Saint Mary's Academy of Capiz

In 1947, a group of Catholic parents earnestly desiring to give a solid Christian Education to their children decided upon a bold venture of founding a school to be managed by a Religious Congregation in due time. The school took up the name “Immaculate Conception Academy“, pioneered by the late Msgr. Vicente Gonzales, Mrs. Maria Ford, Mrs. Maria Diaz, Mrs. Aurora Salgado, Mrs. Candida Belo, Mrs. Carmen Consing, Mrs. Ramona Frial, former Capiz Governor Lodovico Hidrosillo, and Atty. Santiago Abella Vito. On July of that year, five educators, four of whom were models and long experienced teachers in Roxas City public schools, began the pioneering work of educating the city's young citizens. A nipa building in Rizal St. was erected and rented by parents to accommodate 280 Grades 1-4 pupils. The Patricio residence in Legaspi St. was later used. The public cooperated splendidly by giving material aid to the newly founded school. Mrs. Ford and Mrs. Diaz helped by giving financial assistance to the teachers.

School year 1948=1949 saw the opening of classes for Grades 5-6. 1950 saw the graduation of the first batch of 24 Grade 6 pupils. The increase in enrollment prompted and compelled some parents to seek financial assistance from Jaro Archbishop Jose Ma. Cuenco ‘’(as Capiz was still under the Archdiocese of Jaro at that time)’’. A year later, Bishop Cuenco invited the Congregation of the Religious of the Virgin Mary to manage the school. RVM Superior General Rev. Mo. Maria Montejo RVM, made an ocular visit with native Capicena Sr. Ma. Felisa Quintia, R.V.M., and Sr. Ma. Getrudes Lim R.V.M. By 1952, Sr. Ma, Isabel Purificacion, RVM, was appointed as school administrator. These three RVM nuns became the first batch of RVM sisters in Capiz.

On its 40th Year, in 1989-1990, the SMAC population reached to more than a thousand. The school year’s Directress/Principal Sr. Ma. Juanita J. Coruna RVM, requested help from the family council to construct a covered walkway from the gates to the elementary building. An exit road for vehicles during rainy seasons and a shed for parents and guardians waiting for their children during dismissal were likewise constructed through the generosity of the parents. The canteen was renovated and remodeled, complete with the installation of a drinking fountain.

In connection for the institution’s thrust for the poor, Sitio Kalubihan was adopted in 1991 as its venue for the implementation of the Mother Ignacia Extension Program named “Sitio Kalubihan Socio-Economic and Evangelization Program”, with a hired full-time social worker. The Capricho Elementary School, a public elementary school near SMAC became the recipient of the social concern program for Grade School pupils.

The SMAC Annex High School Building

March 1990 saw the construction of the annex building for high school, which was blessed on December 5 of that year. This building housed three classrooms, the High School Library, a science laboratory, a computer laboratory, and the guidance office. SY 1991-1992 saw the appointment of Sr. Ma. Judith Padilla RVM as kindergarten coordinator. April 1992 saw the construction of a pre-school building at the west part of the campus. The said building, which housed six classrooms, a playroom, a learning center, and the preschool coordinator's office, was blessed on November 30, 1992.

The needed improvement for sports facilities saw the construction of a basketball court and volleyball court in April 1991 and 1993, respectively. A shed constructed respectively for the players was eventually improved to accommodate the Mother Ignacia Skills Training Center, the computer room, the PEHM, and CAT offices.

Simultaneous was the improvement of the physical plant and its facilities was a self survey of the areas of operation for the High School Department using the Philippine Accreditiong Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities (PAASCU) guidelines. A team of PAASCU creditors visited SMAC on February 15–16, 1993 and issued a stamp of approval through a certificate dated August 30, 1993. One year preparation was given before the formal visit in October 10–11, 1994, for which the department was granted initial accreditation for 3 years.

A separate principal for the elementary department was necessitated due to the increase of the school's population in all levels between 1992 and 1993. Sr. Ma. Zenaida Sasil RVM became the first elementary principal for SY 1993-1994 and Sr. Ma. Bernadette Suico RVM succeeded her in 1994. The physical setup for the elementary department had many changes too, giving it separate facilities from high school like the library, faculty room and computer laboratory. Likewise, a separate guidance counselor for the elementary department was hired to support the needs of the elementary students.

