** Note: We did not include the international schools in this article.
In the quest to do what’s best and find the best for our children, one thing that most parents agree on is that education is forefront in their development. Depending on what you as a parent think are the most important values, or if you actually come from one of these schools and know about its virtues and advantages, we usually look to these following schools as #Goals to put our children in. This is perhaps, mostly because of the alumni we see that come from these schools, or what these schools have taught us and those who came after us. Perhaps you like their curriculum and the facilities and programs that are offered, whatever the case, these are the schools that usually come up on every Filipino parent’s list.
THE SCHOOLS
Ateneo Manila University – Quezon City
If there was a school that needed no introduction it is Ateneo. Spanning all grades, from kinder all the way to college, Ateneo de Manila has always been known as the premier boys school in the Philippines. With a long list of celebrated alumni in its wake, like our National Hero Jose Rizal and have had 5 Philippine Presidents roam its halls.
With a big sprawling campus, it isn’t a surprise Ateneo is one of the more sought after schools.
Miriam College – Quezon City
Formerly known as Maryknoll, the all girls school that is right beside Ateneo. Just like Ateneo, the list of alumnae is long, which includes a former beauty queen, Margie Moran. It has since expanded and has opened a new campus in Nuvali in the south of Manila. They also boast programs for the deaf.
Poveda – Mandaluyong
The alumnae boasts of having daughters and granddaughters of past Presidents and luminaries, as well as the students themselves who have now become celebrities in their own right. One of the alumni, Noelle Wenceslao, was the first Filipina to scale Mount Everest in 2007. Politician Imee Marcos, and the actresses Kris Aquino and KC Conception also are alumni. The international fashion designer, Mich Dulce, is also an alumni. Their curriculum is known to be one of the more progressive in a traditional school, with a learning module that encourages the students to do independent work.
PAREF Woodrose – Muntinlupa
One of the more conservative schools on this list, Woodrose (as it is more widely known) is known for its competitive academic environment and social conservatism (prospective students must present their parents’ marriage certificate in order to gain admission).
St. Scholastica – Manila
Also with a huge list of alumae to boast, including being the school to a former President Corazon Aquino, St. Scholastica is known for being part of the outh Manila Inter-Constitutional Schools along with De La Salle University, Philippine Women’s University, Philippine Christian University, Adamson University, Philippine Normal University, and the St. Paul University Manila. This means that if you are there in a university level, your credits and subjects will and can be carried over to any of the sister schools.
Xavier School – San Juan
An all boys’ school in San Juan, Xavier is known to be mostly Chinese. It was founded by the Chinese Jesuits that came from but were expelled from China. They are known for the high standard of education that they teach their students. Most methods of learning are based on Chinese practices. The students are all taught Mandarin as part of the curriculum. Along with Filipino and the instruction is mostly in English. It is widely known that the admission is highly competitive and is done, usually, from Kindergarten. They too have opened up a branch of their school in Nuvali.
ICA (as it is more commonly known), is the all girl equivalent to Xavier School. Their campuses, like Miriam and Ateneo, are actually side by side in San Juan. ICA is known for instilling a Chinese standard of learning, as well as being devoutly Catholic. Notable alumni are Tessie Sy- Coson who is the eldest daughter of Henry Sy, Sr., founder of the SM group of companies. She is now head of this along with her brothers, and Gretchen Ho, the breakout volleyball superstar and model.
La Salle Green Hills – Mandaluyong
Rivaling Ateneo, La Salle Greenhills is an all boys’ school in the San Juan and Mandaluyong boundary. It has been known to churn out very successful alumni. Such as Edu Manzano, Gary and Gabriel Valenciano, Paeng Nepomuceno a champion bowler, Rico Hizon BBC Business anchor and reporter, and Senator Francis Pangilinan.
De La Salle Zobel – Ayala Alabang
This is the La Salle school that is co-ed, meaning they have both boys and girls in their student population. Their thrust is more of a holistic one. They have been known to have taught several of the top politicians. Like, Alan Peter Cayetano, and artists in the country today such as Bianca Gonzalez, Richard Gutierrez, Mariel Rodriguez. Also Rhian Ramos, Nathan Azarcon and gold medal winning athlete, Eric Buhain.
Colegio San Agustin-Makati
CSA as it is commonly known has a reputation of being the most exclusive of them all. Also being co-ed, it is situation in the middle of Dasmarinas Village in Makati. As with the others, the alumnae is wide and extensive. The list is in their Wikipedia page.
Decisions of where to go to school or which school to go to is usually dependent on location. But most are due to affiliation, whether you went there or not. These schools are known to have a certain prestige that comes with going there and being able to walk their halls. Perhaps it is the classmates that your child is exposed to. The programs they provide or even the state of the art facilities that are offered. In any case, their names already brings out a certain reputation. And depending on which you like best, it is where you send you child.
Wherever your child goes, just make sure that the curriculum and the social atmosphere is where your child can truly thrive in. And where they are happy. This will make the experience of learning that much sweeter for you, and for your child.
