BRIEF HISTORY

Claret School of Quezon City was named after its patron saint, St. Anthony Mary Claret, who founded the Congregation of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1849, in the city of Vic, Spain.

Managed by the Claretian Missionaries, who are identified by the initials CMF (Cordis Mariae Filii, in Latin meaning Sons of the Heart of Mary), Claret School of Quezon City was founded in June 1967.

  • Fr. Jose Querexeta, CMF, former Diocesan Bishop of Basilan Province, acquired a 29,101 sq.m. lot in UP Village, Diliman, Quezon City.
  • Fr. Miguel Mialet, CMF, supervised the construction of the first permanent building.
  • Fr. Santiago Gonzalez, CMF, became the first School Director and Principal who held post from its first year of operation until 1981.
  • Fr. Gonzalez, CMF, was succeeded by several other Claretian priests like Fr. Julian Mateos, CMF, Fr. Jesus Vasquez, CMF, Fr. Emilio Pablo, CMF, Fr. Luis Fernandez Rey, CMF, and Fr. Domingo Moraleda, CMF.
  • After this, Claret School of Quezon City was placed under the supervision of a lay director, Dr. Enrique Coralejo, from 1981 until 1995.
  • Fr. Agapito Ferrero, CMF, succeeded Dr. Coralejo, rendering service as School Director, from 1995 until 2001.
  • From SY 2001-2002 until SY 2005-2006, the leadership of the school was handled by Fr. Felimon Libot, CMF, the first Filipino Claretian priest who was assigned as school director.
  • From SY 2006-2007 until SY 2008-2009, the leadership of the school was handled by Fr. Salvador Agualada, Jr., CMF.
  • From SY 2009-2010, the leadership of the school was handled by Fr. Eduardo C. Apungan, CMF.
  • Fr. Renato B. Manubag, CMF, the current School Director, started his work on June 1, 2010.

Claret School of Quezon City is composed of three departments, namely: Preschool, Grade School and High School departments. The Preschool department accepts boys and girls with the following age brackets : 3-4 year-olds for Nursery; 5 year-olds for Kinder; 6 year-olds for Prep. The Grade School and High School departments spanning from Grade 1 to Grade 7, and then from First Year to Fourth Year, are exclusively for boys.

The Grade School Department of Claret School of Quezon City was formally accredited by the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU) on March 15, 1978. Succeeding reaccreditations in 1982, 1988, 1994, 2000, 2005 and 2009 attest to the high standards which the Grade School has achieved in the following areas: school and community, faculty, administration/school staff, instructional programs, student services, student activity programs, and facilities.

The High School Department received its formal accreditation by PAASCU on April 19, 1991. It was granted reaccreditation by the same organization in 1995 and then in 2001, in recognition of its continuous upgrading in the areas of instruction, faculty, school and community, administration, student services, student activity program, and facilities. In 2006, the High School was granted reaccreditation for another five years (until 2011) attesting to the high standard of education being offered by the department. The High School is due for another PAASCU revisit next school year, 2010-2011.

Aside from its membership in the PAASCU, Claret School of Quezon City also takes active roles in the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP), Association of Private Schools Administrators, Inc. (APSA, Inc.) the QC-Marikina Grade School Consortium, and the Private Secondary School Administrators Association of the Philippines (PRISSAAP).

In the school year 2003–2004, the Association of Claret Schools in the Philippines, Inc. (ACSPI) was formally established and this further strengthened the linkages of the four Claret Schools in the Philippines: Claret School of Quezon City, Claret School of Zamboanga, Claret College of Isabela, and Claret School of Tumahubong in Basilan Province.

COAT OF ARMS

Claret logoThe school coat of arms is an important emblem that reflects many things about St. Anthony Mary Claret. It is a symbol which every Claretian should know, understand and cherish with pride and affection.

The school emblem is distinctly divided into two portions: the ROYAL BLUE at the right side and the FIERY RED at the left with prominent SUNLIGHT YELLOW color on the representations within these spheres. The yellow color indicates light. It represents the Light of the World, Jesus Christ who illumines the saint’s environment, lays bare to light his relationships, and permeates even into the deepest recesses of his soul.

