In 1986 Montessori De Manila was first registered with the Bureau of Domestic Trade as a pre-school, the purpose of which was to offer BF Homes residents an alternative educational system where children will acquire knowledge within a prepared environment conducive to exploring and learning simultaneously. The school’s mission is to develop each and every child to his fullest potential as a person: physically, emotionally, spiritually, socially and intellectually. The first year registered an enrolment of 110 with four class directresses and two administrative personnel. After the first Primary graduates in 1987, the quality of education was recognized in the community, making enrolment demand so encouraging that school administration had to expand capacity to accommodate more than 100% increase in enrollment for its second year. On its third year the Elementary Department welcomed its first batch of pupils. Initially, only lower elementary was opened to accommodate transferees as well as the first Primary graduates who returned upon learning of the Grade School Department’s establishment. Every year thereafter, higher levels were added at a time as pupils were promoted to the next level. Thus, the full Elementary Course reached its completion. By the end of its fifth year, enrolment was up 600% from its original number. The four classrooms have given way to more than 23 classrooms, with separate Music, Audiovisual, and Home Economics Livelihood Education rooms, a Laboratory, Library and Guidance Counselling Office. The school has acquired a wide array of Montessori apparatus coupled with faculty-prepared teaching aids not ordinarily found in traditional schools and many Montessori schools. Montessori De Manila celebrated its 10th Foundation Day by constructing a new, Italian-inspired building for the Primary Department. On its 11th year of operation, the last of the old Grade School edifices was demolished to pave way for the modern Elementary Department building. A Computer Centre was established for the Elementary with optional classes for early computer enthusiasts in the Primary Level, computer education being part of the full Elementary and Secondary curriculum. In 1999, Montessori De Manila established its first branch, Montessori De Manila–Davao, situated in the district of Bangkal, MDM–Davao is a stone’s throw away from Ateneo de Davao campus. It offers the complete Primary Program. In 2002, the last of the school’s single-storey structures was demolished to give way to the multi-level High School building, with Chemistry, Biology, Technology and Home Economics, Elementary and High School Computer Centres with Internet access, Audio-Visual Room, separate Grade School and High School Libraries with Internet connection, CAdT Headquarters, and a full-sized court. In the academic year 2004-2005 it was observed that Montessori De Manila’s graduating elementary pupils have been passing high school entrance examinations in leading schools nationwide. Hence, the Grade 7 program was integrated into the elementary and secondary curriculum by school year 2005-2006.
Examination Performance
“One of the Top Performing Schools in the Philippines” “Belonging to the Top 16% of schools in the National Capital Region” Source: Department of Education, Culture and Sports – 1994 Based on the National Achievement Test 2009 results, Montessori De Manila belongs to the Top Ten*. Montessori de Manila's Elementary pupils’ top scores are in Science, Math, English/Filipino. Montessori de Manila's mean score is higher than the top school division’s mean result in Metro Manila.
Plans
Celebrating its 20th Founding Anniversary in the year 2006, Montessori De Manila announced the following plans.
The launch of a new logo. The original logo reflected the traditional values of education and enlightenment in the modern world. The new logo places emphasis on Montessori concepts of the independent individual, on the teaching materials unique to Montessori schools and on Montessori's place in education.
The construction of a much bigger auditorium/multi-purpose hall.
The founding of The Palmridge School in Cavite. Under the auspices of Montessori De Manila, The Palmridge School opened its doors in academic year 2006-2007, offering the complete Pre-school Program, Grades 1 to 4, 1st and 2nd Year High School, adding the next level every year until it completes the full three-level academic institution. It sits on a 5,000 square meter property in the heart of Citta Italia Village in Molino, Cavite.
