Sta Maria Elementary School
From the age of seven the children begin formal schooling at Sta. Maria Elementary School, a few minutes down the road.
After six years and successfully completing the requirements for graduation, the children transfer to a local high school for a further four years.
Then they are able to continue with higher education at college or university taking degree courses such as nursing, teaching, engineering, computers or hotel and restaurant management. There is also the opportunity to do vocational courses such as woodwork, masonry or car mechanics.
Education in the Philippines
Education in the Philippines was modelled originally on the education system in the United States but over the years it has moved in various directions of its own.
Filipino children may enter public school at about age four, starting from Nursery up to Kindergarten. At about seven years of age, children enter elementary school (6 to 7 years). This may be followed by secondary school (4 years). Students may then sit for College Entrance Examinations (CEE), after which they may enter tertiary institutions (3 to 5 years). Other types of schools do exist, such as Private schools, Preparatory schools, International schools, Laboratory High Schools and Science High Schools. Several ethnic groups, including Chinese, British, Americans, and Japanese operate their own schools.
Elementary schooling is compulsory, but 24% of Filipinos of the relevant age group do not attend, usually due to absence of any school in their area, education being offered in foreign languages only, or financial restrictions. In July 2009 the Department of Education (DepEd) acted to overcome the foreign language problem by ordering all elementary schools to move towards mother-tongue based learning initially and to phase in instruction in English and Filipino gradually. Secondary schooling is compulsory, and is of four years duration only.
The school year in the Philippines starts in June of one year and ends in March of the next, with a two-month summer break for April and May, one week of semestral break (the last week of October), and a week or two of Christmas break.
Levels of education
| Level/Grade | Typical Age | Level/Grade | Typical Age |
| PRESCHOOL | HIGH SCHOOL | ||
| Various optional programmes | Under 6 | 1st Year (Freshman) | 12-13 |
| Nursery | 3-4 | 2nd Year (Sophomore) | 13-14 |
| Kindergarten | 4-5 | 3rd Year (Junior) | 14-15 |
| Preparatory | 5-6 | 4th Year (Senior) | 15-16 |
| ELEMENTARY | POST SECONDARY | ||
| 1st Grade | 6-7 | Tertiary Education – College or University | 16+ Ages vary |
| 2nd Grade | 7-8 | Vocational Education | Ages vary |
| 3rd Grade | 8-9 | Graduate Education | Ages vary |
| 4th Grade | 9-10 | Adult Education | Ages vary |
| 5th Grade | 10-11 | ||
| 6th Grade | 11-12 |
Sta Maria School
The National Achievement Test (NAT) from the (DepEd) is taken in both the public and private elementary schools to measure a school’s competency.
Secondary education in the Philippines is largely based on the American schooling system as it was until the advent of the comprehensive high schools in the US in the middle of last century. The Philippines high school system (Filipino: Mataas na Paaralan) has not moved much from where it was when the Philippines achieved independence from the US in 1946. It still consists of only four levels with each level partially compartmentalized, focusing on a particular theme or content.
DepEd specifies a compulsory curriculum for all high schooling, public and private. The first year of high school has five core subjects, Algebra I, Integrated Science, English I, Filipino I, and Philippine History I. Second year has Algebra II, Biology, English II, Filipino II, and Asian History. Third year has Geometry, Chemistry, Filipino III, and World History and Geography. Fourth year has Calculus, Trigonometry, Physics, Filipino IV, Literature, and Economics. Minor subjects may include Health, Music, Arts, Technology and Home Economics, and Physical Education.
Secondary students used to sit for the National Secondary Achievement Test (NSAT), which was based on the American SAT, and was administered by DepEd. Like its primary school counterpart, NSAT was phased-out after major reorganizations in the education department. Now there is no government-sponsored entrance examination for tertiary education. Higher education institutions, both public and private, administer their own College Entrance Examinations (CEE). Vocational colleges usually do not have entrance examinations.
Tertiary Education – can be completed in either a college or a university. Courses are varied such as Nursing, Teaching, Engineering, Information Technology, Psychology, Social Work, Agriculture, Accountancy and Criminology. Courses vary in length from two to five years. Some subjects offer a two year certificate which can be extended to a four year diploma. Tuition fees also vary immensely according to the course taken and place of study.
Technical and vocational education is offered to enhance students’ practical skills at institutions usually accredited and approved by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). Institutions may be government operated, often by provincial government, or private. The vast majority are privately operated and most call themselves colleges. They may offer programs ranging in duration from a couple of weeks to two year diploma courses. Programs can be technology courses like automotive technology, computer technology, and electronic technology; service courses such as caregiver, nursing aide, hotel and restaurant management; and trades courses such as electrician, plumber, welder, automotive mechanic, diesel mechanic, heavy vehicle operator. Upon graduating from most of these courses, students may take an examination from TESDA to obtain the relevant certificate or diploma.