The right portion in royal blue represents the geo-relational life of the saint. The blue color is geographically associated with the sky above the land and the water below. Within it shows a glorious RISING SUN that indicates the east and the QUARTER MOON which is in higher position from the ground indicates the west with a STONE BRIDGE below these heavenly bodies. The sun stands for the paternal name “Claret,” who hails from the eastern side of Sallent, Vic, Spain while the quarter moon which prominently rises on the west stands for the maternal name “Clara”, who hails from the western bank. “Claret” and “Clara” are words related to “claridad” which means light or is associated with light in Spanish. The sun meaningfully symbolizes also the Son of God, made Man, Jesus Christ, resplendent in His might and love; while the moon stands for Mary, who, like the moon, receives and reflects the radiant light from the sun, the sunlight of God’s love. The stone bridge over the river connects the eastern and western banks of the town of Sallent which facilitates the union in marriage of the saint’s parents, Juan and Josefa that brings forth the birth of Anthony. It represents also a strong-as-rock filial union between Jesus and Mary that the saint always clings on all through his life and in his mission. It expresses also the saint’s filial love for Jesus and the Blessed Mother, thus establishing his spiritual birth as well. This depiction shows the saint’s fascination of the place of his birth and of his deep respect for his parents which facilitate him to understand and have meaning in his life the heavenly realities.

The left side of the emblem with fiery red depicts the inner or spiritual life of the saint. The red color is associated internally with blood and externally with fire. The color depicts his desire for martyrdom—a true servant of the Word and a witness to God’s reign in his very life. It shows also his flaming passion for God and passion for humanity. Within the color red is the symbol of the IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY, patroness of the Congregation of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which St. Anthony Claret founded on July 16, 1849 with other diocesan priests namely, Joseph Xifre, Stephen Sala, Manuel Vilaro, Dominic Fabregas, and Jaime Clotet. The BURSTING FIRE from Mary’s heart symbolizes her ever faithful and limitless love for her Son, Jesus Christ. The RED ROSES stand for Mary’s tenderness, of her immeasurable respect by saying her decisive yes to the will of God, and of her meritorious and great love for God and the Church despite the thorns of life which go along with her journey as the mother of Jesus Christ. The PIERCED SWORD in the heart represents Simeon’s prophesy (Lk. 2:35) which means that she is one in the sufferings of his son Jesus Christ which are caused by the sins of self-righteous people as represented by the right-thrust direction of the sword. The THREE WHITE LILIES represent Mary’s purity. Lilies grow, thrive and their beauty is much appreciated amidst murky waters which depicts the Blessed Mother as the Immaculate Mother, pure and chaste amidst the sins of the world as announced by Archangel Gabriel of her being blessed and full of grace (Lk.1:28) in relation to her motherhood to the Son of God. The lilies also refer to St. Anthony’s favorite saints, St. Anthony de Padua, St. Louis Gonzaga, and St. Dominic de Guzman known for their practice of purity and exemplary devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was on St. Anthony de Padua’s feast, 13 June 1835 that Anthony Claret was ordained as a priest. It was at the church of St. Anthony of Padua where he celebrated his first mass on the Feast Day of St. Louis of Gonzaga, the patron of an organization which St. Anthony Claret belonged as a seminarian.

At the bottom part of the emblem are the words SCIENTIA MAXIME CUM VIRTUTE. Translated, it means “knowledge is best with virtue.” This phrase has been embodied by the school as its motto for the institution’s search for knowledge and the promotion of intellectual growth, which is made more sublime with the practice of virtue.

The school coat of arms has a history of its own. Every single detail brings with it a deep meaning and the motto SCIENTIA MAXIME CUM VIRTUTE leads us to the ultimate ideal which every Claretian should live.

PHILOSOPHY

Claret School of Quezon City, inspired by the ideals and charism of St. Anthony Mary Claret, is committed to the promotion and realization of God’s reign. The reign of God is God’s definitive offer of salvation in which the human person experiences total well-being and wholeness. Thus, Claret School of Quezon City aims to promote the integral formation of students as succintly stated by the motto SCIENTIA MAXIME CUM VIRTUTE or Knowledge is Best with Virtue.

