Loyola College of Culion

In 1936 the Sisters of St. Paul of Charters were running Hijas de Maria Dormitory for female lepers. Mother Superior Donatienne persuaded Jesuit Fr. Hugh J. McNulty to open en elementary school for the girls, originally in portions of their dormitory. The new school was opened in 1936 and named Culion Catholic School. In June 1939 the Philippine government recognized this first private educational institution in Culion, Palawan: Culion Catholic Primary School. With the outbreak of World War II, the school was forced to close in 1938. It reopened in 1948 as a co-educational grade school, called Culion Catholic School, remaining exclusively for those with leprosy. Then in the mid-1950s, with the enactment of the Liberalization Law for Lepers, the doors of the school were opened to all and changed its name to St. Ignatius Academy in 1955 when it merged with St. Ignatius High School (founded 1952). It became St. Ignatius College in 1985 when it began offering the bachelor's degree. In 1988 it received its present name.

In 1952 Fr. Walter Hamilton, S.J., responding to an expressed need for secondary education, opened St. Ignatius High School for graduates of the Culion Catholic School. After 3 years, Jesuit Fr. Pedro Dimaano merged the two schools into St. Ignatius Academy.

The desire of the Jesuits for the educational development and spiritual uplifting of the people in the area around Culion gave rise to the only private college in the area. In 1985, under Director Fr. John Chambers, S.J., the school initiated a Bachelor of Arts in Literature and it became St. Ignatius College. which in 1988 was changed to Loyola College of Culion.

Although leprosy in Culion has been eradicated, the stigma remains. The small municipality is poor and mostly dependent on fishing and farming. Loyola College of Culion continues to help finance education for Culion and its surrounding islands and municipalities. In 2008-2009 the college numbered 554 students (262 in grade school, 218 in high school, and 74 in college). The school's survival depends on subsidies from various agencies, including the Society of Jesus and various agencies offering scholarships. Until May 2009 ANESVAD supplied 60% of the funding but that was discontinued and funds are being sought from other sources. The local government has been developing the area for tourism based on its beaches and diving prospects. It also is interested, through education, in protecting the people from abuse of their dignity, and in preserving their heritage as a people.