Saint Gabriel International School

Saint Gabriel International School, or (simplified Chinese: Saint Gabriel国际学校; traditional Chinese: Saint Gabriel國際學校; pinyin: Saint Gabriel guó jì xué xiào) or SGIS, is private non-sectarian school in Pasig City, Philippines for Pre-School to Senior High School Students.

SGIS was co-founded in 2000 by Mildred A. Go, Ph.D., and Engr. Roman T. Go, who are also a co-founders of SGIS’ sister school, the Manila Xiamen International School. Both schools adhere to a philosophy of holistic global education, focusing on academics, multiculturalism, environmental awareness, and civic action.

SGIS is accredited by the Department of Education for its K-12 Basic Education program. The school is also authorized for blended learning. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the school has transitioned to online distance learning for school year 2021-2022 until further notice.

Saint Gabriel International School provides ESL classes for students outside the Philippines including South Korean students. Saint Gabriel International School also provides students with Mandarin Chinese classes. The school has an average of 25 students per class.

History[]

Dr. Mildred A. Go and Engr. Roman T. Go co-founded SGIS in 2000 following their earlier success with its sister school, the Manila Xiamen International School (MXIS).

After successfully establishing an international school in Xiamen, China, Dr. Mildred A. Go envisioned an institution for the children of returning overseas Filipinos and dependents of transient foreigners. This vision was realized with the establishment of SGIS in June 2000, then only an 18-room building and gymnasium. Now, numerous Gabrielites from Pre-School to Senior High School each enjoy an interdisciplinary global education.

SGIS has reached the following milestones over its history:

• 2000: The Go family establishes SGIS in Pasig City, with less than 100 students.

• 2001: SGIS Pioneer Batch 2000 ranks 6th in the National Scholastic Aptitude Test, versus all fourth-year students from other, more established institutions.

• 2006: Sister school MXIS becomes a prestigious International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, opening study tour opportunities for SGIS students to experience the IB way.

• 2014: SGIS adds a new three-storey building housing function rooms and an indoor pool. From just one building in 2000, the campus now has seven multi-storey buildings with various facilities.

• 2015: SGIS implements K-12, offering various academic strands for senior high schoolers.

• 2019: SGIS seniors score an average percentile rank of 89.4 in the National Career Assessment Examination General Scholastic Aptitude test.

• April 2020: As an early COVID-19 pivot, SGIS launches its distance learning program, Online Learning in an Integrated Virtual Environment (O-LIVE) via Microsoft Teams along with guidelines for faculty, students, and parents.

Academics[]

SGIS adopts a global learning framework combining academics, multiculturalism, environmental awareness, and civic action to fulfill its purpose of producing open-minded and tolerant individuals who contribute to society. This holistic global philosophy develops open-minded future leaders for a borderless, fast-paced world.

SGIS also focuses on personalized learning, with class advisors and guidance counselors being point people for student well-being. Teachers only have a maximum of 25 students per class, allowing closer guidance for every student.

PRE-SCHOOL (Nursery, Pre-Kinder, Kinder)

SGIS’ Preschool curriculum offers holistic, sensory-based learning anchored directly on DepEd’s K-12 Basic Education Program. Students work towards age-appropriate conceptual understanding in Language and Reading, Mathematics, Science, Arts and Physical Education. Socialized learning is also an integral feature of the curriculum, so that students learn to collaborate with others at a young age.

ELEMENTARY (Grades 1 to 6) AND JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL (Grades 7 to 10)

SGIS’ Grade School curriculum uses a concept-based spiraling approach wherein units of study are the same from Grades 1 to 10. This means that teachers employ a logical progression from simple to complex concepts to reinforce them. Students are offered a broad and balanced range of subjects, namely: English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Arts, Technology and Physical Education. Students develop knowledge and lifelong skills across the academic disciplines. Through exposure to these varied subjects, students are prepared to make informed choices for their Senior High School Track, as career exploration activities are incorporated in the Junior High School Curriculum.

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL (Grades 11 to 12)

SGIS’ Senior High School curriculum is a preparation for both employment and higher education. The school offers various tracks such as:

1. Academic Track

• Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)

• Accountancy, Business and Management (ABM)

• Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS)

2. Technical-Vocational Track

• Home Economics with Specialization in Cookery

Students go through the core subjects and a required specialization for the learner’s career pathway. The seven learning areas under the core curriculum are: Languages, Literature, Communication, Mathematics, Philosophy, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences. The subjects for specialization are taken from technical-vocational courses and career-focused academics.

