Dominican School Manila
Dominican School Manila, founded in 1958, is a private school run by Dominican nuns. It is located at A.H. Lacson St., Sampaloc, Manila. The school is located near the University of Santo Tomas.
History
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 pupls 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 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.
DS can boast of a seven - storey building for the students in High School starting S.Y. 2006–07. This is in response of the request of the parents and pupils who wanted to finish their basic education in their alma mater.
Notable alumni
- Sarah Geronimo
- Angeline Quinto
- Eula Valdez
- Luis Azcona
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