Notre Dame – RVM College of Cotabato began as a school founded by the Beatas and named the Escuela Catolica. In 1904, the Superior General of the Beatas, Reverend Mother Elfigenia Alvarez sent four Beatas, namely Sr. Isabel Cero Mojado, RVM, Sr. Valentina Lorenzo, RVM, Sr. Filomena Galos, RVM and Sr. Severina Santos, RVM to open a Catholic school in Cotobato City. The first classes were held at the home of Don Antonio and Doña Eusebia Sousa, the generous benefactors of the Sisters. In 1917, the school obtained the government recognition and was granted the authority to issue certificates to the elementary school graduates. The subjects taught were Christian Doctrines, Reading and Writing, Drawing and Painting, and Home Arts for Girls. Until 1911, all instructions were in Spanish. When English became the medium of instruction, Spanish continued to be taught as a subject in all levels. The school underwent several name changes from Escluela Catolica to Escuela de San Antonio, Colegio de los Corazones y Maria and finally, Cotabato Parochial School which it bore until World War I stopped its operation. In, 1947, Archbishop Mongeau, then the O.M.I. Father Superior, founded the Notre Dame of Cotabato, a co – educational Catholic High School which in 1948 was separated into Boys' and Girls' Departments. The Marist Brothers, took over the administration of the Boys Department and remained in the original site of the School while the RVM Sisters, under the leadership of Sr. Ma. Isabel Purification, RVM moved to the Notre Dame of Cotabato for Girls Department. In 1979, Notre Dame of Cotabato for Girls Department finally became Notre Dame of Cotabato for Girls. In 1984, the grade school department started to accept boys, while in 2000 the high school department had its group of boys, too. After three years, that is, in school year 2002–2003, the school underwent another change of name, Notre Dame – RVM School of Cotabato which it presently bears. Various improvements happened under the leadership of Sr. Ma. Zosima N. Capua, RVM, the Directress. It saw the competition of the four-storey Mother Ignacia Building which housed the fourth year classes, the air-conditioned library. It opened to college education for school year 2003–2004. Two short term courses were offered: Hotel and Restaurant Management and Caregiver Program. All classes were held in the new building, as well. In the school year 2004–2005, the school celebrated its centennial year and the name was changed into Notre Dame – RVM College of Cotabato. Additional college courses were offered: Bachelor of Elementary Education and Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education with majors in English and Mathematics. In the school year 2013–2014,The school directress was replaced by Sister Maria Fe Gerodias,RVM. On the same year a rehabilitation was made for the Terrace 1. The years of 2014-2015 was a major revamp for the school. The boys and girls were separated. The Old Mother Tan Building was also under construction. Almost half of the school were repainted. On July 2, 2014, the school bus arrived on the campus and is only functional for the annual retreat on Davao City, Philippines
Basic Education Department
The K-12 Program was implemented in the school starting the academic year 2015–2016. The campus offers the following:
During the school year 2015–2016, Notre Dame – RVM College of Cotabato witnessed its first batch of Senior High School students. The Senior High School department houses its students in one of the newer buildings of the campus, the Assumption Building and Annunciation Building, in the exception of some sections which are located in the BSB 2 Building. Following are the strands offered by the school:
