Lourdes School of Mandaluyong


Lourdes School of Mandaluyong is a private, Catholic educational institution founded and operated by the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin. The school was established in 1959 by the Capuchins in the Philippines. The school's name is abbreviated LSM, differentiating it from its brother school, Lourdes School of Quezon City. Like its brother school, the school is named after Our Lady of Lourdes, and is under the patronage of Saint Francis of Assisi.
Students studying at or who studied at LSM are called "Sons of Lourdes ", and "Lourdesians" or "Lourdesiano".
The school's stated philosophy is "Becoming Like Christ", and "Be a brother to all" is its tag line.
The school is PAASCU-accredited.

History

Lourdes School of Mandaluyong was established by the Capuchin Fathers of the Philippines, having arrived in the country in 1886. They first settled in Intramuros, and then in Quezon City. During this time, the Ortigas family was under their spiritual guidance. In grateful appreciation, the Ortigas family offered the Fathers assistance and facilities. With this, the Order entered into a contract with the Ortigas family, and acquired a three-hectare lot along Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong.
In May 1957 Reverend Father Adolfo de Echavarri, the Superior of the Capuchins, laid a cornerstone for the new building - an L-shaped structure, a combined parish and school. On October 4, 1958, the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, the new parish was opened by Rufino J. Cardinal Santos.
In 1959 Lourdes School of Mandaluyong started with a hundred students in Grades One to Four, with Fr. Gregorio Gioccochea, OFM Cap. as the first headmaster.
The 1970s saw the construction of the St. Francis Theatre, the new High School Building, a new canteen, an air-conditioned library, and a 521-seat air-conditioned auditorium. In July 1986 a second floor for the High School Building, and several additional facilities, were built.
The old gymnasium was later moved to the Pax Et Bonum Building, and inaugurated on February 8, 1991. The Pax Et Bonum Building was then clustered with the building houses of Prep and the Grade One classrooms, Technology and Livelihood Education workshops and classes, the Guidance Office, the PTA Office, and the Faculty Room.
In the school year 1996–1997 a deep-water well and air-conditioning of classrooms were implemented.
In 2006, the school was granted a three-year accreditation certificate by PAASCU.
A new High School Building named after St. Lawrence of Brindisi was constructed in 2007.
Lourdes School of Mandaluyong celebrated its 50th Founding Anniversary in the school year 2009–2010. With the desire to improve their educational services, an 80-seat mini-theatre, named after St. Clare of Assisi, and the Audio-Visual Library were built in the place of the old Science Laboratory, all of which houses in the High School Building. The school was also granted a 5-year PAASCU re-accreditation status. In the later years, the school refurbish several facilities, such as the St. Francis Theatre.

Academic program

The school has over 2,100 pupils from nursery to Grade 12. It follows the K-12 basic education program. The school offers financial aid to parents unable to pay the tuition fee. It offers extra-curricular activities, including clubs, Class Room Without Walls Experience Retreat or Immersion.

Student activities program

The Office of the Student Activities for both levels offers several activity programs.

Grade school

The school hymn, which was composed by Francesco "Gil" Raval, is titled Lourdes Forever.