St Michael Academy
Location
Catarman , Northern Samar , 6400  Philippines
Information
School type	Private Dominican
Motto	"In the Service of Truth"
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Established	1946
Status	private, sectarian, non-stock secondary school
Authority	Congregation of Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena - Philippines
Principal	Sr. Enriqueta B. Arnaiz, OP
Teaching staff	34
Enrolment	760
Language	English; Filipino
Nickname	Michaelians; SMAers

St. Michael Academy, a private, sectarian, non-stock secondary school, is the first and the only Catholic learning institution estabilshed in the heart of Catarman, capital town of historical Northern Samar, owned and operated by the Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena - The Philippines; thus, the only Dominican educational institution found in the Samar - Leyte region operating since 1946.

History

In Catarman, Northern Samar, the very first educational catholic was established last June 1946. This favored the request of the late Most Reverend Miguel Acebedo D.D., the late bishop of Calbayog to the Prioress General of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena, Reverend Mother Ma. Natividad Pilapil, O.P.

She sent Sr. Teresita Hacbang , O.P., Sr. Rosa Santiago, O.P., and Sr. Magdalena Quisay, O.P. who pioneered in the administration of Saint Michael Academy. With them in the newly organized Board of Directors: Fr. Potenciano Ortega (then Parish Priest of Catarman), Atty. Mariano Singzon, Don Ignacio Lahorra, Senior Francisco Arraiza, Senior Bernabe G. Figueroa, Judge Alberto Lim and others who contributed in planning for the first school year. They used the residence of Mr. Balite and Ms. Fulgencia Cardenas. The Bishop saw the need for better instruction, and leased a parcel of the land where a two-storey building was constructed, next to the church.

In its early year of operation the school offered elementary, secondary, and college courses, and after three years, St. Michael Junior College successfully produced 21 graduates in Associates of Arts, 28 graduates in Bachelor of Elementary Education and 17 graduates in Bachelor of Secondary Education.

However, the college courses only lasted for a year, and later on, the elementary course was phased out while the secondary its offering solely for secondary level up to the present.

To keep fit with the new educational trends and ensure effective and quality education, steps toward ongoing developments in all aspects the school have been initiated. This move has been reinforced by the several recognitions garnered by the students and the school itself. The school had undergone CEV -1 in 1995 and CEV – 2 (Congregational Evaluation Visit last February 2000). Toward the end of SY 2003 - 2004, the ESC Certifying Team from Department of Education Regional Office evaluated the school in all areas of operation and rated SMA as one of the excellent schools in Region VIII.

The latest innovation of the school is the integration of Computer Education in the curriculum with Internet access from first year to fourth year levels. Likewise, the school adopted the Basic Educational Curriculum (BEC) with Religion / Values Education as the core curriculum being a Catholic and Dominican.

Hopefully, in the near future, SMA will become a PAASCU Accredited school with the able assistance of SMA Family Council, SMA Alumni Association and all the Staff and the Students.

Vision - Mission

Vision

"We, the community of St. Michael Academy, a Filipino, Dominican – St. Catherine of Siena School in the Diocese of Catarman, commit ourselves and participate actively in the evangelizing mission of the Church by proclaiming God’s kingdom through a quality catholic education inspired by the Dominican ideals of Passion for Truth and Compassion for Humanity through the missionary spirit of our Foundress, Mother Francisca Del Espiritu Santo.

We envisioned a transformed society built on Love, Peace, Justice and Integrity of Creation."

Mission

"Inspired by this vision, St. Michael Academy, a Marian and Gospel-centered institution will be a center of excellence by providing competent and mission-oriented individuals. We will uphold its identity by developing an innovative and child–centered curriculum, fostering parental and parish involvement through an active extension services and promoting meaningful collaboration among technologically and ecologically enhanced clientele."

Alumni

Y2K BATHCES

'90s BATCHES

• BATCH 1999
• BATCH 1998
• BATCH 1997
• BATCH 1996
• BATCH 1994
• BATCH 1993
• BATCH 1992
• BATCH 1991
• BATCH 1990

External Links

• Congregation of Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena - Philippines
• St. Michael Academy

References