Institutional and Community History

Saint Mary’s Academy of Dipolog is a Catholic institution owned and administered by the Sisters of the Religious of the Virgin Mary (RVM) and is dedicated to the education of the youth of Dipolog City and the surrounding municipalities of Zamboanga del Norte.

In 1892, the RVM Sisters then known as Beatas de la Compania de Jesus began their Catechetical apostolate in Dipolog, which was an extension of their apostolates in Dapitan. The erection of the Parish in Dipolog called for an establishment of a school. The Sisters were then made to administer the Parochial School for Girls, which was known as Colegio de Dipolog under the supervision of the Parish Priest. The Cartilla and 3 R’s were taught together with the Christian Doctrine, Good Manners and Vocational Skills. This system of education was practiced until after the American system was established.

When the second World War broke out, the school’s operation was interrupted. It resumed in 1945 under the name of Saint Mary’s Academy in honor of Mary, the Mother of God. In 1946, the first elementary and high school graduation were held. Government Recognition was given in 1948 and 1953 respectively. In the school year 1972-1973, however due to small enrolment, the elementary department ceased its operation.

In school year 1982-83, Saint Mary’s Academy opened its doors for boys simultaneous with the acceptance of boys in first year and second year, it restored the Kindergarten Course due to parents’ demands.

In June 1986, the administration worked for the re-opening of the elementary department due to the parents’ request.

In 1983, a four-storey building was constructed to provide more classrooms, offices and other facilities like science laboratories and the library.

In October 1992, Saint Mary’s Academy celebrated a pre-centennial event highlighting a cultural show participated by the alumni, parents, benefactors, teachers and students of the institution. The Centennial Anniversary of the existence of Saint Mary’s Academy was on December 1992.

The Parent’s Organization (the PACSMA) and the Alumni aided the school in raising funds for the construction of the Basketball Court, which was finished on October 1992. Improvement of the concrete fence around the campus and the construction of Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, which now stands as landmark in front of the school canteen had been realized on April 1993. The parents’ organization (now PTACSMA) also supported other school projects like: the waiting shed near the gate which was constructed in 1994 as well as the covered walk connecting the main building and the elementary department building where the canteen is housed.

In April 1999, the second phase of the 4-storey building was constructed, which included the renovation of the old four-storey structure and on May 12, 2000, Most Rev. Jose Manguiran, bishop of Dipolog, finally blessed the building as it stands today.

In April 2001, a Covered Pathway (right wing of the building) was constructed through the effort of the Parents’ Advisory Council (PACSMA)and in February 2002, Msgr. E. Socias, V.G., blessed the new Covered Pathways and newly installed Internet Research Center.

The Speech Laboratory was installed on May 3, 2004. That same year the school received the First ESC Certification with above standard rating.

In December 2006, the school celebrated its Grand Alumni Homecoming at Zamboanga del Norte Convention and Exhibit Center. In March 2006, Saint Mary’s Academy acquired its newly built covered court.

In June 2008, the new Science laboratories were provided and in October of that same year, the school gate was constructed. In November 13 of the same year, the school was again recertified by FAPE-DepEd with an above standard rating which was considered as rank 2 of all ESC certified schools in the entire region of Zamboanga del Norte.

In October 2009, the administration and faculty reached-out to the victims of typhoon “Ondoy” which severely hit the country.

School year 2010-2011, all classrooms were air-conditioned. The Alumni Batch 1983 donated portable sound system, dental chair and medical bed while the PTACSMA donated an amount for the electric transformer.

On February 4-5, 2013 SMA-Dipolog had its PAASCU Preliminary Visit and on April 26, 2013 the Federation of Accrediting Agencies of the Philippines (FAAP) granted Candidate Status to the High School Program, for having satisfactorily met the standards and fulfilled all the requirements of the Philippines Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities(PAASCU). This certification was valid until April, 2015. A Consultancy Visit prior to the Formal Survey was scheduled on February 23, 2015. However, the PAASCU Board only required the school to submit its pertinent reports to the PAASCU office and did not anymore send Accreditors to the institution.

