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 Dominican School, Manila was founded in June
1957 by the Religious Missionaries of Saint Dominic in response to the need to provide Catholic education to the children who live in the vicinity of the University of Santo Tomas, particularly its employees. Under the leadership of Sr. Jesusa Ibargoitia, the Superior of Sta. Catalina Girls’ Dormitory and Sr. Esperanza Melgar, the Secretary General, a two-room structure was constructed in May 1958.
A month later, the school opened the kindergarten with seventy-nine (79) boys and girls as enrollees. It was named Saint Dominic’s Kindergarten School. The rooms were furnished with all the facilities for children to learn their ABCs and numbers. Their skills in singing, drawing, and writing were also developed. To fulfill its mission of providing sound Catholic education, its curriculum has religion at its core with Christ as the center. Their devotion to Christ and Mary was awakened and strengthened through activities like participation in novenas and daily visits to the Blessed Sacrament in the chapel of Sta. Catalina Girls’ Dormitory.
In 1963, this structure was demolished to give way to a two-story concrete building that can accommodate pupils from kindergarten to grade four. Some rooms in the girls’ dormitory were used as classrooms.
Year 1964 saw the school offering kindergarten and elementary education. The name of the school was changed to Saint Dominic School. From a thousand pupils in 1964, its population in 1966 increased which necessitated the use of the girls’ rooms as classrooms.
In 1967, Sr. Inocencia Mortera, O.P. took over as directress from Sr. Caridad Holazo who transferred to another missionaria. It was during this year that the school was changed to Dominican School, the name by which all congregation-owned schools are known in compliance with a directive of the CRMSD Chapter of 1965. Sr. Inocencia’s term of office was marked by further improvements in the school’s academic standard and engagement in an outreach program of providing catechetical instruction to public school children in the neighborhood on Sundays. Towards the end of her term in 1973, the school erected eighteen (18) classrooms more, made possible through a bank loan. The new wing (along Dos Castillas Street) was blessed on June 29, 1973.
Sr. Lucia Micor succeeded Sr. Inocencia on July 15, 1973 until 1979. During her term, a community of sisters who will manage the school solely was created. Prior to this, the school and Sta. Catalina Girls’ Dormitory (now Sta. Catalina Ladies’ Residence) were managed as one. On May 5, the first Dominican School Community was founded with Sr. Nieves Tendero, O.P. as Mother Superior.
From 1979 to 1982, the principal was Sr. Encarnacion delos Santos; 1982 to 1985, Sr. Mary Pauline Tejero, O.P.; 1985-1990, Sr. Loreto Galang; and 1990-1994, Sr. Inocencia Mortera, O.P.
In 1987, the administrative building was renovated. Sr. Loreto Galang, O.P., the directress then, decided to pull down the old building to pave the way towards the construction of a four-story building with a gymnasium at the top floor. It also provided adequate living quarters for the Dominican Community, an improved chapel, library, and a science laboratory.
Much have changed in the school’s physical plant. To improve the pupils’ academic performance, updated materials for the library, laboratory, audiovisual rooms, and gymnasium were purchased.
 On June 1994, Sr. Lorenza Sajul, O.P. took over. By then, thirty-five (35) lay teachers, nine (9) religious sisters, and twenty-one (21) non-academic personnel ably handled the school’s population of 1,917 pupils.
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, Dominican School opted for the harder task of aiming at the emergence of a new Filipino, equipped with functional knowledge, desirable values, attitudes, habits, and skills necessary to cope and creatively participate in the improvement of the quality of life for themselves and for others.
On October 14, 1996, the cornerstone for a three-story building was laid. The building was another way of upgrading the services offered by the school.
In July 1997, Rev. Fr. Leonardo Castro and Fr. Franklin Beltran blessed the newly constructed building. The building now houses the school canteen, coordinator’s office, directress’ office, and the research and development office.
The old canteen was renovated and is presently occupied by the medical and dental personnel while the old clinic became the guidance office. The library, faculty room and the auditorium were also renovated and air-conditioned to ensure that the pupils and teachers will be more comfortable when using them.
Additional personnel for the library, guidance office, canteen, and teaching staff were also hired. At present Dominican School continues to improve its facilities, and its academic program inspired by the unique charisma of Saint Dominic and guided by their shared mission of promoting the integral formation of the youth.
Source:
Dominican School Pupil Handbook, School Year 2002-2003
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