Brief History

Pag-asa National High School is located at Pag-asa, a sitio of Barangay Rawis, a seaside fishing and industrial barrio of Legazpi City in Bicol Region. At about 500 meters east of PNHS is the shoreline of Albay Gulf and about the same distance to the west lies the majestic, alluring landmark of Albay Province, the Mayon Volcano, one of the world’s greatest wonders.The original name of Pag-asa National High School was City Experimental High School, later on changed to Rawis Barrio High School due to the approval of RA 6054, creating the Barrio High School Charter authored by Dr. Pedro T. Orata of Pangasinan.

The first day of classes began on August 20, 1965 occupying 3 classrooms at Rawis Elementary School. It started with two sections, 38 and 32 students, respectively. In 1974 when Legazpi City Division was created, Mr. Josue Camba as first school Schools Division Superintendent, Rawis Barrio High School was changed to Pag-asa Barangay Vocational High School. After more than five years of difficulties, in 1983, it was elevated to a National High School status by virtue of Batas Pambansa No. 388 sponsored by Congressman Carlos R. Imperial. It was in School Year 1976-1977 when the school transferred to its present school site. The late Mrs. Carolina A. Lanuzo was its first appointed Secondary School Principal.

Pag-asa National High School aims to develop the fullest potentials of individual students in building a peaceful and progressive community. It provides equitable access to quality education with the aim of developing the knowledge, skills, attitude and values of students necessary for a productive life. From three permanent teachers, it has increased to 135 teaching and 15 non-teaching personnel. Teachers are given training and scholarship for their personal and professional growth.

In 1993, there was a marked increase in enrolment and the school needed additional classrooms. Again, it was through the efforts of Congressman Carlos Imperial that a 13-classroom building was constructed in its annex site which is 100 meters away from the main campus. Due to rapid increase of enrolment and with the purpose of decongesting the classrooms, the opening of extension schools was thought of by Mrs. Consuelo Fe L. Panesa, the second officially appointed Secondary School Principal of PNHS. Three extension schools were opened, namely: Gogon Extension, Arimbay Extension, and Pawa Extension.

Pag-asa National High School from its establishment has earned various recognitions such as, second place Regional Search for the Most Effective Secondary School (General Curriculum Category) in 1999-2000, a three-year consecutive undefeated champion in the Division Science and Math Quiz, over the high performing schools in the Legazpi City Division, Bicol University, Aquinas University (now University of Sto. Tomas-Legazpi, St. Agnes' Academy. Also, student writers and English school paper Adviser, Mr. Jeremy A. Cruz had multiple awards in Campus Journalism not only in the Regional but also in National Level. Its school paper “The Dawn” was adjudged 8^th placer in 2003 and 5^th placer in 2004, respectively, as the Best School Placer. In 2013 – 2014, Pag-asa National High School was given recognition and awards by the Metro Manila Development Authority for Movie Trailer Making Contest MMFF Cinephone Contest. Likewise, in 2015 it was awarded as 4th Place Best Implementer Exceptional School Category (2015 BRIGADA ESKWELA) all throughout the Bicol region and as Best Achiever for Belly Gud for Health and Best Achiever for the Promotion of Innovative Healthy Lifestyle Campaign which were given by the Department of Health.

Thus, PNHS was born as an educational institution to establish a name and prestige that has become enviable and a record-worthy to be kept in the annals of secondary education as the school suggests, Pag-asa will always be a hope to those who vanquish illiteracy and poverty.