HISTORY OF LAGRO HIGH SCHOOL
Let us reminisce history….
In the early seventies, the growing number of people in the GSIS La Mesa Homeowners Association (GLAMEHA) triggered the need for a high school in Lagro Subdivision. The officers of GLAMEHA requested fervently for an establishment of a high school next to Lagro Elementary School. With the aid of the city government and the education bureau, Novaliches High School with Mr. Florencio Dumlao as principal started accepting students. This high school annex started on June 13, 1974 with 87 students and a facility, which were humbly two housing units in Block 59 and chairs the students provided themselves.
On August 26 of the same year, Lagro Annex was transferred to the Lagro Elementary School compound and occupied the sawali-walled makeshift building. The high school was then headed by Mr. Crispulo A. Pilar with Mr. Narciso M. Caingat, Mrs. Nilfa C. Caingat and Mrs. Greta Manlapig as pioneer teachers.
Two years after, the enrolment rose to 249 from the former 87 with three sections in first year, two in second year, and one in third year. They were all managed to stay in just four classrooms guided by nine teachers.
The first graduation from this high school happened two years after with an increased enrolment of 461 with Mrs. Josefa Q. Maglipon, head of the Home Economics Department in Novaliches High School, who replaced Mr. Pilar(who left for the United States).
The School Year 1977-1978 reached 774 with 15 sections occupying seven classrooms. With this problem on accommodation, Mr. Florencio Dumlao appealed to the national government for a Lagro Annex Building. Through the unrelenting efforts of the department head-in-charge and with the PTA lobbying behind, the 1.3 hectare present school site, and building became a reality.
At the opening of classes on June 11, 1978, 923 students flocked the newly constructed building which was a two-story 18-room structure standing proudly with Mrs. Maglipon as head of the school. She was replaced with Mr. Silverio Reinoso. Mr. Reinoso had to continue with the challenge to manage 19 sections of students with just 32 teachers.
It was the significant day of September 1, 1978 that Lagro High School was inaugurated by Mrs. Commemoracion M. Concepcion, the former schools division superintendent. Thus, it has become its foundation day.
Hand in hand with the influx of residents in Lagro Subdivision is the continuous increase of student population. And to accommodate this increasing population, a six-room building on the southern site of the campus was constructed. The school then also improved with the completion of concrete fences surrounding the campus, construction of the stage and the new steel flagpole, all to house and educate the community.
Mr. Reinoso was replaced by Mrs. Virginia H. Cerrudo on September of 1981.
Mrs. Cerrudo was replaced with Ms. Felicidad C. Gutierrez in 1987 bringing another building funded by the city government. The same year created the Lagro High School-Payatas Annex with 257 students. This annex was assigned to Mrs. Sheridan Evangelista, who was then the Social Studies Department Head of the Main School.
Promoted as Principal IV, Ms. Gutierres was transferred to E. Rodriguez Jr. High School. Mr. William S. Barcena took her place as the principal of Lagro High School on June 1991.
Three years after, Mr. Barcena was replaced by Mrs. Cristina C. Monis, the General Education Supervisor I-English, as Officer-In-Charge on January 8, 1993.
Mr. Gil T. Magbanua replaced Mrs. Monis on June 13, 1993
To accommodate the continuous increasing enrollees, the three-story building funded by the Quezon City Government was constructed. The third Annex in Fairview was finally opened with Mrs. Justina A. Farolan as the Teacher-In-Charge.
Dr. Consolacion C. Montano replaced Dr. Gil Magbanua later on with more improvements.
Mrs. Sheridan Evangelista made her comeback as the principal of Lagro High School in 1998 with improved facilities and technology advancements for the school.
