San Francisco High School

On June 9, 1954 San Francisco High School was born in the midst of a small but busy community. It was first an annex of the Quezon City High School with 90 first year students and 6 members of the faculty to start with. Classes were housed in the rundown Pizano building along Morato St.

At the start, San Francisco High School's future did not seem bright but inspired by the courage and determination of the administrators and the Parent-Teacher association presidents; they saw the fledging San Francisco High School grow to what it is today.

On Sept. 30, 1958 San Francisco Annex gained its independence from the Quezon City High School. In the same year, the Superintendent of City Schools, Pablo P. Reyes approved its holding of the first graduation rites. To meet the growing population, San Francisco High School opened an Annex at Judge Juan Luna. However, later, that annex of SFHS acquired a 5,245 square meter lot through a Presidential proclamation of the late President Carlos P. Garcia in 1961.

The student populace of San Francisco High School grew, needing a bigger, wider school site and more classrooms. Because of this, the administration looked for a better place and spotted the building vacated by the US Navy Transmitting Corps at the Epifanio delos Santos Avenue. Through the untiring efforts of the principal, teachers and benefactors, they joined hands and made representations with Pres. Diosdado Macapagal to occupy the existing buildings. On Nov. 16, 1963, the school was allowed to use the quonset buildings of the US Navy Transmitter site and with a written authority by President Macapagal, the school moved to this 5-hectare lot. On Oct. 28,1965 by virtue of the Presidential Proclamation Nos. 486 and 156 of Pres. Macapagal, this 5- hectare lot became a permanent site of San Francisco High School.

The enrolment had spiraled from 90 to 5,334 in 1970 and the original three sections of 90 students with 6 teachers were bolstered to 144 sections with 263 teachers in 1971.

In November of the same year, the Q.C. Council approved resolution No. 10590 s 75, changing the name of the school, San Francisco High School to Don Mariano Marcos High School and was confirmed by a Division Memorandum No. 32 dated October 23, 1975. However, the original name of the school was adopted in October 1986 and up to the present it remains to be San Francisco High School.

To cater to the needs of high school students in the depressed areas surrounding the Batasan Complex, the Commonwealth Annex was opened in school year 1986-1987. Later in January 29, 1997 that school was declared an independent school.

Amidst the challenges and with the presence of poor buildings and classrooms, SFHS teachers and students keep on dreaming and hoping.

Challenged by the call of the time to pursue excellence, the student council officers pronounced their Declaration of Commitment on July 18, 2005 to elevate SFHS to that level of excellence. Their Declaration of Commitment for Excellence is read, thus:

COMMITMENT

“A DECLARATION OF COMMITMENT IN REALIZING THE VISION OF SAN FRNCISCO HIGH SCHOOL AS A SHOW WINDOW OF EXCELLENCE”

Today, 18th day of July year 2005, in behalf of SFHS Student Body, we hereby declare the bright vision of our beloved school-- San Francisco High School as a show window of excellence. As we gathered in this significant point of time, let us make a change, a change that will lead us to satisfaction, fulfillment and eventually to success.

In spite of the difficulties that we face today we still have a dream.

It is a dream that is deeply rooted in the hearts of every SFHS student.

We have a dream that one day; San Francisco high School will have its true academic freedom.

We have a dream. We have a dream that one day the San Francisco educators will NOT be tired of developing the minds of their students, but their dedication to their work will not fade amidst the challenges of the time.

We have a dream. We dream that one day, San Francisco High School will be transformed into a paradise-like school that is gambling –free, safe, environment-and child-friendly, where the acquisition of knowledge is conceivable.

This is our hope, our faith and our dream!

With this, we will be able to attain our vision. With this, we will be able to transform and change our school. With this, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle and to stand up together, knowing that all of these would be possible.