Faithful to the charism of St. Anthony Mary Claret, this institution strives to build a community committed to life and to form individuals whose academic excellence is best exercised through the outstanding practice of Christian values. The holistic formation acquired in school will lead the student to:

  • be COMPASSIONATE to the suffering people, most especially to the poor and the marginalized sector of the Philippine society;
  • be HUMBLE in sharing one’s talents and accepting one’s weaknesses - to see or deal with others as equal human persons having the same rights and concerns;
  • be EXCELLENT in whatever he aspires to be, to do, and in whatever duty he is tasked to perform as productive, Christian Filipino;
  • be EMPOWERING, with a kind of leadership that inspires others and allows for active and dynamics participation;
  • have a profound RESPECT FOR LIFE; and
  • be SERVICE-ORIENTED, willing to help to anyone by working for the well-being of others and by supporting social transformation that builds a just and humane society.

Thus, Claret School of Quezon City is committed to provide students the experience of an integrated Christian life through meaningful activities that will lead to their formation as productive individuals and social beings fully responsive to the needs of humanity.

St. Anthony Mary Claret, a servant of the Word, proclaimed the Good News of Salvation and its message of solidarity, justice, hope, and the reign of God in which there is a sense of being totally human and of being fully alive. Hence, along with his mission, Claret School of Quezon City answers the call of prophetic and liberating evangelization. This institution contextually adheres to the signs of the times to build a more humane society by paying attention to what is most urgent, opportune, and effective. In so doing, the school aims to mold individuals whose acquired knowledge is best expressed and manifested in virtue and in working towards the social transformation of the Filipino society.

VISION-MISSION

St. Anthony Mary Claret, the founder of the Claretian Missionaries and the school patron saint, was a man who loved youth and loved to be surrounded by children so he could lead them through life towards the Father. He further displayed a special concern and interest for the poor, believing that

“the youth should deal with the poor in the same way they would like to be treated if they were in their place; to pity, to comfort, to help and to make everything possible to alleviate their sufferings.”

St. Anthony Mary Claret’s own experience of his missionary vocation was the organizing principle of his existence and the deep motivation which guided his entire life and apostolic activity. This experience of Claret, in turn, has become the source of inspiration and incentive for the Claretian Congregation in response to their vocation in the Church and in the world today.

The school seeks the following VISION:

Inspired by the ideals and charism of St. Anthony Mary Claret, Claret School of Quezon City, in its commitment to the building of God’s Kingdom through integral education, envisions a community of disciples who are academically excellent and are faithful servants of the word.

In keeping with this, Claret School of Quezon City hereby declares its MISSION:

To develop individuals who are competent in the exercise of intellectual faculties and outstanding in the practice of Christian values.

To keep the community sensitive to the plight of the poor and the needy and to the challenges of the Church and the changing world.

To work for the promotion of justice and peace and the preservation of the integrity of creation.

The school motto is very well reflected in the school’s coat-of-arms: SCIENTIA MAXIME CUM VIRTUTE or “KNOWLEDGE IS BEST WITH VIRTUE.” This motto emphasizes that the attainment of knowledge and the discovery of truth are best when achieved and lived with virtues necessary to develop a responsible and loving individual committed to the teachings of Jesus Christ.

INSTITUTIONAL GOALS

In keeping with the school motto SCIENTIA MAXIME CUM VIRTUTE, the institution aims to produce
A FILIPINO who:

TAKES PRIDE in being a RESPONSIBLE and PRODUCTIVE citizen of this country;
is RESPECTFUL and APPRECIATIVE of his cultural heritage; and,
STANDS FOR and PROMOTES the interest and well-being of his people.

A CATHOLIC who:

is CHRIST’S DISCIPLE in the modern world, COMMITTED to grow in faith,
is SENSITIVE and RESPONSIVE to the needs of the poor;
is MINDFUL of the cry of the whole creation; and
he CARES for the integrity of Mother Nature and SAVES her beauty and treasures; and,

A CLARETIAN who:

is COMPETENT in the exercise of intellectual faculties and OUTSTANDING in the practice of Christian values;
is an OBEDIENT HEARER and FAITHFUL SERVER of God's word;
and DEDICATED WITNESS of the REIGN OF GOD, and
inspired by the ideals of St. Anthony Mary Claret and the examples of the Blessed Mother.

These institutional goals have been trimmed down to specific core values captured by the acronym C.H.E.E.R.S., the development of which is geared towards the molding of a “community committed to life.” Upon the student’s graduation from high school, he would have been molded into a Claretian who is COMPASSIONATE, HUMBLE, EXCELLENT, EMPOWERING, has RESPECT for life, and is SERVICE-ORIENTED.