History


Historical Development of St. Mary's Academy


St. Mary's Academy, Pasay is a Filipino, Catholic and Ignacian Marian school. Founded in 1922 as the Escuela Catolica de Pasay, it was situated in front of the Sta. Clara Parish Church and was managed by a parish priest, Rev. Igmidio Trinidad. It was housed in an old Spanish building which also served as the convent. Because the school lacked physical facilities and personnel, the Escuela offered only primary education to young children.


A turn over of parish priest prompted the parish to ask help in managing the school. Then Archbishop of Manila, Most Rev. Michael O'Doherty, requested for help from the Congregation of the Religious of the Virgin Mary (RVM) the first pontifical congregation for women in the Philippines. In 1939, the RVM sisters took over and later changed the name to St. Mary's Academy to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mo. Ma. Josefa Avendaņo became the school's first Superior.


Like most schools which ceased to operate at the outbreak of World War II on December 8, 1941, SMA was among the first schools to resume classes after the liberation on July 1, 1945. It saw the country's need to rebuild a war-torn nation through education hence SMA had to admit hundreds of students eager to get back to school even with only six rooms and teachers available. With renewed peace the school continued to grow. On March 1946, the Elementary course was granted government recognition followed by the General Secondary Course a year after. Ten (10) students became the first batch of high school graduates of SMA in 1947.


As the country celebrated its second year as a republic in 1948, SMA began a new era. Slowly the school was molded to the structure that we see today and a renewal of faith and purpose was very apparent in the decades of the 50's and 60's. This period was highlighted by building construction to meet the growing needs of the school population. The tremendous increase in the enrolment in the 60's resulted in the turnover of the Grade V and VI boys to the Sta. Clara Parochial School in 1962-1963 while the Sisters continued the supervision of the two levels as requested.


Government recognition for the Kindergarten Course followed in 1965. Three years after a big fire broke out near the school which nearly razed the buildings to the ground. Many of the students lost their homes. Classes were congested for some classrooms were made available to the poor fire victims. This disaster in 1968-1969 gave way to the construction of the earthquake proof five-storey building named after Mother Ignacia del Espiritu Santo.


The events of the 70's have been crucial to the further development of the school as an institution. Spiritual formation of the students, faculty and non-teaching personnel was given priority by the Administration. In 1972 the first Faculty Club and the St. Mary's Academy Parents' Auxiliary (SMAPA) were organized. These two associations brought about a closer and harmonious relationship between the members of the school community. Pursuant to the enactment of PD No. 1139 (creation of Non-Formal Education) in 1979, the school launched the Extension Service Program, now the Mother Ignacia Skills Training Center. This is SMA's way of sharing the spirit of the RVM Foundress' concern for the less endowed, materially and spiritually. Free trainings are given in Dressmaking/Tailoring, Cosmetology, Typing and Computer and Speed Sewing. Hundreds of graduates of the Center are now gainfully employed in different offices in the community.


Another fire razed the school to the ground on the Feast of Our Lady of the Assumption in 1975. From the ruins rose the Assumption, Sacred Heart and St. Therese Buildings. Housed in these edifices are additional classrooms and service facilities such as the computer room, the Instructional Media Center as well as its preview and stockrooms, H.E. Science Laboratories, Canteen and Fast Food Center.


After years of needed physical development, SMA found more time to focus in upgrading academic programs and its services to the community and the poor. Aware of the need for quality education it officially and voluntarily applied for accreditation by PAASCU in 1983. As a result the High School and Grade School Departments were accredited in 1984 and 1986 respectively giving the school a level of autonomy and other privileges granted to institutions possessing standards of quality and excellence. The school consistently passed succeeding re-accreditations for the past twenty five (25) years. It has also been a recipient of various awards in academic, religious and cultural fields through outstanding participation of students in civic and community reach out activities.


