HISTORY
Overall Description of the Community and the School
Community Profile
The school community is composed of families 20 % of which belong to the middle class, 30 % of the average income group and the rest, that is the majority, to which most of our students come from Barangay Escopa I, II, III, and IV, is a conglomeration of families who live on vending. Many parents are jobless , some house wives and husbands accept laundry and carpentry work respectively and earn not enough to make both end meet. The more ambitious ones try to get financial support from various foundation to be able to pursue high school education. To date, there are some families whose parents are given the opportunity to work abroad as Overseas Filipino Workers. This, however, becomes the cause of broken families, so that many of our students drop school because the children are left under the care of relatives who cannot really extend the tender loving care and training that the children truly need.
It is fortunate that community leaders particularly the parent officers of the school General Parent Teacher Association (GPTA), the Barangay leaders led by the Barangay Captains especially the Barangay Milagrosa, Escopa and Marilag and the alumni who have jointly been working to help Jose P. Laurel secure its need in improving the quality of instruction to its clients.
Jose P, Laurel Sr. High School is strategically located in Project 4, Quezon City with P. Tuazon Boulevard as the main thorough fare. Its proximity to the commercial center , the public market, the police station, government , private hospitals, multi- purpose center of the district makes it accessible to both public utility vehicles and private transportation.
The four public elementary schools and and several private institutions of learning within the area and even from some barangays in Marikina prefer to send their children to this school. However, the relocation of some families due to inundation caused a decline in school population.
History and overall description of the school
Introduction
The ideal location of Jose P. Laurel Sr. High School in the business center of Project 4, makes it accessible via P. Tuazon Boulevard route plied by public utility vehicles. Motorized tricycle also provide access of commuters to the peripheral streets of Project 4 which is an urbanized residential area. Our school is located beside the Public Market of Project 4, fronting a park, Central Police Station 8 and Fire Station, SB Multi-purpose Center where the Public Library and Cooperative Store are located. Along P. Tuazon are Save More Supermarket and Daily Supermarket. Several blocks away from the school is Quirino memorial Center and DOH Regional Office.
Most of the residents of Project 4 are average income earners and belonging to the middle class families who usually send their children to private schools; however, lately, many parents have transferred their children to public schools. The influx of formal settlers in C-5 area added to the students who come from Escopa I, II, III, IV. The proximity and accessibility of the school to Marikina and Pasig also attracts students from Bagumbayan in Pasig, Industrial Valley and Barangka in Marikina.
Majority of the students studying at JPLSHS graduated from Pura V. kalaw Elementary School and Teodora Alonzo Elementary School. About 10% of the parents of our students work abroad, particularly the Middle East, consequently, their children are left to the care of the grandparents or other relatives.
Majority of the students live normal lives, however there are times when they encounter economic difficulties. It is also sadly noted that many students come from broken homes, hence, internalization of normal values poses a great challenge to the administration and the faculty.
With unity among teachers and in collaboration with various stakeholders and supportive alumni, optimism prevails.
History
Jose P. Laurel Sr. High School was then known as Quirino High School, Project 4 Annex and started operations in SY 1965-1966. It is situated on a 3,678.20 square meter lot along Salalilla Street in Project 4, Quezon City. Mrs. Hera Elegado, together with 19 teachers from Quirino High School were the pioneer faculty members. A two story, six room building of the then People’s High School was initially used to accommodate 435 first year students distributed to eight sections. The enrolment gradually increased so with the number of teachers until they were able to offer the complete secondary course.
In SY 1968-1969, Quirino High School Project 4 Annex became independent and was renamed Jose P. Laurel Sr. High School, Mr. Florencio Dumlao was appointed as the first principal. He strengthened the teaching force through additional teacher items and fine department head items.
In 1972, Mr. Dumlao was transferred to Novaliches High School and Mr. Ernesto Anunciacion took over the helm. Mr. Anunciacion improved the school facilities and procured books, laboratory equipment and other necessary instructional materials.