In February 2014, the school underwent another re-certification by FAPE-DepEd wherein the school again received an Above Standard Rating.

In April 2014, Saint Mary’s Academy was hailed National Champion in Photojournalism through winning:” La Aparador” of Raul Eguia, then a fourth year student with his coach Mr. Eduardo C. Mira.

The new school canteen was blessed by Bishop Jose Manguiran on June 9, 2014 together with the newly renovated faculty room, computer laboratory and clinic.

In line with the implementation of the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 and Republic Act No, 10157, Saint Mary’s Academy opened its doors to its first batch of Grade 9 students in the SY 2014-2015.

In SY 2016-2017, the Alumni Batch ’89 donated 32 pieces of monobloc armchairs for the senior highschool students.

The school’s application to offer Senior high School(Academic Tracks – STEM, ABM, and Tech-Voc/TVL Track – ICT and IA was granted with Government Permit No. 0037, S. 2015 last September 2015. The following SY 2017-2018, GAS strand was approved with Government Permit No. 028, S. 2017 last April 2017. The First Batch of Senior High School ABM students graduated in March 2018 and Second and last Batch STEM SHS students in March 2019. After a thorough assessment, analysis and discernment, the Board of Trustees decided to close the SHS Program in March 2019 due to lack of facilities and human resources. Meanwhile, the school will strengthen its Basic Education programs.

The concerted efforts of the administration, faculty, staff, students, parents and alumni paid off after the PAASCU formal visit last January 25-26, 2016 and received the certification from PAASCU in May 2016, granting the Level 1 accreditation valid until May 2019.

In Summer of 2017, the repainting of the classrooms was completed sponsored by the PTACSMA (Parents, Teachers Advisory Council of Saint Mary’s Academy) to enhance aesthetic and ambiance for conducive learning.

The 125^th year of existence of Saint Mary’s Academy was celebrated in December 1-9, 2017 giving birth to a long list of generation of successful Alumni who have found their own niches in life and become the persons that SMA has envisioned them to be. Marians who are instruments in the formation of a just and humane society and are living testimonials to the institution’s meaningful and noteworthy existence.

In December 28, 2017 the High School Batch 1992 as Silver Jubilarians donated ten (10) industrial wall fans and two (2) floor fans for the covered court. The Homecoming was well participated and attended by different batches and Batch 1993 donated four (4) portable/movable steel risers/bleachers for the covered court.

In February 2018, the PTACSMA (Parents, Teachers Advisory Council of Saint Mary’s Academy) donated 8HD CCTV Cameras installed in the covered court.

In May 2018, three (3) additional comfort rooms for the Grade School Department were constructed and in November 2018 the Speech Laboratory was replaced by a brand new unit.

In July 2019, a drinking fountain in the students lounge was provided.

In September 27, 2019 the School Community Involvement Program spearheaded the First Medical and Dental Mission held at SMA, Covered Court in partnership with the City Government Unit, Department of Health Office, the City Social Welfare Department Office, Alumni, Parents and PTACSMA (Parents, Teachers Advisory Council of Saint Mary’s Academy). The service was given to the SMA Adopted Community in Barangay Look, Estaka, and Drop-In Center, Gabay-Agak in Sta. Isabel, Dipolog City.

The whole academic community joined efforts in the preparation of the incoming PAASCU Revisit on December 2-3, 2019 for Level 2 and now another milestone has been achieved that the school had past the challenges of a global standards to have a quality formative education and it was granted last February 21, 2020.

The school is very blessed with very supportive parents and Alumni who ceaselessly support the administrators, teachers, students and all members of the academic community towards the attainment of its goal and avowed vision and mission.

Where,St. Mary’s Academy of Dipolog is the only PAASCU Accredited school in Zamboanga del Norte and we are looking forward for another 5 years from now on to be visited again for the next level.