History of the School

         At the beginning, the school had a hard time in establishing its structures and organization. One reason being seen was its small land area and the number of people living in the community. Despite of these hindrances, the officials did everything so that they can help the children attend to school before the war. At first, they conducted their classes in the house of Teniente del Barrio Eusebio Cruz until the time when they were able to build their own school on ½ hectare lot of Mr. and Mrs. Vicente Orosa from Quezon City. This lot was sold to Mr. Romulo, the father of Mrs. Amelia Crisostomo y Buencamino who donated the lot to the school. The first building of the school was built on 1936, 11 years after Catulinan was officially a barangay in Baliwag.

         At the start, it was known as Catulinan Primary School which was composed of only four classrooms for grades one to four only but with only one teacher, Mr. Santos. Sometimes, the Principal of “Intermediate” which is now known as Baliwag South Central School visited the school for monitoring and supervision. The grades 5 and 6 pupils continued their study in Intermediate.

         When the World War II began, the pupils stopped going to school. Fortunately, the school buildings were not destroyed. In 1945, it was opened again but teachers chose to teach in the chapel and Health Center. After the war, families returned to their home which caused the decrease in the number of pupils in the school. Some prominent teachers who taught here were Dr. Alejandro Cruz followed by Mrs. Elena Salvador, both handled combination classes of grades one and two.

         In 1962, during the time of Mrs. Jovita Tiburcio, the school buildings were used again but they were destroyed because of Typhoon Dading on June 9, 1964. Mr. Ricardo Martin, the kapitan del Barrio, led the community to rebuild the school. For four years, they conducted their classes in the chapel and in the Health Center until it was finished and it was under the supervision of the Principal of Barangay Tilapayong.

         In 1966, in a program for the Induction of newly elected barangay captain, the Representative of Second District, Mr. Rogaciano Mercado, heard the poem “Ang Kahilingan” by Mr. Santiago Salvador that was recited by his daughter Catalina Salvador, both from Catulinan. From then, the District Representative promised to help them find a way to grant their wish which is to have school buildings.

         In 1969, there was an additional Marcos Type building with three classrooms. Unfortunately, the number of pupils decreased in 1975, that’s why only grades one and two were left, and a teacher. Because of this, the grade three pupils have to transferr to nearby barangay schools. In 1982, the Marcos Type building was replaced by Bagong Lipunan Type building with three classrooms.

         In 1994, the number of teachers and pupils increased. They catered grades 1 to 4 pupils.

         It was in year 1997 when the school offered a complete elementary course, from grade 1 to grade 6 with four teachers. The first Graduation Program was witnessed by the community members and was attended by Dr. Adoracion D. Cruz, District Supervisor. 

         On September 15, 1999 the school had its first Teacher-in-Charge, Mrs. Aniceta G. Hernandez. This signaled that the school was now on its own and it was not a satellite school of Tilapayong anymore. The school continuously improve in terms of the number of pupils and teachers, and the physical facilities. The water supply, comfort rooms in each classroom, garden fences, and other improvements were done under the supervision of the school heads who handled the school namely: Mrs. Edelmira Dorega, Mrs. Luisa E. Santos, and Mrs. Ma. Aurea Rhodora DC. Geronimo subsequently. Right now, the Head Teacher of the school is Mrs. Lorna E. Bojangin.

         At present, Catulinan Elementary School already got a long way. From a grazing area of animals, a barn or warehouse of palay, a school were teachers don’t want to be assigned, today, with the help of each stakeholders: the pupils, the teachers, barangay officials, LGU’s, NGO’s , universities, private corporations and individuals, the school is now known in providing quality education and a child-friendly environment conducive to learning. It bloomed from Nothing to Something. A school in the middle of palayan.