ST. CATHERINE’S ACADEMY OF GATTARAN, INC.

Centro Sur, Gattaran, Cagayan

(Formerly St. Catherine Academy)

HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL

The school is conceived on May 15, 1944 in Nabaccayan, Gattaran, Cagayan by Dr.
Tomas Nolasco Sr. and Mr. Jesus Singson, and were able to secure a permit in the year 1945
from the Department of Education to operate the First Year of course of Secondary Education.
The permit was personally followed up by the president Dr. Tomas Nolasco Sr. from Dr. Manuel
L. Carreon the director of the Bureau of Private Schools. The following year they were again
granted a permission to operate Second Year level and the succeeding year levels up to 1948.
Government recognition for complete Academic Secondary course was granted, after inspection
of the facilities by the personnel of the Department of Education, effective July 1, 1948 signed
by Prudenciano Langcauon, Undersecretary of Education upon the recommendation of Dr. M.
Carreon, the Director of Private Schools.

The first anniversary foundation was celebrated on February 14, 1946 by prominent
Catholics of the town and formed a stock corporation having 20 stockholders with the following
First Board of Trustees:

President - Dr. Tomas L. Nolasco

Vice President - Mr. Gregorio Aceron Sr.
Secretary - Mr. Luis Gorospe
Treasurer - Rev. Fr. Juan Carreon
Auditor - Atty. Candido Verzosa

It was named as Cagayan Valley Institute after its sister school in Aparri and in the year
1947 it was changed to Gattaran Institute. The school site was the old house of Mr. Andres
Guzman at the back of Rosacia’s house. There were four teachers with 36 First Year students
and 6 Second Year students having a total of 42 students. The pioneer instructors were Atty. and
Mrs. Mena Barba, Mr. Luis Gorospe, Dr. Tomas Nolasco Sr., Dr. Eustaquio Pulmano, Judge
Candido Versoza, Atty. Alberto C. Antonio and Mr. Benjamin Gonzalo.

On March 7, 1947 stockholders made another election of Board of Trustees with other
new members. New building was constructed where TLE and canteen is now located. It was
composed of four classrooms and a small room for the 6 faculty members. In 1948, the total
enrolment was 246 and has its first Commencement Exercises with six (6) graduates; among
them was late Atty. Leonardo Tobias. For School Year 1948-1949 there were forty-two (42)
graduates having the same number of teachers.

In 1950, the president planned to transfer the school to the Diocese of Tuguegarao
because they could not practice their professions. After several conferences with the Bishop, the
school was finally turned over to the Diocese on March 7, 1951. The Director then was Rev. Fr.
Alfonso Abaya and succeeded by Rev. Fr. Salvador Lazo.The name of the school was changed to
Gattaran Catholic Institute, later on to St. Catherine’s Academy.

The Dominican Sisters came in 1955, with main purpose of administering the school.
Mother Stella Salao, O.P. was the first Director/Principal and Superior, With her were Sister
Carmelita Ignacio, O.P, Sister Angela Marina Rojas, O.P. and Sister Cleofe Armengol, O.P.
 The following Sisters came in succession to administer the school after Mother Stella
Salao, O.P.
* Sr. Carmelita Ignacio, O.P.
* Sister Tomasina Dizon, O.P.
* Sister Anunciata Natuel, O.P.
* Sister Angela Marine Rojas, O.P
* Sister Patricia Aguilar, O.P.
* Sister Feliciana Gacusana, O.P.
* Sister Angelita Codilla, O.P.
* Sister Anunciata Natuel, O.P.
* Sister Angelita Codilla, O.P.
* Sister Trinidad Garcia, O.P.
* Sister Concesa Pedrosa, O.P.
* Sister Chariz Gavan, O.P.
* Sister Nonela Fajardo, O.P.
* Sister Felicidad Lipio, O.P.
* Sister Anastacia Pagulayan, O.P.
* Sister Loreta Oranza, O.P.
* Sister Teresita Bagacay, O.P.
* Sister Melpomene A. Titong, O.P. (Present)

On January 23, 2007, the school filed a petition for renewal of the Government
Recognition to continue its operation and was granted recognition on March 10, 2008, which
was signed by Dr. Jesus Lazo Tabardo, the Regional Director of the Department of Education,
Cagayan. At present, it is registered as St. Catherine;s Academy of Gattaran, Inc.

Through the years and under the leadership of the Dominican Sister of St. Catherine of
Siena, major improvements and expansion in the school’s facilities were initiated, planned,
and implemented. The construction of a two-storey building was a break-through to
accommodate the classrooms, administrative offices, library laboratories (Computer, Science),
guidance center, AVR, faculty room, clinic, SSDC/campus ministry centers, renovation of the
TLE and canteen and beautification of the school campus, with the concerted efforts and
active participation of numerous and generous people of Gattaran, alumni, parents, students,
personnel, administration, the CORDO and several schools of the Congregation of the
Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena, through gifts, donations, solicitations and fund
raising activitie,s to respond to the demands of quality education. An open gymnasium was
added in 2012-2013 to make the activities more enjoyable and fun-filled.A separate building
is being used by the Senior High School. Lately, the classrooms were provided with air
condition units and television sets

One of the major highlights in the quest of the school for quality education and
development of SCAGI was the adoption of the Congregation’s CSSD Program. It opened
more room for improvement of facility, instruction, administration and the school and
community with the assistance of the CSSD Consultant and the Council on Education.

The school takes pride in of its continuing quest for Christian education and quality
academic excellence through varied religious/liturgical celebrations, academic/sports
activities/cultural competitions: in-school, inter-school and local government activities.

As part of the Mother Francisca Extension Service, Catechism classes are taught to the
grade school pupils in the nearby public elementary schools as preparation for First
Communion by the Grade 10 students. They also help in the preparation of high school
students for Confirmation
 Scholarship Program is made available to deserving students through the SCAGI
Alumni Association and the St. Martin’s Foundation. The ESC grant of the government is a
tremendous help for good enrolment. Other financial help is coursed through the Congregation’s
Council on Education.

The school is continuously monitored by the Board of Trustees and the DepEd-FAPE
Re-certification Visit for quality assurance.

The school implemented the K-12 Curriculum in 2016-2017 to the first batch of Grade
11 offering the General Academic Strand (GAS). In April 6, 2018, the school held the
Graduation Ceremonies for the first batch of Grade 12 graduates.

With God’s grace and blessings, St. Catherine’s Academy of Gattaran, Inc. Continually
provides the youth of Gattaran and other neighboring communities with Christian education,
SCAGI vows to continue its service, to aspire and excel and to form Christ-like individuals
through its commitment and dedication to its Vision-Mission and dedicated administration,
faculty and staff.