HISTORY OF MANRESA SCHOOL
In 1961, the Daughters of Jesus started negotiations for a school site at BF Homes, Parañaque, south of Manila. This is in response to the call of the Church to open a center of Catholic education outside Manila. Through the generous help of Don Jesus Cabarrus, the Hijas de Jesus were able to acquire a school site of 3 hectares.
On June 19, 1971, Manresa School welcomed the first group of children into a two-story building. Sisters Angeles Garcia, F.I., Gertrudes Magdayao, F.I., Rosa Ortega, F.I., and Victoria Ruy, F.I. were the first Hijas de Jesus Sisters assigned to form a community to run the school. A year later, its door opened to the primary grades. Every year thereafter, a new grade level was added until the whole elementary department was completed.
The school year 1977-1978 ushered in the high school department which opened to co-education. On March 26, 1981, the school witnessed its first fruits as sixty graduates received their high school diplomas. In the same year, the school was granted permission to open the Nursery program which completed the Pre-School Department.
Manresa School celebrated its Silver Jubilee Year in 1996. Its apostolic mission continued to be vibrant. True to its commitment to providing quality education, the Grade school had its PAASCU Preliminary Survey in School Year 1999-2000. On May 31, 2001, the school was granted the level 1 of PAASCU Accreditation. The Formal Survey took place in SY 2001-2002. In the same year, the High School Department started its PAASCU Preliminary Survey.
On January 31, 2003, Manresa School was granted the level II PAASCU Accreditation for the Grade School Program and Level I PAASCU Accreditation for the High School Program.
On January 31, 2005, Manresa School was granted three years of Level II PAASCU Accreditation for the High School Program. On May 31, 2006, the school was granted five years of Level II PAASCU Accreditation for the Grade School Program.
On February 10-11, 2007, Manresa School celebrated its 35th year since its foundation in 1971. Its evangelizing mission continued to respond to the signs of the times and to give emphasis on social responsibility, excellence in values and academics, and strong partnership with other sectors of the society.
In maintaining its quality instruction, the school underwent PAASCU Re-Survey in SY 2007-2008. On May 5, 2008, Manresa School was granted five years of Level II PAASCU Accreditation for the High School Program.
The Foundress’ dream of providing Christian education to the children and youth is alive as Manresa School constantly provides the formation programs and services that cater to their needs.
In the school year 2008-2009, Manresa School underwent the process of re-reading the F.I. Philippine Province Vision-Mission and the school’s vision-mission which brought about the strong integration of the core values in the school’s curriculum.
On October 17, 2010, Saint Candida Maria de Jesus was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI in the Vatican, Rome. This significant event empowered all the more the Manresan community to live out the mission initiated by Mother Foundress.
In the school year 2011-2012, Manresa School saw the significance of reviewing and evaluating the vision-mission with the main aim of strengthening the integration of the core values namely Christ-centeredness, fraternal spirit, inner-directedness, and love for the poor. Thus, it also puts stress on the call to respond to the challenges of the present time looking to the transformation and evangelization of the children and youth.
On May 21, 2011, Manresa School was granted another five years of Level II PAASCU Re-accreditation for the Grade School Program.
On May 16, 2014, Manresa School was granted another five years Level II PAASCU Accreditation for the High School Program which is valid until May 2019.
On June 19, 2016, Manresa School celebrated its 45th anniversary with a theme: “Ever Grateful! Forever Faithful!” In its strong response to serving the Church and the society, the school continuously dedicates itself to providing integral Catholic education to its clientele .
On July 12, 2016, Manresa School was formally informed by PAASCU (Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities) that the High School Department is eligible to apply for Level III Accreditation Status.
On May 8, 2017, Manresa School was granted the Level II PAASCU Accreditation for Grade School Program for five years which is valid until May 2022.
Manresa School in its desire to deepen the spirit of filiation, fraternal love, and generous service to its clientele, especially to the marginalized of the society, constantly commits itself to the attainment of its philosophy, vision-mission, and goals for the greater glory of God and the good of its neighbors.
