University of Santo Tomas Junior High School
The University of Santo Tomas Junior High School (USTJHS), formerly called University of Santo Tomas High School, was established on June 6, 1928, and is one of the junior high school departments of the University of Santo Tomas (UST), located at Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines.
| University of Santo Tomas Junior High School | |
|---|---|
  | |
| Location | |
Benavides Building, UST, Sampaloc, Manila | |
| Information | |
| Motto | Committed to Truth, Enkindled by Charity |
| Patron saint(s) | St. Thomas Aquinas |
| Established | 6 June 1928 |
| Principal | Assoc. Prof. Marishirl P. Tropicales, Ph.D. |
| Regent | Rev. Fr. Orlando Aceron, OP |
| Grades | 7 to 10 |
| Number of students | 1,800 |
| Color(s) | Gold, black, and white |
| Mascot | Tiger Cubs |
| Newspaper | The Aquinian |
| Yearbook | Veritas |
| Website | ustjhs |
USTJHS offers four years of high school, starting from Grade 7 to 10. The remaining two years of high school (Grade 11 and Grade 12) were transferred to the recently established University of Santo Tomas Senior High School.
Academics
AN OVERVIEW
The UST Junior High School offers courses as mandated by the Department of Education on the Basic Education Curriculum. Integration and addition of certain courses are on the testing stage in line with the first ever accreditation attempt of the High School for its 80 years of existence. Currently, the UST Junior High School holds a Level II - Re-Accredited status by the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU).
Below are the different courses taken by each grade level.
COURSES FOR GRADE 7
- G7 English - Philippine Literature
- G7 Mathematics
- G7 Science - General Science and Earth Science
- G7 Araling Panlipunan - Kasaysayan ng Asya
- G7 Christian Living Education
- G7 Filipino - Ibong Adarna
- G7 Music
- G7 Physical Education and Health (PEH)
- G7 Homeroom (HRO)
COURSES FOR GRADE 8
- G8 English - Afro-Asian Literature
- G8 Mathematics
- G8 Science - Life Science (General Biology)
- G8 Araling Panlipunan - Kasaysayan ng Mundo
- G8 Christian Living Education
- G8 Filipino - Florante at Laura
- G8 Music
- G8 Physical Education and Health (PEH)
- G8 Homeroom (HRO)
COURSES FOR GRADE 9
- G9 English - American Literature
- G9 Mathematics
- G9 Science - Physical Science (General Chemistry)
- G9 Araling Panlipunan - Ekonomiks
- G9 Christian Living Education
- G9 Filipino - Noli Me Tangere
- G9 Music
- G9 Physical Education and Health (PEH)
- G9 Homeroom (HRO)
COURSES FOR GRADE 10
- G10 English - World Literature
- G10 Mathematics
- G10 Science - Physical Science (Physics)
- G10 Araling Panlipunan
- G10 Christian Living Education
- G10 Filipino - El Filibusterismo
- G10 Music
- G10 Physical Education and Health (PEH)
- G10 Homeroom (HRO)
- G10 Citizenship Advancement Training (CAdT)
Co-curricular Program
The co-curricular program of the High School covers matters regarding clubs and organizations. All the students are required to join one club of their interest and choice. Students can join two or more clubs but there has always been problems and conflicts about this matter regarding competency to multi-task in the clubs and organizations these students have joined. With the revisions made in the Student Handbook (effective SY2016-2017), the determination of awards and honors is separate for academics and co-curricular & extra-curricular components.
There are 31 recognized clubs and organizations in the Junior High School:
- Student Council
- Speech Club
- Association of Students for Academic Competition
- Mathematics Club
- Natural Science Club
- English Forum
- Samahang Kulturang Filipino
- Social Studies Circle
- Social Media Club
- Young Community Stewards
- Liturgical Ministry
- Dominican Network
- Student Catholic Action
- UST CAT Golden Corps of Cadets
- UST CAT Cadet Officers
- Honorary Corps of Sponsors and Escorts
- Arts and Crafts Club (formerly TASC)
- Culinary Arts Club
- Music Society
- Glee Club
- Music Ensemble
- Golden Scouts
- Cultural Dance Troupe
- Pep Squad
- Athletics Club
- Digital Arts Club
- Information and Communications Technology Club
- Drama Guild
- The Aquinian (Official Student Publication)
- Readers' Club
- Dialektikos (Varsity Debate Team)
- Peer Facilitators Club
- Young Entrepreneurs Club
These clubs and organizations have officers from grades 8-10 appointed before the summer of the incoming school year. Students may join during the Club Exposition. The members of each club shall attend the monthly Club Day of their chosen club.
Parents' Association
The Parents' Association is composed of all the parents of the students of the high school headed by a group of officers and class representatives chosen by fellow parents. The association has been very active in promoting a good teacher-parent relationship through its various activities and contests. Most of which are held during selected Sundays of each quarter. The association's main thrust is for the transparency of the school regarding matters affecting the students.
Alumni Association
The Alumni Association is headed by a set of officers with the main thrust of going over through matters concerning the alumni of the school. The Alumni Association has been a laudable stakeholder of the school for their contributions for the school at present.
Athletics
The UAAP was founded in 1938 by the University of Santo Tomas, University of the Philippines, Far Eastern University and National University (Philippines). Now, the sports organization includes Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, Adamson University, and the University of the East.
UST Host School
The University of Santo Tomas was the Host School for the UAAP Season 70. Fr. Ermito de Sagon, O.P., Director of the UST Institute of Physical Education and Athletics and President of UAAP Season 70 lead the UAAP organizers, members and fans from the eight institution members in the various events which were held in various venues during the season.
General Champion
The UST Juniors Division (USTHS) held the General Championship Title last UAAP Season 74, winning various sports titles in taekwondo, swimming, etc. UST Juniors division holds 14 General Championship trophies all in all since 1986.
Facilities
The facilities of the UST Junior High School include:
- Benavides Auditorium
- (2) audio – visual rooms
- (2) science laboratories
- (3) computer laboratories with internet services
- (1) Robotics room
- (1) drafting room
- (1) library with on-line services with one Audio-Visual Center
- (1) recording room
- (1) canteen
- (1) kitchen
- (1) presentation room
- (1) Simbahayan Community Development room
- (1) Accreditation room
- (1) Multi- purpose room
- (1) Coordinators ‘ Room
- (1) Student Council room
- (1) chapel
- (1) Faculty room
- (1) Administrators Office
- (40) multi- media and air-conditioned classrooms
- (4) Head Teachers’ Offices
- (4) Guidance and Counseling Offices, one for each year level.
Likewise, the school provides the students with guidance and counseling and spiritual consultation. The faculty staff is available for academic consultation to the students and parents at designated dates and hours in the Faculty/Conference Room.
Notable alumni
- Jose Wendell Capili - writer and academic, Professor, Assistant Vice President for Public Affairs and Director of Alumni Relations, University of the Philippines
- Rhea Katrina Dimaculangan - volleyball player
- Kevin Ferrer - basketball player
- J. Neil Garcia - writer and academic, professor and University of the Philippines press director
- Jun Lana - prizewinning playwright, screenwriter, and head writer
- Tetchie Agbayani - actress
- Angel Locsin - actress
- Bino Realuyo - New York-based poet and novelist
- Alfredo E. Pascual - President of the University of the Philippines
- Jamie Rivera - singer
- Aleona Denise Santiago - volleyball player
- Antonio Trillanes - Philippine senator
- Alyssa Valdez - volleyball player
- Eula Valdez - actress
- Bentong - Comedian
