St. Scholastica's College, Manila

Saint Scholastica's College, also referred to by its acronym SSC or colloquially St. Scho, is a private Catholic basic and higher education institution for women founded and managed by the Congregation of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing in a 3.66 hectares (36,600 m2) lot in Malate, Manila, Philippines. It was established in 1906 initially offering elementary academic programs. It started admitting high school students in 1907 and opened its collegiate department in 1920. It pioneered in formal music education in the Philippines, opening a Conservatory of Music in 1907.[1][2]

Saint Scholastica's College
Dalubhasaang Saint Scholastica (Filipino)
MottoOra et Labora (Latin)
Motto in English
Prayer and Work
TypePrivate Catholic Non-profit All-girls Basic and Higher education institution
EstablishedDecember 1906; 118 years ago (December 1906)
FounderCongregation of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing
Religious affiliation
Roman Catholic
(Benedictine Sisters)
Academic affiliations
PresidentSister Mary Christine Pinto OSB
Administrative staff
800
Students9,856
Location
Leon Guinto Street, Singalong
, ,
14°33′51″N 120°59′47″E / 14.56418°N 120.99638°E / 14.56418; 120.99638
CampusUrban
Area 36,655.50 square metres (3.665550 ha)
Alma Mater songLet's Cheer for St. Scholastica
Colors Blue  and  White 
NicknameScholastican
Sporting affiliations
WNCAA, WCSA
Manila Athletics
Websitewww.ssc.edu.ph
St. Scholastica's College, Manila is located in Manila
St. Scholastica's College, Manila
Location in Manila
St. Scholastica's College, Manila is located in Metro Manila
St. Scholastica's College, Manila
Location in Metro Manila
St. Scholastica's College, Manila is located in Luzon
St. Scholastica's College, Manila
Location in Luzon
St. Scholastica's College, Manila is located in Philippines
St. Scholastica's College, Manila
Location in the Philippines

Although Saint Scholastica's College is an exclusive school for women, admission of male students in the Music, Fine Arts, Interior Design, and preschool programs has been allowed. The college is recognized by the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education and also a charter member of the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities. It has earned Level III accreditation on all of its respective departments and schools. The college had its centennial celebration on December 3, 2006, at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Ermita, Manila.

History

edit
 
Historical marker installed in 2007 by the National Historical Institute

The college was founded by five young German sisters: Mother M. Ferdinanda Hoelzer, OSB, Sr. Petronilla Keller, OSB, Sr. Cresentia Veser, OSB, Sr. Winfrieda Mueller, OSB, and Novice Alexia Ruedenauer on December 3, 1906 at the request of Apostolic Delegate Monsignor Dom Ambrose Agius, O.S.B. and Archbishop of Manila Jeremiah James Harty, D.D. to give religious education to the children of Manila. The site of the college was then a small residential house surrounded by fishermen's huts in the fishing village of Tondo. There were then six paying students and 50 non-paying students or scholars.

A year after the college opened, it moved to a property in San Marcelino Street in Manila which was later occupied by St. Theresa's College (Manila) and where Adamson University now stands. The school was then housed in an old military barracks.

On December 14, 1914, the college was moved again to another site in Singalong Street where the college presently stands. The latest campus is bounded by Estrada Street on the north, P. Ocampo Street on the south, Singalong Street on the east and Leon Guinto Street on the west.

 
Chapel

The land, about 3 hectares (30,000 m2) was bought for the amount of two cents per square meter. The college was ravaged by World War II where its school buildings were all destroyed. Reconstruction of the buildings began in 1946 and took nine years to restore.

In 2024, the campus' five main buildings, namely the St. Scholastica Building, St. Cecilia's Hall, St. Hildegard Building, St. Benedict Building, and St. Scholastica's Chapel, were designated as "Important Cultural Properties" by the National Museum of the Philippines.[3]

The St. Scholastica's College was plot setting for the episode 'Class Picture' of the 2008 horror film Shake, Rattle & Roll 10.

Academics

edit

Academic linkages

edit
 
Sr. Mary Thomas Prado, OSB (second from the left), former President of Saint Scholastica's College
 
November 23, 2011, St. Scholastica's College, Manila welcomes Wikimedia Foundation

The college is a member of the South Manila Inter-Constitutional Schools along with De La Salle University, Philippine Women's University, Philippine Christian University, Adamson University, Philippine Normal University, and the St. Paul University Manila. The students of the member schools may take accredited subjects in their chosen school for cross-enrollment. The college is also part of the Women's Consortium Colleges which includes Miriam College in Katipunan, Assumption College San Lorenzo in Makati, La Consolacion College Manila in Mendiola, St. Paul University Quezon City, and the College of the Holy Spirit Manila in Mendiola.

Notable alumnae and students

edit

Buildings

edit

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ St Scholastica's College, St Scholastica's College. "St Scholastica's College official website". St Scholastica's College Manila. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  2. ^ edukasyon.ph/schools/st-scholastica-s- college-manila Saint Scholastica's College, Manila, edukasyon.ph. Accessed September 5, 2022.
  3. ^ "St. Scholastica's College campus hailed as 'Important Cultural Property' by National Museum". GMA. February 11, 2024.
  4. ^ "DBM Central Office". www.dbm.gov.ph. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  5. ^ "Margaux Salcedo Archives | Inquirer Business". business.inquirer.net. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  6. ^ a b Pat and Agnes, retrieved 2020-06-27
  7. ^ "St. Scholastica's College Notable Alumnae".
  8. ^ "Juancho and Amalia in 2 Sampaguita films". The Philippine STAR.
edit