The dawn of more improvements was realized when Dr. Fernando C. Javier became the principal in April 2003. The construction of the new building previously applied by Mrs. Sheridan Evangelista was built and inaugurated by the successor, Dr. Javier. The SB Building and the full renovation of the formerly called Social Hall was transformed into a multi-purpose conference room conveniently equipped with multimedia projectors and modern sound technology now being utilized for events, seminars, workshops by the whole division. The construction of the new gate, renovations of all facilities and the covered court; Lagro High School now boasts of not only its talents but it’s conducive learning ambience sure to provide every learner more motivation to pursue his dreams.
Lagro High School reaped achievements in the district, division, regional and national competition under Dr. Javier. The Bureau of Alternative Learning System was established and soon after the Open High School. The Special Education Program was established accepting deaf and blind students. The Guidance Program was also enhanced and improved with the administration of Dr. Javier. International competitions, speech and debate contests sponsored by the government and private companies, Palarong Pambansa, National Schools Press Conference and the creation of the Special Program in the Arts which annually showcases talents in its culminating activities.
Dr. Javier retired in Lagro High School last March
2012. Dr. Crispin Duka appointed by the Division of City Schools took over
until the Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Corazon C. Rubio assigned the
leader of school principals, Dr. Maria Noemi M.Moncada to step in the picture.
Dr. Moncada started changing the system of enrolment and adopting schemes to
help ensure zero-dropouts to maximize learning. From changing the system of
enrolment involving all parents to participate in the student-learning process
to the process of how each will maximize learning in the classroom, Dr. Moncada
adopted pragmatic styles of school administration personally communicating the
goals to parents of even the SARDOs (Students-At-Risk of Drop-Outs) and
attending to each issue presented during the orientations and quarterly
periodic meetings. From the previous adminstration’s Division Ranking in the
National Achievement Test at 35, Lagro High School rose to rank 5 among all
secondary schools in the Division.
2015 was the year Lagro High School started earning
recognition as an exemplary public secondary school practicing outstanding
School-Based Management. The Schools Division of Quezon City through PRAISE
(DepEd Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence) awarded the
efforts of the organization to enjoin more external stakeholders earning 1st
place in the annual Teachers’ Day celebration in 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2nd place
in 2018.
As the nation was placed in community quarantine and
schools suspended classes in February 2020, records, meetings, trainings were
migrated to virtual format to cope with the submission of required documents to
DepEd. Lagro High School was first to submit Learning Continuity Plan to adapt
to the needs of learners duly recognized by DepEd Philippines modeling the
different learning modalities further implemented and improved by other
regions.
On January 11, 2021, Dr. Diego M. Amid took the
cudgel of helming the glory established by previous administrators when Dr.
Moncada retired. With the challenge to accommodate the needs of the community
including the barangay’s pivotal role in Covid19 local vaccination program, Dr.
Amid exudes a man of valor - headstrong and stern in showing commitment to
providing true quality education and learning amidst the crisis and pandemic
getting the school’s programs like the STE recognized.
In the year 2023, Dr. Agapito T. Lera assumed the role of principal at Lagro High School, following the death of Dr. Diego M. Amid. Dr. Lera brought with him a wealth of experience and a vision for the school's continued growth and excellence.
Under Dr. Lera's leadership, Lagro High School continued its commitment to providing quality education to the community. Recognizing the challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic, he implemented innovative measures to ensure that learning remained accessible and effective for all students. Virtual classrooms, online resources, and digital tools became integral parts of the school's teaching and learning methods.
Dr. Lera also strengthened the school's ties with the local barangay, collaborating on initiatives such as the Covid-19 vaccination program to ensure the safety and well-being of the community. This partnership further solidified the school's role as a pillar of support in Lagro Subdivision.
As the years passed, Lagro High School's reputation as an exemplary public secondary school continued to grow. Dr. Lera's leadership, along with the dedicated efforts of the teaching staff, students, and the support of the community, ensured that the school remained a beacon of education and a source of pride for Lagro Subdivision.
Today, Lagro High School stands as a testament to the power of education, resilience, and community spirit. Dr. Agapito T. Lera's tenure as principal marked another chapter in the school's rich history, one defined by growth, innovation, and unwavering commitment to providing quality education to all.
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