HISTORY

Maria Clara Elementary School situated at Maria Clara St., 8^th Ave., Caloocan City, is the beneficiary of a lot awarded by the City by virtue of TCT No. 45005 registered in the name of the City of Caloocan.

The school was operational for years until its enrolment went down because of several elementary schools in the same area.  Having Cecilio Apostol Elementarty School in the same site, Maria Clara Elementary School was absorbed by CAES.

Due to the increase of enrolment of high school students every year, the Schools Division Superintendent, Dr. Elizabeth T. Manalo, initiated the opening of an Annex of Caloocan High School.  CHS-MARIA CLARA ANNEX became operational by virtue of the approval of the DECS Secretary Andrew Gonzales, and endorsed by NCR Director Corazon D. Santiago on June 2, 2000.

The plan to utilize the school building of Maria Clara Elementary School as Caloocan High School-Maria Clara Annex came about due to the following reasons:

• The enrolment of the aforesaid school last school year totaled only to four hundred twenty (420) pupils with thirteen (13) teachers and thirteen (13) academic classrooms.  The ratio therefore is 1:1.

• Caloocan High School has a total enrolment of 10,388 as of SY 1999-2000.

• There is a need to assign an annex to Caloocan High School in order to accommodate more high school students from District II portion of the City considering that there are only two secondary schools in the city proper. The other one is M.B. Asistio Sr. High School, located at the Dagat-Dagatan area which caters to the children of the relocates who started to transfer to the City from the different areas of Metro Manila 16 years ago.

The parents of Maria Clara Elementary School were informed of the plan since January 2000, when the first Assembly was conducted by Mrs. Digna Abao, Principal and Mrs. Norma Cabatuando, District Supervisor.  The second assembly was held on March 8, 2000 wherein the parents and teachers signed a resolution approving the convertion of Maria Clara Elementary School to CHS – Maria Clara Annex.

The name Maria Clara still remains as the beneficiary of the innovative step.

CHS – MARIA CLARA ANNEX opened its doors to 558 first year students last June 19, 2000.  They were divided into 12 sections under the care of 18 faculty members.  Despite the absence and lack of facilities, classes were conducted smoothly.  The Officer-In-Charge, Mrs. Teodora Madelyn V. Ilagan, Master Teacher from M.B. Asistio Sr. High School, was able to solicit several furniture and equipment for use of teachers and students to facilitate teaching and learning.

Now, on its second year of operation, population has increased to 893 with an average class size of 69.  Because of this increase, there is also an increase of three teachers.

For its physical facilities improvement, the Marcos-type building was demolished to be replaced by a 12 classroom-3 storey building.  This project was approved by the city government. Unlike the previous school year where students sit on the floor during classes, there is now more than enough number of tablet armchairs.  The acquisition of these was through donation – 620 pcs. Were donated by Levi Strauss, Phil. and 155 came from the City School Board.  No less than the Schools Division Superintendent together with the Division Supply Officer, Supervisors and the Principal of Caloocan High School, Dr. Erlinda M. Fornoles were present during the turn-over of these donation to the school. 

With this humble beginning, CHS – MARIA CLARA ANNEX envisions a learning institution that contributes to building a national culture of excellence.  Its mission is to deliver quality secondary education by:

1. providing a learning environment conducive to effective teaching and learning;
2. offering varied learning opportunities for the total development of the students;
3. employing the best teachers who efficiently and effectively deliver;
4. encouraging personal and professional growth for staff and faculty;
5. fostering home-school collaboration; and
6. establishing linkages for resources.

          In June 18,2004, MCA was separated from its mother school, Caloocan High School as per approval of the then NCR Regional Director, Dr. Corazon D. Santiago of its request for separation. This is through the efforts of Mrs. Ilagan, the OIC of the school from June 2000 until June 23, 2005. After Mrs. Ilagan, Mrs. Charito Matias took over and stayed until October 12,2005. Below is the list of OICs/Principal who served MCHS:

Mrs. Teodora Madelyn V. Ilagan                June 2000- June 22,2005

Mrs. Charito R. Matias                                June 23,2005- October 11,2005

Mrs. Virginia L. Villaverde                         October 12,2005- April 23,2006

Miss Helen Grace V. Go                               April 24,2006 – October 8, 2009

Mr. Buddy F. Arcangel                                October 9, 2009- September 23, 2010

Dr. Imelda G. Caro                                       September 24, 2010 – December 6, 2013

Mrs. Teodorica DR. Zuñiga                         December 7, 2013 – April 24, 2014

Mr. Alvin D. Angus                                      April 25, 2014 – April 23, 2015

Mrs. Ermelinda C. Ferrer                           April 24, 2015 to Present