among teachers in this Anglican mission school. This interdenominational and intercultural school employs a Mormon, Roman Catholics and Anglicans as well. Teachers come from the Sagada’s neighboring town of Besao, Ifugao, Manila,Australia and the United States.

Two resident –foreigners, Janet Eason, an Australian artist; and American Kent Sinkey, computer programmer teach art and computer subjects respectively. The school sends regular summer classes for its teachers in universities in Baguio. First timer faculty go on a one-week visit at the International School in Manila.

Faustino manages the school with a sizable support from the alumni who provide at least half a million pesos for the students’ scholarship program. Scholarship for students had been earlier initiated and strengthened by former president of the Saint Mary’s School Alumni Association Frank Longid in the ‘90s. The school’s alumni led by SMS alumni organization president Engr Rufino Bumas-ang continued the effort of Longid, and also sponsor salaries of the faculty.

The nearly 3 million peso annual budget of the school is sourced from scholarship funds, faculty support fund, students’ tuition fees, government subsidy under its educational support fund, and other financial grants.

The philanthropist-principal donates his services free of charge aside from having advanced payment of computers and textbooks worth a million pesos. The school’s alumni especially those living abroad are doing exceptionally well in keeping the school going. Their passion for “home” is worth uplifting, Faustino said.

A major reason which makes the former IS vice administrator give his services free of charge here in this remote town of Sagada is the peoples’ passion for education. Every family here wants to have his child educated and earn a college degree, he said.