Stonyhurst Southville International School

Stonyhurst Southville International School – Malarayat (SSISM) was established in 2007 due to the strong demand for international education in the city of Lipa; and the increasing number of clients coming from the city and its nearby towns.

Originally situated in a small house with a population of only 44 students, SSISM has grown to more than 500 students and, stands tall with its iconic building facing the grandeur of the Malarayat mountains. SSISM is the only school in the city that is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, USA; and recognized as a School of International Character based on Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9493.

Despite being a relatively young school, SSISM has started to build a reputation of Academic Excellence. It has made a mark in the international arena, winning hundreds of awards and recognitions from International Competitions for the past five years. It has also been consistently recognized by Scholastic Inc. as a Reader’s Cup Awardee, for its remarkable performance in reading. Aside from its core subjects, the school has put a spotlight on Executive Function, Financial Literacy, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Foreign Languages and Research.

With KINGS as its moniker, SSISM pledges to “Always wear its invisible crown” as they live the 5Cs – Competence, Character, Commitment to Achieve, Collaboration and Creativity.

The Early Childhood Education Department (ECED) of SSIS Malarayat serves eager learners from Nursery (2 years old), Pre-Kinder (3 years old), Junior Kinder (4 years old), Senior Kinder (5 years old), Grade 1 (6 years old) and Grade 2 (7 years old).

ECED is a creative ground where pupils discover, play and learn fundamental academic skills, balanced with values development. SSISM believes that character, discipline and social-emotional aspects are important areas to focus on at an early age; therefore, activities are specially designed for children to understand their feelings and interact with their peers.

The curriculum of ECED is focused on the fundamental academic skills in Reading, Math, Science and Social Students. The teacher to student ratio is manageable so that each kid gets proper attention; and at the same time, have the opportunity to mingle with others.

Early Childhood Education Department’s curriculum is patterned after Pennsylvania Standards. Below are the academic programs for the Early Childhood Education Department:

THEMATIC STUDIES. Thematic Studies is a combination of Science and Social Living and Global Education (SLGE). At an early age, the pupils are introduced to the basic concepts of Botany, Zoology and Geography. The program includes purposeful exploration of nature, study of plant and animal life and the relationship of man to his environment.

MATHEMATICS. Introduction to numbers, understanding quantity and symbols, introduction to tens, decimal system and the basic mathematical operations. Through repeated work with various didactic materials, the child is enabled to learn the concrete concepts before grasping the abstract conceptions.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS (ELA). Language is an integral part of the programme through encouragement of self-expression. Programme includes pre-reading exercises such as enhancing attention to and use of words in everyday speaking, to vocabulary building, writing and reading.

Music. Mostly music/rhythm and movement that a typical NKP child enjoys. They are exposed to different sounds (man-made &musical develop their aesthetic sense and have a better appreciation of their culture and of the world’s.

Arts. Aims to surface the artistic skills of each child. Children are exposed to art mediums, and are encouraged to develop their own forms of expression. This is also directed to the development of the fine motor skills and coordination.

Physical Education. Aims to enhance gross motor skills and coordination through structured and unstructured activities. Activities also enhance the values of “team playing” and “group effort”.

The SSIS Grade School (GS) Department consists of students from the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th Grades. This stage aims to equip learners of essential skills, habits, attitude and values that would prepare students in pursuing secondary education. In Grade School, students deepen their understanding of the different academic areas. The development of physical, emotional, social and functional skills are also highlighted in the GS program. Aside from the academic subjects – Math, Science, English, Social Studies, Languages, there are also courses on Arts, Culture and Sports - Physical Education, Values Education, Home Economics, Technology, Robotics, Financial Literacy, Football and Interest Clubs.

SSIS Grade School Department is generally patterned after the Common Core State Standards for English, UK Standards for Mathematics and Science, and NCTM (National Council of Teacher of Math). It applies WASC Focus on Learning called Expected Schoolwide Learning Results (ESLRs). For teaching methodologies, Grade School Department of SSIS uses innovative learning technology and effective approaches in teaching such as Brain-based Learning, Differentiated Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment (D.C.I.A.), Positive Learning Environment through Discipline (P.L.E.D.), and Understanding By Design (U.B.D.).

Below is the list of the academic programs offered in Grade School Department.

MATHEMATICS. The program aims to make the learner understand and master the different mathematical concepts, theories and principles in order to adapt to the fast changing needs and challenges of modern education. They are to acquire competencies and develop the power of quantitative thinking in applying mathematical procedures in daily life. They should also demonstrate skills in computing accurately, estimating, communicating, thinking critically and analytically in solving mathematical problems related to human social life. They should be able to have daily positive attitudes towards Mathematics, thus, developing the value of self – reliance, competitiveness, accuracy, confidence and excellence for the greater glory of God.

ENGLISH (COMMUNICATION ARTS). The program aims for each pupil to learn, understand, appreciate and use the English language in everyday life. Students learn to listen, speak, read, write, and view at different times and in different ways through the creative and informative activities. The learners are provided access to varied information that they must effectively use in spoken and written forms. Learners are expected to communicate fluently and effectively for various purposes and contexts. Furthermore, they are equally molded to be persons imbued with the values integrated in all lessons.

