History
_St. Benedict's Academy came into existence on May 22, 1958, through the combined efforts of Rt. Msgr. Demetrio Valeza and a few militant ladies of the Catholic Women's League, Guinobatan Unit who were bent on having a Catholic school in the town for the cultural and moral upliftment of the youth. The Benedictine Sisters were requested to administer the school. On June 1, 1958, the new school was blessed by Bishop Ariola of Legazpi. Classes began the next day. After two weeks, there were 25 little boys and girls in Kindergarten and 36 girls in the first year high school. Such were the auspicious beginnings of SBA. When the burgeoning school population could no longer be accommodated in two-room cabin, a modern concrete building was built in 1961. In that same year the High School Department began to include boys. In 1972, the foundation of two-story building for Elementary School was laid. Improvements were undertaken as the school continued to grow.
In 1978, the Diocese turned over the management to the Dominican Daughters of the Immaculate Mother (DDIM) through the recommendation of Msgr. Lucilo B. Quiambao. Under a new administration, SBA faced the challenges of the 80's. It fulfilled continuously the mandate of the Divine Founder that the youth must be given Christian Education. SBA undertakes the mission of education as its share in the task of witnessing to Christ's presence in the world. It is our vision to produce leaders characterized by the harmony of reason, faith, and Christian values, who are guided by the Dominican charism, consecration to the truth from which springs the mission to live and proclaim the values of God's kingdom. The school pursues an academic program that encourages and challenges students to work at their highest skill levels. It provides activities that develop the student's various talents at the same time strengthen teachers, administrators, and staff. Administrators and teachers are being sent to seminars and workshops, to keep abreast to the advances in the field of education. |
To ensure the holistic development of each student and to provide for more intensive and advanced education program particularly in the secondary level, SBA applied for a permit to operate a Science Oriented High School Curriculum. Numerous requirements were submitted in June 2001. On October 10, 2001 representatives from the Department of Education did an ocular inspection of the school. On October 29, 2001 the institution was granted the authority to operate the Science Oriented High School Curriculum with Government permit (R-V) No.007 s.2001. Through the Regional Director - Region V, the school was granted last August 11, 2004 by the Department of Education, the Government Recognition to fully operate under the Science Oriented Curriculum - First Year - Fourth Year effective 2004-2005. This is one of the blessings and joys that highlighted the school's march towards the new millennium.
For almost half a century, SBA has been providing Catholic education to the residents of Guinobatan and the nearby towns. It hopes to send its graduates to the world with a sacred responsibility - the responsibility to live their faith to be true witnesses to the presence of the Eucharistic Lord in words and in deeds. Throughout this period, the school produced hundreds of graduates, many of whom have become successful and recognized leaders not only in their chosen careers but also in their respective communities and parishes. Today, SBA stands as the legacy, the gift, the only Catholic private school in the area that gives its mark of quality Catholic Education from 1958 to the present. For what lies ahead, SBA owes it all to His Divine Providence and through the maternal intercession of our Immaculate Mother, Mary. May God be glorified and the Blessed Mother be honored in our school apostolate. |