Valenzuela City School of Mathematics and Science
| Valenzuela City School of Mathematics and Science Paaralang Pangmatematika at Pang-agham ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela | |
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A. Pablo Street, Malinta Valenzuela City, Metro Manila Philippines | |
| Coordinates | 14°41′13″N 120°57′59″E / 14.68694°N 120.96639°E |
| Information | |
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| Established |
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| Principal | Jameson H. Tan |
| Vice principal |
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| Number of students | 769 (for School Year 2014–2015)[1][2] |
| Medium of language | English, Filipino, Japanese, Spanish |
| Color(s) | Green and white |
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| Newspaper |
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| Affiliations | Division of City Schools–Valenzuela |
| Website | http://ph.shop.88db.com/valmasci/ |
The Valenzuela City School of Mathematics and Science (Filipino: Paaralang Pangmatematika at Pang-agham ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela), also referred as ValMaSci or VCSMS, is a specialized public high school in Valenzuela, Philippines. Established in 2003 as the Valenzuela City Science High School, it offers a special advanced curriculum with emphasis in the fields of mathematics and science to residents of the city. The school also has a specialized range of subjects in technology, engineering, and language.[3]
History
Valenzuela City Science High School
During the School Year 1996–1997, upon the direction of Jose Emmanuel Carlos, former mayor of Valenzuela, a Science Oriented Experimental Class (SOEC) was organized and housed at Valenzuela National High School in Barangay Marulas, with 40 academically outstanding students. On May 14, 2003 an ordinance establishing the school, under the name Valenzuela City Science High School, to be funded by the Local School Board of Valenzuela, was approved.[2]
On February 8, 2003, a memorandum was sent to all principals of public and private elementary schools of the city, requesting them to inform the graduating students of their school to apply for the qualifying examination in preparation for the upcoming admission of first year students in VCSHS. With 200 applicants administered, a total of 108 students passed the admission tests (consisted of an intelligence quotient test, proficiency test, and interview) enrolled at the newly established school with Brian E. Ilan as the first school principal.
From the original six teachers, the institution added eight teachers. Additional students making the VCSHS community larger as the years passed. At the beginning of the School Year 2005-2006, VCSHS transferred to its newly constructed building at A. Marcelo Street, Dalandanan, Valenzuela City. Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian inaugurated the new house and 4th year students entered VCSHS from various schools who took and passed the qualifying examination prepared by the school. During the School Year, Ilan was replaced by Lagrimas B. Bayle as the new school principal. Through her time, a recorded shortest graduation (as observed by teachers) happened for the 15 students of SOEC passing the 4th year curriculum of ValSci. By the School Year 2006-2007, another change of principal occurred when Genindina M. Sumbillo entered ValSci from Valenzuela National High School–Mapulang Lupa Annex in vice versa with Lagrimas B. Bayle. Before the end of School Year 2007-2008, Arneil D. Aro replaced Sumbillo who had been promoted as principal of Caruhatan National High School. And at the midst of the School Year 2011-2012, Edelina I. Golloso took the principal seat replacing Aro.[4] Ilan resumed his duties as principal, relieving Golloso of her overseeing duties starting the last quarter of the School Year 2011-2012. The following year, in September, Ilan was again relieved from the position, with Jameson H. Tan replacing him.[5]
New school campus
In early 2014, Valenzuela City Mayor Rexlon Gatchalian announced the construction of a new state of the art campus[6] under the name Valenzuela City School of Mathematics and Science. This is a part of the Education 360º Investment Program of the local government that included feeding programs, the provision of school supplies, and training for students, parents, and teachers.[7][8] Gatchalian, on the program, explained, "This is a large-scale investment to shore up the local education system."[6] Out of the ₱300 million budget allotted to the plan, ₱199 million was spent on the construction and outfit of the new school campus alone.[2][7] He said that the soon-to-rise school is the "best education investment [the] city has ever made."[6]
The groundbreaking of the new school site in Barangay Malinta was held on January 27, 2014. Gatchalian, the local government officials, the Valenzuela City Science High School faculty and students, and the Department of Education (DepEd) secretary Armin Luistro attended the ceremony.[9] The mayor said in his speech, "If you look at their NAT scores, their scores are one of the highest in Metro Manila. If you look at their UPCAT results, they have a very high passing rate every year. That's why we have to show the brightest and the most intelligent students of Valenzuela City that they will be entering the most modernized high school here in Valenzuela and we'll make sure that this will be the most pleasant science high school building in the Philippines."[9] He said in another interview that "these classrooms will be available for use when classes open in June this year."[7]