The program also aims to integrate the desired learning competencies for each grade level. The reading skills are thoroughly covered, particularly the areas of comprehension, vocabulary enrichment, literary appreciation and study skills. Diverse and rich oral and written practice activities help students become proficient with the concepts and skills of reading.

SCIENCE. The program aims to make the learners understand, explore, appreciate and apply the science concepts and principles. It aims to provide the learners opportunities to acquire and apply scientific skills, processes, attitudes and values necessary to analyze and solve problems in varied life situations. The learners are also expected to appreciate the importance of living and non-living things by observation, interaction and exploration through experiments and investigations.

SOCIAL LIVING AND GLOBAL EDUCATION. Social Living and Global Education was conceived to develop in students historical and global perspectives, concerns, and standards for their role as citizens of a democratic society in an interdependent world. The global perspective will help them see their linkages to others leading them towards participation, collaboration, and acceptance of diversity. Students are made to realize that a person does not live for himself alone but for his country, his people, and for all the people of the world.

FILIPINO. Ang Filipino ay naglalayong humubog ng iba’t ibang kasanayan at kaalaman sa pakikinig, pagsasalita, pagbabasa, pagsusulat at pag-iisip sa wikang sarili upang malinang ang kakayahan at kasanayan ng mga mag-aaral upang maging tunay na Pilipino sa damdamin, sa isip, sa salita at sa gawa na may takot at pagmamahal sa Diyos.

HOME ECONOMICS AND TECHNOLOGICAL ARTS. The program is gender free to promote equality in performing the different tasks of boys and girls. It also develops in the students love and respect for work and provides them with the basic skills necessary to become productive and responsible members of the family, and the country. It also gives them survival skills. Beyond this, it develops the students’ nurturing skills, sense of responsibility, and independence.

COMPUTER. The program aims to equip the learners with the computer skills and knowledge needed to be competent, productive and creative individual in the information age.

MUSIC. The program aims to help the learner to widen and strengthen his sensitivity to creative and expressive qualities of Music through the perception and understanding of its component elements for the improvement of personal, social, cultural and aesthetic growth.

ARTS. The program aims to provide activities and opportunities for each learner to develop best understanding of fine arts, aesthetic and critical senses and creative expression.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION. The program aims to meet the physical, social, emotional as well as recreational needs of pupils through various enjoyable activities that would help them to think critically, express themselves positively and work with others harmoniously.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE. The program introduces students to different languages and cultures. It also enhances cognitive development, creativity, and divergent thinking. Studies show that learning another language enhances the academic skills of students by increasing their abilities in reading, writing, and mathematics.

The Junior High School (JHS) Department of SSIS serves the HS students from Grades 7-10. In this stage, the demand for academic rigor is great. The Maths and Sciences branch out into different specialization. Business subjects are also introduced and enriched through out the program. Students are more challenged; thus, they delve into critical thinking and complex problem solving.

SSIS High School Department is patterned after the Common Core State Standards for English, UK Standards for Mathematics and Science, and NCTM (National Council of Teacher of Math). It applies WASC Focus on Learning called Expected Schoolwide Learning Results (ESLRs). For teaching methodologies, High School Department of SSIS uses innovative learning technology and effective approaches in teaching such as Brain-based Learning, Differentiated Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment (D.C.I.A.), Positive Learning Environment through Discipline (P.L.E.D.), and Understanding By Design (U.B.D.).

Aside from the courses in Mathematics, English, Science, Social Living and Global Education, Filipino, Home Economics and Technological Arts, Computer/Robotics, Music, Arts, Physical Education and Foreign Language (which are also offered in the Grade School Department), the High School Department also offers courses on Economics, Accounting, Investment Management & Entrepreneurship and Financial Literacy.

Senior High School (SHS) covers the last two years of the K-12 Program in accordance to the Republic Act No. 10533, also known as the Enhanced Basic Education Act. Signed by the former President of the Philippines Benigno Simeon Aquino III, this law visions “to establish a system of education that truly imbues our youth with the skills they need to pursue their dreams.” This enhanced curriculum was created to give students the best possible tools and career choices after High School. SSIS follows the core curriculum and subjects under the track of their choice. SSIS also incorporates the international standards in English, Math, and Science courses.

The Senior High School of SSIS Malarayat offers the STEM and the ABM Strands. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics; while ABM stands for Accountancy, Business and Management. Below is the list of courses offered for each strand.

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS STRAND (S.T.E.M.). This strand focuses on University and College courses such as Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Computer Engineering, Safety Engineering, Civil Engineering, Marine Engineering, Information Technology, Computer Programming, Data Encoding, Data Analyzing,Pre-Medical Courses, Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Dental Medicine, Nursing, Medical Technology, Radiologic Technology, Phlebotomy, Pharmacy, Chemical Science, Biological Science, Physical Science, Organic Chemistry and the like. Specialized Subjects that are included under this strand are Chemistry 1 & 2, Biology 1&2, Practical Research, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, Business Math, Physics 1 & 2.

ACCOUNTANCY, BUSINESS, AND MANAGEMENT STRAND (ABM). This strand focuses on University and College courses such as Accountancy, Entrepreneurship, Business Management, Marketing and the like. Specialized Subjects that are included under this strand are Business Ethics and Social Responsibility, Marketing, Business Organization and Environment, Business Math, Economics, Finance and Accounts, Business Plan, Practical Research.