Database of Benedictine Schools Worldwide

Philippines

Name and Address of School

Head of School
St. Scholastica's College Sr. Angelica Leviste, OSB
2560 Leon Guinto Street
Malate
Manila
Metro Manila 1004
RP-

Phone

 +63 (2) 524 7686 to 89

Fax

 +63 (2) 521 2593

e-mail

Web Site

 www.ssc.edu.ph

Type of School

 Day

Co-Ed

 no

Number of Students

 6523

Age range

 6-22

Male

 19

Number of teaching Staff

 470

Female

 6504

Staff of Religious Order

 14

Religious Diversity

 Mostly Catholics

Ethnic Diversity

 Mostly Filipinos

Address of Head where different from above

Phone

 +63 (2) 536 2330

Fax

 +63 (2) 521 2593

e-mail

School Statement

HISTORY 
St. Scholastica's College (SSC) is a Catholic institution approved by the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and accredited by the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU). SSC was founded on 3rd December 1906 in a small residential house in Tondo by Mother Ferdinanda Hoelzer, OSB and four other Sisters. The school started with six paying students and fifty in the free section. 
The following year, the Sisters moved to San Marcelino for more space to house the high school department and some student boarders. In the same year the Conservatory of Music was opened. Under the able leadership of Sr. M. Baptista Battig, OSB, a famed concert artist prior to her convent days, SSC became known for pioneering music education in the Philippines. In 1914, the school moved to a much larger area in Singalong, its present site. Foreseeing the need for advanced education for women, the Sisters obtained government permission to operate an institution for higher learning and in 1923 graduated their first college students. In subsequent years, course offerings increased which necessitated the expansion of its physical plant. When the Board of Education Survey confirmed the report of the Educational Survey Commission of 1925, it named St. Scholastica's College one of two schools representative of those maintaining "the highest standards with reference to physical plant, equipment, teaching personnel and methods of instruction". 
World War II razed SSC's school buildings but not its spirits. The war's end in 1945 meant a new beginning for the school. 
Today, SSC offers preparatory to graduate education to its countless young girls, women and men. In addition, the school provides formal education to young women who cannot enrol in a regular high school through the Night Secondary School. From the start, SSC has striven for academic excellence as part of its idea of service to God and the Filipino people. As an instrument of the Church, it adheres to the Church's mission of liberation of all people from all forms of injustice and oppression. In 1975, the school made a definite thrust for social justice in adopting the thrust of "education for justice and social transformation". Its various curricula, teaching methodologies and co-curricular activities were re-oriented towards social awareness/involvement and commitment of the whole academic community to the resolution of vital contemporary issues. This recognition of current reality has led the school to shape itself into a socially oriented school. 
In 1985, celebrating its tenth year of social orientation, the school's College Unit initiated the Women's Studies Program which enabled students to become aware of gender issues and seriously reflect on the injustices committed not only on women but on children and the disadvantaged groups as well. This program developed into awakening the consciousness and providing an understanding of the women question through the Institute of Women's Studies (IWS) which is an affiliate body of SSC. 
The IWS aims at formal educational strategies, research and studies pertaining to gender issues. It also continues to initiate and administer projects promoting the cause of women and to provide outreach programs that serve women outside formal institutions. Remaining committed to further educate the public regarding women's issues and concerns, the school officially started its graduate program - MA in Humanities major in Women's Studies in 1997. 
Today, SSC continues to live up to the ideals set forth by its patrons, St. Benedict and St. Scholastica. Remaining committed to the ideals of Ora et Labora, it strives to make SERVICE the axis of its heritage and vision. 

CHARACTERICTICS 
The Benedictine education one receives in SSC is characterised by: 
1. A constant growing in life of Ora et Labora; 
2. A rich liturgical and spiritual life on campus made possible through strong religion and Theology programs; 
3. A shared community life; 
4. An emphasis on academic freedom, academic excellence, social responsibility, nationalism, heritage, culture and the arts, respect for the environment and advocacy of women's empowerment. 
5. An emphasis on liberation education and a well grounded liberal arts tradition that aims to develop students into "whole" and self-directed life-long learners; and 
6. A posture of "listening with the ear of our hearts" to each other and to present social reality linked to a commitment to social justice, transformation and equity for all. 
SSC also provides an environment that nurtures research and innovation, emphasises the benefits of networking and linkages and allows sectoral representation in all policy-making bodies.

Exchange Note

SSC continues to search for and co-ordinate with educational institutions for linkages that can provide for faculty and student exchanges and for the further development/upgrading of physical and academic support resources.

If the above information is wrong or incomplete, please contact: webmaster "at" b-e-net.org