Dominican School Manila

The school was founded in June 1958 by the Religious Missionaries of St. Dominic in response to the need to provide Catholic education to the children who live in the vicinity of UST, particularly its employees. Under the leadership of Sr. Jesus Ibargoitia, the superior of Sta. Catalina Girls' Dormitory and Sr. Esperanza Melgar, the secretary general, a two-room structure was constituted in May 1958.

A month later, the school opened St. Dominic's Kindergarten School with 79 boys and girls as enrollees. The rooms had all the facilities needed for the children to know and develop their skill and knowledge. To fulfill its mission of proving good Catholic education, its curriculum has religion as its core with Christ as the center. Their devotion to Christ and Mary was awakened and strengthened through religious activities.

In 1963, this structure was demolished to give way to the construction of a two-storey concrete building that can accommodate pupils from kindergarten to grade IV. From a thousand pupils in 1964, its population in 1996 increased.

In 1967, the school was changed to Dominican School, the name by which all congregation-owned schools are known in compliance with a directive of the DRMSD chapter of 1965. That year was marked by further improvements in the school's academic standard and engagement in an outreach program of providing catechetical institution to public school children in the neighborhood on Sundays. Towards the end of 1973, the school erected 18 classrooms more.

A community of sisters who will manage the school solely was also created between 1976 and 1979. Prior to this, the school and the Sta. Catalina Girl's Dormitory (now Sta. Catalina Ladies' Residence) were managed as one.

In 1987, the administrative building was renovated into a four-storey building with a building with a gymnasium at top floor. It also provided adequate living quarters for the Dominican community.

To meet the demand for better education, the administration and faculty members made various changes in the school curriculum. Aware of its responsibility as an agent for change, DS opted for the harder task of aiming at the emergence of a new Filipino, equipped with functional knowledge, desirable values, attitudes and habits and skills necessary to cope and creatively participate in the improvement of the quality of life for themselves and others.

On October 14, 1996, the cornerstone for a three-storey building was laid. The Building was another way of upgrading the services offered by the school. This building housed the school canteen and other offices.

More equipment and materials were procured for the use of the pupils and the staff. Academic programs were evaluated and revised. Assignments and teaching loads were also examined to find out whether the pupils were receiving the best instruction.

Additional personnel for the library, guidance office, canteen and teaching staff were also hired. DS continues to improve its facilities, and its academic program inspired by St. Dominic and guided by their shared mission of promoting the integral formation of the youths.

In School Year 2006-2007, DSM started operations for the secondary level in the newly constructed seven-story building. This is in response to the request of our parents and student who wanted to finish their education in their alma mater. True to its vision-mission of developing holistically the youths entrusted to our care, DSM Kept abreast campus training and seminar-workshops for Administrators, faculty and staff are conducted every year. In June 2010, DSM made the decision to adapt the Alternative Learning System Program to assist out-of-school youths who desire to finish Basic Education.

By June 2015, the school was also able to support a number of Grade 7 Students through the ESC Voucher Program sponsored by the national government and the Fund for Assistance to Private Education (FAPE).

DSM is also one of the schools, colleges and universities that opened its door to the Senior High School enrollees in 2016. These students were assisted by the Voucher Program of the Department of Education and the Fund for Assistance to Private Education (FAPE).

As an institution committed to providing quality education, Dominican School Manila continues its journey in promoting Truth, Compassion and Love for learning among its community members and stakeholders. Its diligent and tireless pursuit towards academic excellence is now recognized through the accreditation granted to the institution by the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges And universities (PAASCU).

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