Makati Science High School

Makati Science High School
Name	Makati Science High School
Established	1972
Type	Public science high school
Affiliation	Division of Makati, Department of Education
Grades	7–12
City	Barangay Cembo, Makati
Country	Philippines
Campus	Urban
Colors	Blue and White
Nickname	SciHigh, Makati Sci

Makati Science High School is a public specialized secondary institution in Makati, Philippines, focused on advanced instruction in science and mathematics. Founded in the early 1970s during a period of educational expansion under national and local administrations, the school has ties with municipal authorities, national agencies, research institutes, and interschool networks. It serves as a feeder for Philippine universities and international scholarship programs, maintaining competitive links with examination boards, science competitions, and government scholarship agencies.

History

The school's establishment in 1972 coincided with educational initiatives associated with the administrations of Ferdinand Marcos, Imelda Marcos, and policies from the Department of Education. Early support came from the Makati City Government and collaborations with institutions such as the Philippine Science High School System, University of the Philippines, and the University of Santo Tomas. During the 1980s the school adapted curricula influenced by frameworks from the Commission on Higher Education (Philippines), while participating in national events like the National Science and Technology Week and regional networks including the Metro Manila Science High Schools Association. In the 1990s and 2000s the school expanded facilities with funding from the Makati Development Corporation and engaged with programs from the Department of Trade and Industry (Philippines) and the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development. Partnerships with entities such as the National Research Council of the Philippines and the Asian Development Bank supported projects and exchanges. Recent decades saw alumni associations interact with Makati City Hall initiatives and collaborations with international organizations like the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization on educational projects.

Campus

The urban campus is located in Barangay Cembo, Makati adjacent to landmarks such as Ayala Avenue, Makati Central Business District, and municipal centers including Makati City Hall. Facilities include science laboratories developed with guidance from the Department of Science and Technology (Philippines), computer rooms aligned with standards from the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (Philippines), and a library referencing collections from the National Library of the Philippines. Sporting venues on campus host competitions under the aegis of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (Philippines) feeder events and the Private Schools Athletic Association. The campus has hosted seminars featuring speakers from institutions such as the Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, University of the Philippines Diliman, and research partners like the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

Academics

The curriculum emphasizes advanced modules in subjects linked to external examiners and partner schools such as Philippine Science High School Main Campus, Cavite Science Integrated School, and academic programs at Mindanao State University. Course offerings include enriched sequences drawing on resources from the Department of Education (Philippines), thematic collaborations with the National Academy of Science and Technology (Philippines), and elective programs tied to local universities like University of the Philippines Manila, University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Science, and Ateneo de Manila Senior High School. Students prepare for national assessments such as the Philippine Scholastic Aptitude Test equivalents, regional contests coordinated by the Metrobank Foundation competitions, and international examinations administered by organizations like the Mathematical Association of the Philippines and links to the International Mathematical Olympiad training pipelines. Special programs include research mentorships with the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development and internship arrangements with institutions such as the Philippine General Hospital and industry partners including Globe Telecom and Ayala Corporation.

Admissions and Selection

Admission procedures have historically involved competitive selection tests modeled after examinations used by the Philippine Science High School System and criteria influenced by local ordinances of the Makati City Government. Prospective entrants undergo written assessments and interviews similar to screening processes used by institutions such as Ateneo de Manila University; successful candidates often secure scholarships administered by agencies like the Scholarship Program of the City Government of Makati and national funding from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority for auxiliary training. Outreach and feeder relationships exist with nearby schools including Makati High School (Makati City Science High School feeder systems), Poblacion Elementary School, and private institutions such as PAREF-affiliated schools.

Student Life

Student organizations mirror national student councils and participate in federations like the Federation of Boy Scouts of the Philippines and Girl Scouts of the Philippines, plus academic clubs aligned with national bodies such as the Mathematical Society of the Philippines chapters, Philippine Society of Youth Science Clubs events, and cultural groups collaborating with entities like the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Extracurriculars include debate teams training in formats used by National Debate Championship circuits, robotics teams competing in events affiliated with FIRST Philippines and the Robotics Society of the Philippines, and Model United Nations delegations preparing for conferences such as ManilaMUN and YSEALI exchanges. Student publications have reported on initiatives involving partnerships with Ateneo de Manila University Press workshops and art exhibits coordinated with the BenCab Museum and Ayala Museum.

Achievements and Recognition

Students and teams have earned honors at contests organized by the Department of Education (Philippines), awards from foundations such as the Metrobank Foundation and SM Foundation, and placements in national competitions including the National Science and Mathematics Quiz and the Philippine Mathematical Olympiad. Alumni and faculty have received recognitions from the National Academy of Science and Technology (Philippines) and fellowships linked to the Fulbright Program and the Japan International Cooperation Agency. The school has been cited in local proclamations by the Makati City Government and featured in collaborations with corporate partners like Ayala Land for STEM outreach.

Notable Alumni

Notable graduates have pursued careers at institutions including University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and professional paths in organizations such as Department of Science and Technology (Philippines), World Health Organization, United Nations Development Programme, Google (company), Microsoft, Ayala Corporation, San Miguel Corporation, The Asia Foundation, and Asian Development Bank. Alumni have held positions in elective and appointed offices within Makati City Government and national agencies, served as researchers at the Philippine Genome Center, and contributed to publications in journals linked to the Philippine Journal of Science and international presses.

Category:High schools in Metro Manila