Significant changes and achievements highlighted the decade of the '90s. After seventy two (72) years of operating exclusively for girls, the High School Department opened its doors for male students as a response to parents' request and the need of developing well balanced, educated Christian men and women in 1994.


To provide the students with excellent service facilities, the Holy Child building was constructed in 1997. This houses now the expanded GS Library, Guidance Center for both GS and HS Departments, GS Science laboratories, prayer room, Internet room, Personnel lounge and the spacious extension of the St. Therese canteen on the ground floor. A new layout of the Principal's offices was done to facilitate supervision and communication in the department.


SMA re-affirmed its vision and mission as it celebrated 75 years of service and providing quality education during the Diamond Jubilee year in 1997. A week-long celebration was dedicated in thanksgiving and acknowledging God's abiding presence and outpouring of tremendous blessings.


The school believes that to be able to compete in a globalized educational environment and to meet the dynamically changing demands of its clients' continuous upgrading of academic programs, constant review of strategic plans and entry into the world of Information Technology is imperative.


One of the major concerns the school is currently involved in is its Information Technology Program. It started in 1994 when the Local Area Network that linked the Accounting, Registrar and other administrative offices was installed. Two years later the Library services were computerized linking both HS and GS libraries. The Guidance Services was added to the network in 1997. In 1998 the school created its Home Page in the world wide web (http://www.sma-pc.edu.ph) for people from all over the world to learn more about the school system.


SMA marked its 60th year under the RVM administration in 1999. Motivated by the Ignacian Spirit of humble and dedicated service specially to the poor and under-privileged the Mother Ignacia Center for Human Development was constructed in the same year. This five-storey building now accommodates all the students of the former Mother Ignacia Skills Training Center. The Center offers free trainings in Dressmaking / Tailoring, Cosmetology, Typing and Computer, Hi-Speed Sewing, Electronics, Cooking & Home Management. To enable the Center to serve a wider community new course offerings have been introduced and day classes were organized. This is SMA's way of sharing the spirit of the RVM Foundress' concern for the less endowed, materially and spiritually. These are also part of the school's commitment to empower, liberate the less fortunate from all forms of enslavement, and allow them to live and experience the loving care of God.


Year 2000 was made more significant with the granting of another five-year clean accreditation to the High School Department using Form B by PAASCU - a result of the re-visit on October 1999.


Faithful to its pledge of total commitment to quality and responsive education and in its relentless pursuit for improvement SMA took a bolder step towards providing its customers with globally competitive, consistent high quality education with outstanding quality service. It formulated a new vision-mission, core values, quality policy, quality objectives and institutional and area goals. It also established and documented a quality management system using ISO 9001:2000 standard thus after 80 years of service, the school was ISO 9001 certified in April 11 & 12, 2002. As ISO 9001 certified school, St. Mary's Academy, Pasay became the first school in the Philippines offering Basic Education and the first school in Pasay City and among the RVM schools that passed the standards of ISO 9001:2000.

 

In 2006, after the 18th Ordinary General Chapter of the RVM Congregation, SMA-P adopted the Ignacian Marian description from the original Marian-Ignacian and incorporated Faith among its Core Values in harmony with the direction of the RVM Education Ministry Commission.

 

With Ignacian earnestness, SMA-P continued its ascent to its goal for Faith, Commitment, Excellence and Service for social transformation. The Grade School Department responded to PAASCU's invitation to apply for Level III accreditation in September 2008. Upon the recommendation of the PAASCU, the Federation of Accrediting Agencies of the Philippines (FAAP) granted Level III status to the Grade School Department in December 15, 2008 until November 2011.

 

The end goal of Ignacian Marian education is to lead all to the fullness of life in Jesus Christ. The school confidently moves on in its teaching apostolate strongly upholding the belief that Christians can provide the leadership to bear witness to sound moral values and principles in their lives. In the pursuit of its mission, Marians will be equipped with a solid foundation of Christian faith, academic competence and a deep sense of commitment to serve the Church and the Community.