HISTORY

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

    The inauguration of the Quezon City Science High School (QCSHS) on September 17, 1967 was the fulfillment of a great man’s dream, a vision turned into reality.

    The vision of providing splendid opportunities for the more talented students of Quezon City and those who have great interest in Mathematics and Science came into reality when Mrs. Hermenigilda G. Margate, the Division Science Supervisor conceived the establishment of a science high school in Quezon City. This idea was announced by Mr. Alfredo J. Andal, City Superintendent of Schools in the year 1967.

     The dream actually started in 1963 when Mrs. Margate was given permission by Dr. Andal to create a first year class using a Special Science Curriculum in Quirino and San Francisco High Schools. The idea was welcome by Mrs. Dela Cruz and Mrs. Trinidad Estrada, principals of the two schools respectively. A first year class was established in each school every year thereafter as the first batch of students progressed to the next class year level until 1967, when they reached their fourth year. Mrs. Margate thought it was time to established a Science High School in Quezon City.

    On July 11, 1967, a memorandum was sent to all principals and assistant principals and head teacher, Mrs. Hermenigilda G. Margate, Mathematics and Science Supervisors, was designated by the City Superintendent to organize and take charge of the Quezon City Science High School.

   After a rigid examination and successive interviews, the QCSHS started with 28 competent teachers and 325 equally talented students coming from different high schools in Quezon City.

   In its first year of existence, the school shared a campus with Judge Juan Luna High School at San Francisco Del Monte. A year after, the school moved to the present site of the Quezon City General Hospital, formerly the San Jose Seminary.

    On September 1, 1967, the QCSHS Faculty Club was organized and on September 3, 1967, the first QCSHS Parent-Teacher Association came into being.

    The first PTA donated chairs, tables and facilities needed in their children’s learning process. The said association also formulated a resolution requesting a school site from the City Council and pre-fab building from authorities concerned.

    The persistence of Mrs. Margate as Officer In-Charge, parents, teachers and student-leaders in following-up the physical plant needs of school finally bore fruit when the Quezon City Council through the leadership of the then Vice Mayor Ismael A. Mathay Jr. donated the present school site, measuring 2.4 hectares under the Quezon City Government with TCT #265553 in Barangay Sto. Cristo, Bago Bantay, Quezon City in 1969.

     In 1976, a two-storey semi-concrete six-room building was constructed and was made possible with the representation of the former Schools Superintendent Commemoracion M. Concepcion to the Quezon City Board.

     Another two-storey six room concrete science building was finally completed in 1983 through the combined efforts of the then City Mayor Adelina S. Rodriguez and the incumbent Division Superintendent, Dr. Edna B. Azurin.

     Imbued with the desire of discovering and developing the country’s potential scientists and making Quezon City Science High School a show window for science in the city, Dr. Edna B. Azurin provided the school with a well equipped speech laboratory and a fully air conditioned computer rooms.

   In 1989, the National Secondary Education Curriculum (NSEC) under the Secondary Development Program implemented the teaching of Science and Technology and Mathematics. QCSHS was chosen as the Regional Leader School in the National Capital Region (NCR).

   In the succeeding year, through the U.S. Aid Program, additional laboratory rooms for Chemistry, Biology and Integrated Science were made available in the newly constructed Science and Technology building. In the same year, Technology and Home Economics (T.H.E.) department had a new Home Economics building which serves as their practice house.

    To ensure that science and technology are well enhanced by the 21st century, the government thrust on the 90’s focused on science and technology subjects. Once again QCSHS was chosen to spearhead the implementation of the new technology based curriculum. Two classes were formed to pilot the said curriculum. This thrust also aims to offer it to a large number of students; hence by 1995 to 1997 more rooms were made with the construction of the Mathay Hall, Icasiano-Calalay, DOST Chemistry and Physics laboratory buildings. In line with the upgrading of facilities, improvements were also made in the Library, Science and Mathematics centers, the world class Conference Hall, Multi-purpose Covered Court, Computer Science Centers, air-conditioned Faculty Room and new CAT headquarters.

   In 1999, a four-storey sixteen room concrete building was constructed through the efforts of Mayor Ismael A. Mathay Jr. On the same year the Schools Division Superintendent, Dr. Aquilina S. Rivas, undertook the renovation of the DOST Laboratory.

  Having mentioned high academic excellence, QCSHS was declared in June 1999 as the Regional Science High School for NCR by virtue of DepEd Order No. 58, series 1999 in consonance with R.A.  8496 (An act to establish the Philippine Science High School System and Providing Funds thereof). In line with this, a new system of screening of in-coming freshmen is introduced by the Division of City Schools through the leadership of Dr. Aquilina S. Rivas. In March 2001, Dr. Rivas turned over the QCSHS to the DepEd NCR. On February 11, 2003, Dr. Corazon Santiago, then Regional Director of DepEd NCR turned over the school again to the Division of City School. This turn over carries with it Administrative and Supervisory functions.

   With the concerted effort of the government, the PTA, the concerned agencies and the school personnel, the Quezon City Science High School will be able to provide maximum opportunities for the science-gifted youth to develop their spirit of inquiry and creativity to sharpen their ability in decision making as they assume their role in the community.  

June 2016 to present

  Senior High School Academic Track STEM strand  is offered at QCSHS. Through the efforts of Mrs. Rosavilla T. Dacquel, then Head Teacher VI of the Science Department, along with the six faculty members who served as pioneer teachers of the 288 senior high school students, the first year of implementation became a success, albeit full of challenges. With the change in the curricular landscape came improvements in the school facilities through the construction of new buildings to accommodate the growing population of learners inclined towards the sciences, rehabilitation of the iconic football field, and the transformation of the Covered Court to an impressive structure that houses new laboratories and a gymnasium for various sporting events.

 The concerted effort of the government, the QCSHS Alumni, the PTA, the concerned agencies, and the school personnel helps Quezon City Science High School to continue providing maximum opportunities for science-gifted youth in developing their spirit of inquiry and creativity to sharpen their ability in decision making as they assume their role in the community.