School Profile and History

SCHOOL PROFILE

Mother of Divine Providence School (MDPS) is a private Catholic educational institution owned and managed by the Angelic Sisters of Saint Paul (ASP). It began as a preschool in 1988, expanded to include elementary education in 1990, and added secondary education in 1996. The school is located in Barangay Marikina Heights, an area renowned for its educational institutions and lush greenery.

MDPS offers programs for nursery, kindergarten, elementary school, and both junior and senior high school. The student body primarily consists of children from middle-class families, whose parents typically work in local or overseas jobs.

HISTORY

MDPS was established in 1987, barely two years after the first two ASP Sisters, Mother Alessandra Sala and Sister Teresa Bianco, arrived in the Philippines. During this time, construction of the sisters’ convent and the future preschool began. While the building was under construction, Mother Alessandra Sala applied to the Department of Education, Culture, and Sports (DECS) in the National Capital Region (NCR) for a permit to operate a nursery and kindergarten.

In 1988, MDPS officially opened its doors to ninety-one young learners: 33 (piccoli) in the nursery, 47 (medi) in kindergarten, 12 (grandi) in preparatory, along with 4 lay teachers and 3 classroom aides. Classes were conducted on the first floor of the newly built sisters’ convent. The educational approach was inspired by the methods of Maria Montessori and the Agazzi sisters, Carolina and Rosa, leading to the name Montessori-Agazzi Learning Center. A lay was designated as the preschool principal in the person of Mrs. Daral. That same year, DECS granted the school a government permit to operate its nursery and kindergarten programs.

In 1990, construction of the elementary building began on the lot adjacent to the convent. The building was completed a year later, in 1991. As the preschool moved into the new facility, grades 2 and 3 were added to the school's offerings. Sister Ruby Diva, ASP, who had recently returned from Italy, was appointed as the principal.

Also in that year, the Board of Trustees passed a resolution to change the corporate name from Mother of Divine Providence Montessori–Agazzi Learning Center, Inc. to Mother of Divine Providence School, Inc. This decision was made because the school was adopting a more eclectic educational approach. The administrators felt that the Montessori–Agazzi method, known in Italy as “scuola materna,” was less suitable for the elementary level.

In 1992, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved the change of the school's corporate name to Mother of Divine Providence School. This new name aligned with the Government Recognition granted to the Nursery and Kindergarten program by the Department of Education, Culture, and Sports (DECS) in the same year. This significant update was documented in the first edition of the MDPS Journal, the official newsletter of the school.

In 1993, the school's founder, Mo. Alessandra Sala, passed away. In accordance with her wish, she was buried on the convent grounds in the Philippines. Following her death, Sr. Teresa Bianco was appointed as the new school directress.

By 1994, the Government Recognition was granted for the complete elementary course at MDPS.

In 1995, the Commencement Exercises for the first group of elementary graduates were held. This group consisted of 11 boys and 12 girls. The special guest of honor during the graduation ceremony was Rev. Mother Armanda Ponsiglione, ASP, the Superior General of the Angelic Sisters of St. Paul.

In 2000, the commencement exercises for the first batch of high school graduates took place, which included 6 boys and 21 girls. The Eucharistic Mass was presided over by Rev. Fr. Ivo Anselmi, Provincial of the Camillian Fathers. The event was honored by the presence of Rev. Mother Maria Grazia Fusar Bassini, ASP, who was the Superior General of the Angelic Sisters of St. Paul at that time.

With the implementation of the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013, MDPS has been granted the permit to operate the Senior High School Program (Academic Tract) effective the school year 2016-2017. A new building, named Mother Armanda Ponsiglione Hall was constructed in 2017 to accommodate the senior high school students. In April 2018, the first commencement exercises of Grade 12 were held.

The school's passion for consistently improving its educational services inspired it to seek accreditation from Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools Colleges and Universities (PAASCU) and certification from the Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC). In 2011, the school was certified by PEAC and received PAASCU Level I accreditation status. During the PAASCU reaccreditation visit in 2015, MDPS was granted Level II accreditation status. In 2020 PAASCU revisit, MDPS retained its Level II reaccreditation status.

These achievements have inspired the entire academic community to work harder to sustain and nurture excellence in both academics and character formation programs.