On June 18, 1984, Mr. Anunciacion was transferred to Novaliches High School and Mrs. Josefa Maglipon took over the principalship. Upon Mrs. Maglipon’s retirement. Mr. Alfredo Principe was assigned as the new principal. He carried on with the project of his predecessors, and during his tenure, the NALGU and COSETENG Building were constructed to accommodate the classes that were organized after the implementation of the Free Secondary Education Program of the government.
On August 18, 1989, Mrs. Norma Mapanao was assigned as the new principal. Cleanliness and beautification was given emphasis. Students discipline was likewise strictly imposed. Mrs. Paz Gemoto, Head of the Mathematics department was designated as Assistant to the Principal. Their tandem boasted the academic performance and achievements of the school.
Mr. Manuel Dingcong took over the principalship in June 1990. He continued with the unfinished projects of his predecessors. During his tenure, the JPLSHS Belarmino Annex was opened to accommodate the freshmen students.
Mrs. Paz Gemoto was designated as Head Teacher-in-Charge. Their efficient teamwork resulted in marked improvements, especially in infrastructure. They extensively worked for beautification and cleanliness of the school premises.
Mrs. Fe Neri, Head, Social studies Department took over the helm of Belarmino Annex upon the promotion of Mrs. Gemoto to Krus na Ligas high School. Mrs. Neri pursued Academic excellence through the support of Mr. Dingcong who worked for the upgrading of physical academic and social conditions of the school. On August 9, 1991, the NALGU Bldg. was formally turned over to the school.
Mr. Manuel Dingcong was promoted and was assigned to Mandaluyong High School. Mr. William Barcena, a very liberal and democratic head of agency supported the participation in various academic and non-academic activities and contents. “The Laurel” was adjudged Best School Paper of the year during the 1994 National Secondary Schools Press Conference in Baguio City. Moreover, Mr. Barcena has also shown concern to the needs of students and teachers.
Soon after the retirement from the service of Mrs. Neri, Mr. Alfredo dela Cruz was designated as Head Teacher-in-Charge of Belarmino Annex. Through the administrative support of Mr. Barcena the short stint of Mr. dela Cruz resulted to notable improvements in Belarmino Annex. Mrs. Norma Arao was the successor of Mr. Dela Cruz and she implemented various projects, especially on urban agriculture. She gave emphasis to punctuality of teachers and students and on active participation on various competitions.
In November 1994, Dr. Noemi Moncada assumed the principalship. She initiated changes which paved the way to academic achievements as the school ranked 4th in the 1995 NCEE (Division Wide). The administration Building (Roldan Bldg.) was turned over. Meanwhile, Mrs. Adelaida Petipet was designated as Head teacher-in-Charge of Belarmino Annex, however, upon the orders of duly conststituted authorities; Belarmino Annex was closed and first year students were absorbed in JPLSHS main.
Dr. Moncada was eventually transferred to Culiat High School and Mrs. Emma Bautista took over the principalship. Against all odds, the school continually maintained excellent academic performance. It was during Mrs. Bautista”s tenure that condemned building were demolished in 1999.
On October 02, 2002, Mrs. Felicisima Tañedo assumed the principalship. A very approachable administrator, she has established rapport not only among teachers but also among students.
In June 2004, Mrs. Adelaida Petipet was assigned as principal she spearheaded the “ Adopt-a-Child Program to help indigent students and the DEAR Program or Drop Everything and Read to upgrade the reading proficiency level of students. The Belmonte Building was also formally turned over so students may have a conducive place for their classes.
Dr. Luningning Milan assumed the principalship of JPLSHS upon the retirement of Mrs. Petipet. She put up department centers will have a comfortable area during their vacant periods. The School Governing Council (SGC) also actively collaborated with various stakeholders.
On October 05, 2009, Dr. Eladio H. Escolano was installed as Principal. Within his first few weeks, radical changes have taken place. A new set of GPTA officers, headed by Mr. Gil Castro as President, were elected and inducted to office by then DepEd Secretary Jesli Lapus in a ceremony attended by national and local government officials. The monument of Dr. Jose Rizal was erected ; a covered court was constructed through Councilor Jorge Banal Jr. and a Laureliana Collection and Library was put up courtesy of Honorable Michael Defensor.
On June 2011, Mrs Lucia Herrera toke over the principalship. Whose objective is to established good rapport among all employee.