Since 1996, PAREF Springdale School has remained committed to its promise of molding Christian gentlemen and families of character for the community, the nation, and the world.

Springdale belongs to Parents for Education Foundation, Inc. (PAREF), a non-stock, not-for-profit organization committed to empowering and collaborating with parents in their children's education through a mix of academic excellence and sound character formation.

Established in 1976, PAREF is grounded on St. Josemaría Escriva's teachings, who believed that children are properly educated when the agents involved in their education are the integrally formed - of parents first, and secondly, their teachers. Their holistic formation shall come as a natural consequence when these agents of their education are properly formed.

PAREF schools are technically referred to as single-sex schools, meaning boys and girls are separately educated. As shown in various studies conducted in the United States and Europe, single-sex schools offer a more personalized and progressive approach to learning over coeducation. Research has shown that boys and girls are better taught separately due to their mental development, learning approaches, and maturity.

Currently, there are 14 PAREF Schools nationwide: two (2) all-girls schools, four (4) all-boys schools, and eight (8) co-educational pre-schools.

In Cebu, a group of Cebu-based families wanted their children a school set up with the same educational thrusts and philosophy as the PAREF Schools in Metro Manila. Southcrest was the first PAREF campus built along Sanjercastvil Road in Lahug in 1993 to cater to the rising demand for early childhood education.

Eventually, the male graduates of the pre-school needed a basic education institution; thus, the conception of Springdale along J. Solon Drive in Lahug in 1996. Southcrest then continued to offer basic education for girls.

Springdale currently offers Basic Education levels (Grades 1 to 12).