Striving towards higher technology education, SMAC offered computer classes in SY 1993-1994 exclusively for fourth grade until fourth year high school. By 1995, the school gave computer classes separately to each department from first grade until fourth year. A speech laboratory was also provided for Grades 4-6 and all high school students.

The RVM believes in empowering their lay collaborators to be part of the education ministry. In October 1995, SMAC's BoT appointed Miguel Mac Aposin as High School principal. Aposin became the first lay principal who served the high school department from 1995-1998. The teachers’ competence was proven when in SY 1996-1997, the HS department topped the Regional Achievement Test given to selected private schools. A swimming pool was added to the facilities in the same year.

1997-1998 saw the SMAC's Golden Jubilee. The high school department underwent PAASCU re-survey visit on February 16–17, after which it was granted a five-year Level II accreditation.

The tasks of the principal for both departments have become extensive due to the rapid increase in the school's population that she needed middle lay administrators to help her out with her functions. In SY 1998-1999, directress/principal Sr. Ma. Rosario Ricafuente RVM appointed Mercedita Abas, PhD as elementary assistant principal.

SY 2000-2001 saw the appointment of Mrs. Nida Abalayan as kindergarten coordinator and 2001-2002 saw the appointment of one of the school's alumnus and veterans as high school assistant principal, Mrs. Hilda Alagbay Cruz.

SMC reassessed its community extension program to offer more services to the people of Capiz. As Sitio Kalubihan was already receiving regular services from the city government, SMAC Admins and SMAC Social Workers scouted for another area in need for its extension services. July 2002 had Calumdum in Barangay Tiza adopted by SMAC as recipient of outreach programs for its HS department and November of that year saw Dayao adopted of outreach programs for the grade school department.

Apart from the two barangays, through the RMV sister and SMAC social workers, the fourth year students gave catechetical services to students of nearby public schools, North Tanque and South Tanque elementary school.

SMAC adopted the new basic education curriculum of DepEd in SY 2003-2004 to keep abreast with new trends and modern developments in the education system. Enrichments to the curriculum were done (e.g. Christian Living, Computer etc.) based on the unified curriculum used by RVM-run schools.

The PAASCU survey team revisited the SMAC High School department on February 26–27, 2004. The department was given a five-year Level II Accreditation.

June 2004 saw the construction of what is now the school's façade as seen from Burgos Ilawod, the administration building. It currently houses the school's theater/auditorium, main offices, chapel, dormitory, and RMV nuns’ convent. This edifice, known as "Assumption Building" was blessed on September 15, 2005.

The school's facade and administration building, which was constructed in 2004, is named as "Assumption Building".

SMAC has also been excelling in cultural and academic competitions. SY 2005-06 saw the elementary and high school departments win in a landslide victory in the Division English Festival. During the first RVM Regional Contest in Cebu, SMAC garnered the most number of awards. It was also in the same school year that SMAC was certified by Funds for Assistance for Private Education.

Quality Catholic Marian education remained as the hallmark of SMAC. In 2006, the elementary department, through the courage and competence of new directress/principal Sr. Ma. Remy Villaraiz RVM, started to evaluate its operations based on the PAASCU standards and work for its preliminary survey visit on August 30–31, 2007. The department received its PAASCU Candidate Status on February 28, 2008. The end of school year 2007-2008 marked the retirement of Mrs. Hilda Alagbay Cruz as high school assistant principal and teacher. She would resume her teaching duties in 2009 at College of St. John-Roxas with a position as college discipline officer.

In 2009, the high school PAASCU Resurvey visit took place on January 26–27 while the elementary PAASCU formal survey visit happened on February 2–3. A five-year Level II Reaccredited status was given to high school while the grade school received Level I Accreditation Certificate.

2009-2010 saw the arrival of the new High School Assistant Principal, Ms. Elnie Templa.

Final years of the 1945-2011 curriculum

The high school quadrangle of SMAC in 2012-2013. The building on the left is the back of the administration building, known today as "Assumption Building" while the building on the left is the 1990s era annex high school building prior to its renovation. The small structure on the far center would be the new performance stage in 2014.