The changing of the school name from Valenzuela City Science High School to Valenzuela City School of Mathematics and Science gained much dispute around the school community.[9] Gatchalian responded to this, saying "The reason is because we do better in math compared to science". DepEd secretary Luistro told, "I'm okay with the name change but I'm more concerned with the substantial changes in the curriculum, the quantity of its graduates and how many of them will take math or science related courses in college."[9] The new name was proposed by city councillor Lorena Natividad-Borja. This was signed by the mayor as City Ordinance No. 120, which also includes the enhancement of mathematics program in the new school curriculum.[10]
The new campus was completed in August 2014, six months after the groundbreaking ceremony, and was inaugurated on September 1, 2014.[2] Luistro praised the city's education program saying, "I am very much impressed by this city's investment in education. Aside from this new city school, Valenzuela City has found solutions for the decongestion of schools within their area through the 'busing system,' by transferring students from one school to another."[6] Gatchalian, during the tour of the newly constructed building, said, "With something as grand as this, we want to stir an interest in mathematics and science among the youth in Valenzuela City." The four-storey school building is a full Wi-Fi zone[11] and contains 20 classrooms, which can hold 35 to 40 students each,[12] and physics and robotics, speech, computer, chemistry, biology, and mathematics laboratories.[6] Each of the six laboratories is equipped with an interactive Smart Board,[6][11] while the science (physics and robotics, chemistry, and biology) laboratories have two areas: one for lecture and another for experiments.[12]
Dubbed as the "crown jewel" of the city when it comes to educational investments, the Valenzuela City School of Mathematics and Science is said to be envisioned as part of the most high-tech and advanced mathematics and science schools in the Philippines.[11][6] To keep the building, its facilities, and other tangible concerns proper, the city government assigned personnel to function as building administrators.[13] Classes at the new campus began on September 8, 2014.[14] Luistro said, "My prayer is that Valenzuela City School of Mathematics and Science may produce the best and brightest scientists of the country."[6]
Admission
To be admitted to the Valenzuela City School of Mathematics and Science, the applicant must be a bona fide resident of Valenzuela City; must not have a grade in any subject during his elementary school lower than 85; and must pass the admission exam. Applicants who have obtained at least 75% of the admission test are considered for admission. No students will be allowed to enroll in the next school year unless an average of at least 85% is maintained in all subject areas.[2] According to City Ordinance No. 120, the top two students of each graduating elementary batch of Valenzuela City public schools are exempted from taking the exam and will be automatically admitted to the school, if they choose to accept the offer.[2][15]
References
- ↑ "Gatchalian wants Public Math and Science High School in every province". WinGatchalian.com. Sherwin Gatchalian. September 1, 2014. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Cañete, Rafael (2014-09-01). "High Tech HS Campus to Lure in Math Wiz, Junior Scientists". ValenzuelaAko. City Government of Valenzuela. Retrieved 2014-09-03.
- ↑ Urieta, Michael King (August 11, 2011). "ValSci Students Bag 1st Place In Metrowide Science And Technology Quiz Bee". ValenzuelaAko. City Government of Valenzuela. Retrieved September 8, 2014.
- ↑ "Home". www.valsci-edu.weebly.com. Retrieved 2012-12-23.
- ↑ Cabalar, Vincent A (June 2013 – March 2014). "ValSci greets its new principal with warm smiles". The Equilibrium (IV) (Valenzuela City Science High School). p. 16.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 "Valenzuela City opens new, state-of-the-art Mathematics and Science public school". Official Gazette. September 1, 2014. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Melican, Nathaniel R. (February 9, 2014). "Valenzuela gov't allots P300M to save slow and non-readers among students". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inc. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
- ↑ "Our Youth, Our Inspiration: The Valenzuela City Education Action Plan 2014" (PDF). Valenzuela.gov.ph. City Government of Valenzuela. January 27, 2014. Retrieved September 8, 2014.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 De Guzman, Athena Ira M. (June 2013 – March 2014). "Construction begins for new VCSMS". The Equilibrium (IV) (Valenzuela City Science High School).
- ↑ Tropel, Jean Andaquid. "CO. No. 120 Renames VCSHS to ValMaSci". Valenzuela City School of Mathematics and Science. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Garcia, Danilo (August 29, 2014). "Campus na tututok sa robotics, matematika, itinayo". The Philippine Star (in Tagalog). MediaQuest Holdings. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Felipe, Carlo Suerte (September 1, 2014). "Math and science school unveiled in Valenzuela City". Manila Bulletin. Manila Bulletin Publishing Corporation. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
- ↑ Staff (September 28, 2014). "Mayor Rex, Coun Lorie Inspect ValMaSci Operations". Facebook.com. City Government of Valenzuela. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
- ↑ Staff (September 8, 2014). "Valenzuela City - NOW: Welcome students of Valenzuela City School ...". Facebook.com. City Government of Valenzuela. Archived from the original on September 8, 2014. Retrieved September 8, 2014.
NOW: Welcome students of Valenzuela City School of Mathematics and Science! Students and teachers of #VALMASCI hold their classes for the first time at the school's new 199 M-Peso campus in A. Pablo Street, Malinta. #FirstDay #Education360
- ↑ "Valenzuela City School of Mathematics and Science - Student". Retrieved 2014-09-01.
