SCHOOL BACKGROUND

Kao Elementary School is strategically located at Barangay Sto. Niňo, Nabunturan, Davao de Oro which is 4 kilometers away from the Nabunturan East District Office. With an area of 12, 031 square meters, it fosters a love for learning, and this is clearly seen in its location which makes difference from other schools. It is well placed in a natural setting with beautiful flowers around coupled with spacious Gulayan sa Paaralan where vegetables abundantly planted. The adjacent location of Sto. Niňo chapel honed to realize the core values of Maka-Diyos as embedded in DepEd Vision and Mission.

The school was opened on June 1, 1951, and temporarily holding classes under the full shaded Mango tree. Kao Elementary School became the center of education of neighboring places like Matilo, Batinao, Magangit and Cabacungan. When Barangay Captain Simeon Amora elected as Municipal Councilor, he passed a resolution changing Kao to Sto. Niňo. In 1957, it was approved that Kao is officially changed to Sto. Niňo. The name of the school remained into Kao Elementary School because of its significant value which remarkably taken from the name of queer bird -KALAW.

In the year 1969-1970, Kao Elementary School awarded as champion in the National Level Contest as the Most Beautiful School Ground through the effort of the school head Mr. Ireneo A. Salarda, teachers, and the parents of barangay Sto. Niňo. Eventually, the school also produced top-calibrated players in batted games specifically on baseball which was organized by Mr. Salarda and later trained by a well-known coach Mr. Ramon C. Labastida. It became popular in the entire division of Davao del Norte that splendidly won three times in Palarong Pambansa.

Within seventy (70) years of existence (1951-2021), however, Kao ES has been managed and led by great educational leaders lauded with flying colors of achievements. Aside from being legendary in sports and beautification, Kao ES bagged some of the most prestigious awards from National, Regional and local recognitions. The following educational leaders marked significant contributions to Kao ES to wit;

MRS. TOLENTINO TAGLE, School Head (1952 – 1953)

MR. TIMOTEO GARCIA, School Head (1953 – 1954)

MR. FAUSTINO ADOR, School Head (1954 – 1955)

MRS. NATIVIDAD S. LABASTIDA, School In-Charge (1955 - 1965)

MR. IRENEO A. SALARDA, School In-Charge (1965 - 1974)

MRS. CORAZON FLORES, School In-Charge (1974 - 1977)

MRS. LUCILA S. ABA-A, School Head (1977 – 1978)

MRS. ESTHER J. BLANZA, School Principal 1 (1978 - 1979)

MRS. LYDIA A. AMANTE, School Principal 1 (1979 - 1991)

MRS. HONORATA A. SALARDA, School In-Charge (1991 - 1992)

MRS. AGAPITO L. CLET, School Head (1992 - 2001)

MRS. VICTORIA S. ABAA, School In-Charge (2001 - 2009)

MR. EDILBERTO B. MACARAYAN, Head Teacher II (2009 - 2013)

MRS. GINALYN A. VERTUDAZO, School Principal 1 (2013 - 2018)

MR. CRESANTO B. COSADIO, School Principal 1 (2018 - Present)

Now, Kao Elementary School has a population of 189 pupils with 8 teaching staff headed by a full-pledge principal. The dedicated, committed and passion-driven teachers like Hazel P. Alico, Inah Grace Marie F. Maza, Elyn Bhe Q. Relatado, Frelipacar B. Gucor, Rachelle Ann G. Labastida, Zenaida C. Reguya, Janice S. Mahinay, and Master Teacher Alma Cecilia S. Quiao molded the culture of excellence bearing the slogan of “Basta Kao, Wow”. The school has 8 classrooms, Clinic, Guidance, DRRM Office, Faculty Room, Library, Science & Mathematics Laboratory, Canteen, E-Room/Computer Laboratory, DBC room, multi-Purpose/Social Hall, Home Economics Buildings, and the newly built Gymnasium.

Furthermore, the school continuously produce several professionals since its existence. As fact of the matter, four alumni teachers are currently teaching in Kao Elementary School. As achiever school, Kao ES constantly belong to the top 5 performing school of Nabunturan East District. Yet, School Performance Indicators data are measures of various operational and functional aspects of organization and provide evidential bases to determine the extent to which school goals and objective had met.

Finally, having the school brand of “ Amazing Kao ES, Home the Best”, the school yielded out several recognitions & awards like ; Champion-Lanog Sa Nabunturan (December 10-14, 2018); back to back Kasikas sa Kapitolyo-Best Majorettes & Best Band Major (2019) & 2nd Place of Bulawan Festival Drum & Bugle corp. competition ; 2-time Regional Awardee of Brigada Eskwela (BE) best Implementing school ( 2018-2019; 2019-2020) and recently recognized as top 10 in 2020 National Search of project W.A.T.C.H. (We Advocate Time Consciousness and Honesty) best implementing school nationwide. With this, Kao ES serves as catalyst of change to the whole district of Nabunturan East District insofar as project W.A.T.C.H. Program implementation is concerned.