2010-2011 became another year of unending grace for SMAC. The high school was given Level III Reaccredited status. SMAC bagged the awards of Highest Level of Accreditation, Outstanding Private Elementary School, and Outstanding Private Secondary School in the 2010 DepEd Roxas City Division harvest of excellence. Sr. Ma. Remy Villaraiz RVM was awarded “Outstanding Private Elementary School Principal” and “Outstanding Private Secondary School Principal” while Nida Abalayan won “Outstanding Pre-School Teacher”. 2011-2012 saw the HS department extend their outreach programs to a new adopted community, Sitio Mandulalaw in Brgy. Barra. Again, SMAC bagged the awards of Outstanding Private Elementary School, and Outstanding Private Secondary School in the 2011 DepEd Roxas City Division harvest of excellence. Sr. Ma. Remy Villaraiz RVM was again awarded “Outstanding Private Elementary School Principal” and “Outstanding Private Secondary School Principal” while Nida Abalayan won “Outstanding Pre-School Teacher” once more. Mr. Adonis Besa was awarded as “Outstanding Student Government Moderator”.

K-12 years (2012–present)

The school year 2012-2013 became a new start for SMAC with the arrival of new directress/principal, Sr. Ma. Violeta S. Juanico, RVM. The said school year saw the construction of a new high school building and a new canteen with a major renovation at the three-story original HS building. The same year was another unending grace for the school, for it bagged new awards like “Outstanding Private Secondary School” while Nida Abalayan won “Outstanding Pre-School Teacher” for the third time. Mercedita Abas, PhD was awarded the certificate of commendation as Coach for the Regional Spelling Championships in Secondary level. The same school year saw the implementation of Republic Act No. 10533, known as “Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013” or to which is commonly known as the “K-12 Law”. Because of this, the teachers of the school underwent intensive training to cope up with the new system.

The SMAC high school building, known today as "Holy Rosary Building", dating back to 1990 before renovation (top) and after renovation (bottom). The cross in this building (offscreen in the bottom photo) still remains even after renovation

In SY 2013-2014, the whole community welcomed new challenges as the school ventured into a new setup, the Integrated Basic Education Program. It is characterized with the presence of a unified administration with one principal. Along with this, both the grade school and high school levels aligned their programs with the new set up of the basic education program. This school year also was a new mark for SMAC. The high school was awarded a “Hall of Fame” award for Outstanding Private Secondary School by the DepEd Roxas City Division Harvest of Excellence. Nida Abalayon PhD was awarded as the Hall of Fame award for “Outstanding Pre-school Teacher”. Other awardees were Mecedita Abas PhD (Outstanding Coach for National Champion in Spelling elementary level), Aledel Alejandro (Outstanding Private School Secondary teacher and Outstanding Coach for National Champion in Impromptu Speaking secondary level) and Adonis Besa (National Champion in Character Impersonation secondary level held at University of St. La Salle Bacolod).

Preparations for Senior High School started in the same year. The guidance center conducted a survey for possible academic tracks. This survey helped the school in identifying what to offer in 2016-2017.

SMAC elementary building before (top) and after (bottom) renovation.

2014-2015 welcomed new opportunities for growth and development as SMAC underwent into a new PAASCU IBED Visit with Sr. Ma. Corazon Agoncillo RVM as directress/principal. The HS department was granted Level III Reaccredited Status while the Elementary department was granted Level II Re-accredited status valid until 2020. SMAC became the first RVM school in the Visayas to be given the I-BED Accreditation. Along with these opportunities, the school received great blessings as marks of excellence. Aledel Alejandro won Outstanding Private School Secondary Teacher in the DepEd Roxas City Division Harvest of Excellence. The high school department garnered the Overall Championship Awards in the Socio-Cultural Contest and Sports in CAPRISAA MEET 2014. The elementary garnered the 1st runner up in Socio-Cultural Contest and Sports.

Full implementation of K-12

In 2015-2016, the school began offering two tracks of Senior High School; the STEM and the ABM. In 2016-2017, the K-12 program took full effect and records show that STEM has the highest number of enrollees with ABM being the second highest.