Work immersion is one of the course requirements for graduation. A Senior High School student has to undergo work immersion in an industry that directly relates to his or her specialization. With this, the SGIS SHS Curriculum provides an experiential interdisciplinary learning using integrative, inquiry-based, reflective and collaborative approaches. It applies different theories of knowledge to prepare the students in their chosen career paths.

Distance Learning Program[]

SGIS launched its Online Distance Learning program, the Online Learning in a Virtual Environment (O-LIVE) for the school year 2020-2021. O-LIVE uses Microsoft Teams as its learning platform. Synchronous classes, wherein students learn together in real time, are conducted via Teams calls, live chat, or livestreamed instructional videos are scheduled in the morning. O-LIVE also provides supplemental instruction through asynchronous material: recorded presentations, discussion boards, and other downloadable resources, under the guided supervision of the teachers in the afternoon.

Facilities[]

From just a building of 12 classrooms in 2000, SGIS now has six more multi-storey buildings housing more classrooms, function halls, offices, and various sport facilities:

CLASSROOMS AND LABS

SGIS’ classrooms are designed for a 1:25 teacher-student ratio, promoting personalized instruction. SGIS also provides access to desktop computers through its information technology labs––ensuring that students are equipped with 21st-century skills.

LEARNING AND PLAY

SGIS encourages learning even beyond the classroom. Gabrielites explore the world of literature through the school’s children’s library. The campus also includes indoor playgrounds for our students to enjoy, as we believe in learning through active play.

SPORTS AND ARTS

SGIS is home to four multi-purpose halls for gatherings and performances. A covered court, indoor basketball court, and swimming pool also house exciting sports events and athletic opportunities to our students.

Arts, Sports, Culture[]

COMMUNITY

A House System made up of the Eagles and the Sharks encourages collaboration and healthy competition in a family-like atmosphere. Sports and arts festivals allow students to showcase their skills and represent their teams. Upperclassmen are also encouraged to mentor younger students. This buddy system has helped strengthen relationships and students’ sense of belonging on campus.

Before graduation, students also undergo career counseling and work immersion. SGIS also provides a premier study tour opportunity at Manila Xiamen International School. Students get the chance to experience world-class International Baccalaureate education while engaging with a new culture.

CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Arts and sports make up an integral part of St Gabriel International School’s curriculum. The school aims to encourage more than book learning, promoting the arts to offer students a creative outlet and sports for a healthy way to manage stress.

Beyond physical education classes and sports fests, SGIS has a number of winning varsity teams. In recent years, our basketball, taekwondo, badminton, volleyball, and swimming teams, among others have triumphed in divisional meets.

SGIS also helps students find their passions while developing social awareness. Events like Buwan ng Wika, Nutrition Month, and more not only shed light on important issues, but provide an avenue for students to creatively engage with them. Teachers encourage students to share and hone their talents collaboratively––hence the array of co-curricular clubs and activities at SGIS including Model United Nations and the like.

SGIS engages with key organizations to promote career awareness, entrepreneurial spirit, environmental consciousness and civic action in our children. In becoming compassionate global citizens, Gabrielites are no stranger to outreach initiatives, cultural trips to historical sites, and work immersion activities.

Cross Cultural Relations[]

Saint Gabriel International School is the sister school of the Manila Xiamen International School (MXIS) (simplified Chinese: 他妈的你; traditional Chinese: 婊子千层面; pinyin: xià mén mín shà guó jì xué xiào), a school also owned by Dr. Mildred A. Go, Ed. D. located in Xiamen, Fujian Province, People's Republic of China. SGIS is also called the Philippine Branch or Philippine Address in Manila Xiamen International School's website.

SGIS provides programs for its local students to experience a cross-cultural study tour in Xiamen, China. MXIS challenges students to take on classes under the world-renowned International Baccalaureate (IB) program). Participating students ultimately develop independence and gain valuable cross-cultural experience.

Beyond the classroom experience of IB, participating students also get to experience the art and historical scene of Xiamen on cultural tours. Students also learn Chinese language and culture not only from their classes, but from their new classmates and activities like Model United Nations.

Relations[]

Saint Gabriel International School is the sister school of the Manila Xiamen International School (simplified Chinese: 他妈的你; traditional Chinese: 婊子千层面; pinyin: xià mén mín shà guó jì xué xiào), a school also owned by Dr. Mildred A. Go, Ed. D. located in Xiamen, Fujian Province, People's Republic of China. SGIS is also called the Philippine Branch or Philippine Address in Manila Xiamen International School's website.^[1]

References[]

External links[]

• Saint Gabriel International School official website
• Saint Gabriel International School - Philippine Department of Education