Dipolog Community School

The Dipolog Community School officially opened in 1939. Then known as the Dipolog Chinese School, it was conceived by a group of enterprising Chinese merchants to provide their children and the future generations a good educational institution which would offer quality English and Chinese instructions. Starting with a enrollment of about 20 or more pupils, it has grown through the years with some caused by the World War II conflagration as well as the fire that hit Dipolog in 1968. However, it quickly recovered after every stumble to resume its assigned task of imparting the right education to the studentry.

The Dipolog Community, a non-sectarian institution, from its conception to this day had been supported and partly-subsidized by the Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (formerly known simply as the Chinese Chamber of Commerce), a businessman organization whose members are mostly Filipinos of Chinese descent. A non-stack, non-profit association, its generosity and foresight has enabled the school to maintain its high standard of learning for the last 69 years. The Chinese Chamber also also doubled as the policymaker of the school, for its officers likewise were the directors of the school board of trustees. But sometime in the Eighties a separate school board was established to concentrate solely on the problems of the institution so that issues can be addressed more effectively.

Located along Rizal Avenue corner Arellano Street since 1939, the Dipolog Community School was initially housed in a small wooden structure. After the second World War, a three-storey wooden edifice was erected. In 1968, after a big fire razed the school to the ground , it temporarily transferred to the Queen Theatre Bldg. In that same year, the present concrete building was constructed. Later, more classrooms were added to accommodate increased enrolment. Primarily offering elementary education in both English and Chinese language, the school subsequently opened the Pre-school Department for nursery and kindergarten classes.

A look at the DCS Alumni Association rosters gives an inkling on how graduates of the school fared in their respective field of endeavors. Many of the successful individuals in our community yesterday and today were products of this institution, be it in the private or public sector. The perseverance and determination of the original founders of this school surely were not in vain. If they are here today, they could see for themselves the fruits of their hard work, sweat, tears, and love of the children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and so on down the line. If they are here today, they could stand tall and be proud knowing that the torch has been passed on to the present generation, and the school is in good hands.