The Nuestra Se�ora de Aranzazu Parochial School started as a preschool in 1968, the same year the puericulture center of San Mateo opened its nursery school. Classes were held in a one-room makeshift building beside the parish hall. Since it received an enthusiastic response from the Catholic parents, its enrollment increased at an unexpected rate. The Catholic Women�s League Unit of the parish was first tasked to take charge of the management of the school as part of its apostolate.

In the school-year 1980 � 1981, the school was registered as a non -stock, non � profit corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Official Recognition was granted by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports on October 21, 1987 for the Elementary Department. The High School Department was extended Recognition by the Department of Education on July 31, 2002 . Thus the school offers a complete pre-school (nursery, kindergarten, preparatory), and basic education: elementary (Grades 1-6) and high school (1st to 4th Year ).

At present, the school is housed in a four-storey building with forty classrooms, and offices for: Administration and Finance, Rooms for the Faculty (4) and Non-Academic Staff, Library � AVR, Pre-School Learning Resource Center, Guidance Center, Center for Integral Evangelization (CIE), Student Affairs, two Computer Laboratories, (elementary and high school), Laboratories for Technology and Home Economics (THE), Physics and Chemistry, Canteen and Supplies, Clinic (for Medical and Dental Services), Printing, Gymnasium and Auditorium.

Since it caters to the quality educational needs of the middle to the lower income group of the parish community, the Nuestra Se�ora de Aranzazu Parochial School has always maintained its tuition and other fees at the lowest possible level.

The Nuestra Se�ora de Aranzazu Parochial School is markedly identified with the Roman Catholic Church as an instrument for the continuing process of evangelization; sharing in the vision of the Diocese of Antipolo in being �a community of disciples of the Risen Christ �. The formation being given to the students includes not only academic proficiency, but more importantly Catholic doctrines, Gospel values for the Filipino Catholic way of life.

Vision

We, an educational institution, envision ourselves as a Communion of Christ�s active witnesses, imbued with Gospel values, upholding the dignity of man in a culture of life and love, with Mary, Our Lady of Aranzazu, as our model ( in her faith in God, persevering hope in prayer, maternal love, and simple and humble lifestyle.)

Mission

We are in a state of mission of:
- promoting quality basic education and christian formation among Roman Catholics in the middle and lower socio- economic strata, with Religion as the core of the curriculum;
- participating fully and actively in the life of the parish community, especially in the sacramental life and devotion to Blessed Virgin Mary, in order to enhance the role of the laity�s involvement in the Church;
- molding students to be achievers, proficient in communication arts and technology;
- providing on-going formation for the total development of the administrators, faculty, and staff to make them competent in ministering to the needs of the school community;
- and encouraging parents to be committed to fostering an orderly wholesome environment for the living and experiencing of discipleship - in - community in school and in the home.
Thereby, becoming formed and committed evangelizers for a transformed society and a renewed parish community.

:: PHILOSOPHY ::

Catholic education is an expression of the mission entrusted by Christ to the Church He founded. Through education the Church seeks to prepare her members to proclaim the Good News and to translate this proclamation into action.

The Church�s educational mission takes form in the many different programs and institutions adapted to the needs of those to be educated. Of the educational programs available to the Catholic community, Catholic schools afford the fullest and best opportunity to realize among the children and youth the three-fold purpose of Catholic education: the proclamation (KERYGMA) of the message revealed by God (DIDACHE); fellowship in the life of the Holy Spirit (KOINONIA); and service to the Christian community and the entire human community (DIAKONIA). Schools naturally enjoy educational advantages which other programs either cannot afford or can offer only with great difficulty. A school has a greater claim on time and loyalty of the student and his family. It makes more accessible to the students frequent participation in the Liturgy and the Sacraments, which are powerful forces for the development of personal sanctity and for the building of the Christian community. It provides for a more favorable Christian faith.

To ensure that the students understand a living religion, the Nuestra Se�ora de Aranzazu Parochial School has created the religious environment necessary to foster among the Administration, Faculty, Staff and Students a sense of vocation of eagerness to live out the basic baptismal commitment to service. It affirms with Vatican II that schools perform an authentic apostolate (CE-8 ) and that the work in this apostolate � means performing a unique and invaluable work for the Church.

In the light of these principles, our parochial school is inevitably an integral part of the pastoral plan of the parish. It is designed to provide for the formal Christian education and moral formation of the parishioners. While its mission is religious education, it goes beyond the mere imparting of religious knowledge in having religion permeate the personal lives of the students by seeing them grow in the virtues, characteristic of the Catholic Christian, making religion a reality in their everyday experiences.

:: OUR PARISH ::

The rich and meaningful history of the Parish of Nuestra Se�ora de Aranzazu dates back to the early Spanish era of 1596, when the Augustinians friars built the first settlements in the place. In the year August 29, 1659, the first parish was built under and in honor of the patron St. Matthew (San Mateo), the apostle and evangelist. But in December 6, 1696, the Jesuits came and gained control of the town. Thus, in 1705, a Jesuit priest, Fr. Juan Echazabal, started the devotion to our Lady of Aranzazu from Spain and changed the patron of the town from St. Matthew to Nuestra Se�ora de Aranzazu.

In 1715, the first concrete church was built but was destroyed in 1863 by a devastating earthquake. In 1887 the church was rebuilt and repaired but was again destroyed by the war of 1942 during the Japanese occupation. In the year 1990, the bell tower was repaired after the earthquake of July 16 of the same year. And in 1993, the whole church, including the main altar, was repaired and refurnished.

Only last February 2004, the Parish of Nuestra Se�ora de Aranzazu was proclaimed as a Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Aranzazu by the Vatican, being the only church in the Philippines under the title of Nuestra Se�ora de Aranzazu and only sister-parish of the Basilica of Aranzazu in Spain. The canonical erection of the shrine is scheduled on June this year.