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Historical Background

The San Juan community’s dream for knowledge and education of their youth has come to its realization in 1970 when then Mayor and now President Joseph Ejercito Estrada approved the Municipal Ordinance No. 87 which appropriated P 100,000.00 for the construction and operation of San Juan Municipal High School. With this appropriation, he has given hope for the parents of San Juan that their children would be provided with relevant education based on love of God, country and mankind. Its curriculum is focused on producing graduates dedicated to the ideals of serving God, country and mankind. It is not without justice therefore if the people of San Juan consider San Juan Municipal High School the greatest legacy of then Mayor Estrada has ever bestowed.

The present 3-storey Main Building stands on a 4,102 sq. m. lot along P. Narciso Street, Brgy. Corazon de Jesus. In 1986, the 2-storey Annex Building was constructed and was operational in 1987. The Annex Building stands on a 4,600 sq. m. lot which is across the Main Building. Thus, this is very beneficial to students and teachers when it comes to proximity. However, even prior to its completion and opening, the 300 students, the first enrollees of the high school, comprising of 6 freshman classes, were temporarily housed and taught at Pinaglabanan Elementary School. Another building was later constructed within the grounds of the Main Building, the Zamora Building which provided 6 additional rooms.

The formal opening and inauguration of the school was in July 10, 1970 with Mrs. Marcelino Perez as officer-in-charge. The 300 students in school year 1970-1971 grew gradually year after year. Thirty years hence, the enrolment has ballooned to more than 3,200 and year after year there is a significant change in the enrolment figures. The faculty members of 10 teachers in 1970 has also increased to 140 teachers this school year. In addition, more office personnel have been employed to cope with the ever-increasing office work. Also, it is worth mentioning the vital role played by the San Juan Municipal Officials and the community in sustaining unselfishly the financial needs of the school and the moral support extended by the community as the school continues to fulfill its educational commitments and goals.

The high school is not without its years of toil, hardships, sacrifice and rough sailing. When it formally opened on July 13, 1970, the 300 students of 6 classes had to be accommodated at the Pinaglabanan Elementary School ground. Fortunately, with the able leadership of Mrs. Marcelina Perez as Officer – in – Charge, said first batch of students were able to graduate. Even the final laying of the cornerstone of the permanent school ground at P. Narciso on July 3, 1971 was met with pessimistic feelings. This was because the construction of what now stands as an imposing edifice had to be on a piece-meal basis, from year to tear, until a three-storey architectural grandeur rose to its final feet.

Another building was also erected through the efforts of then Congressman Ronaldo B. Zamora and our esteemed Mayor Jinggoy E. Estrada through the intercession of Mrs. Aida C. Nocete, District Supervisor, San Juan I and II. This building provided 6 additional rooms. One of which is the Guidance Center, then two rooms dedicated for Science classes and also two rooms dedicated for Home Economics classes.

As it now stands, the these buildings provide 36 academic classrooms, 7 vocational classrooms (5 for Practical Arts Department and 2 for Home Economics Department), a Principal’s Office, 2 Faculty rooms, 1 Conference room, 1 Speech laboratory, 2 Computer rooms, 1 EMIS room, 1 Audio Visual Room, 4 Science Laboratories, 1 Practice House, 2 Storerooms, 1 Journalism room and 1 Commandant room. There is also the Library, 1 Guidance Centers, 1 Health Clinic and 2 Canteens. Also, there are corners for the following departments, Social Studies, Mathematics, Values Education, Home Economics, Filipino, Science and Technology.

Since the School year 1979-80, in an attempt to meet the educational needs of the widest base of San Juan as possible and to democratize education, the school started to operate San Juan Municipal High School annexes in two elementary school grounds: one at Pinaglabanan Elementary School and another as San Juan Central. These annexes offered first and second year curriculum and are handled by both regular teachers of SJMHS – Main and elementary teachers of the two schools.

With all these dreams fulfilled, Mayor Joseph Estrada has always been the forerunner and behind him are the men and women and the institution equally dedicated to the cause of education and with equal fervor, help transform SJMHS’ dream to reality. First is the men and women who composed the Committee on Education of San Juan. They have always come up with useful suggestions and innovations. For instance, with COE’s prodding, the Municipal Council passed an ordinance requiring the administration of an entrance examination to screen entry of students to assure that only the competent and the willing minds enter the portals of the school.

Likewise commendable are the able leadership of several intelligent administrators who graced the school: Mrs. Avelina T. Llagas (1971-1974); Mrs. Sylvia S. Rieza (1974-1976); Mrs. Florencia M. Lopez as Guidance Counselor in-Charge (1976-1977); Mrs. Aquilina S. Rivas (1977-1980); Mrs. Florencia M. Lopez as Assistant Principal (1980-1982); Mr. Alfredo I. Principe (1982-1986); Mrs. Florencia M. Lopez this time as Principal (1986-1993); Mr. Martin A. Mauricio (1993-1997); Mrs. Aida C. Nocete as Officer in Charge (February - July, 1998); and Mrs. Laureana G. Chuapoco (July 98 - Present).

Last but certainly not the least is the numerous contributors to the high school’s various programs: the men, women and institutions who generously shares themselves by sponsoring scholarship grants to poor but deserving students of the high school. They also help by donating books, equipments, educational paraphernalia, computer units and even a computer laboratory. Some would even come in terms of contributions of prizes during scholastic and other competitions and many other selfless acts of endowment and aid to the school.

On September 14, 1981, a fire gutted 2 classrooms, a part of the library and the mimeographing room. This incident again proved that Mayor Estrada’s concern for the education of the youth is paramount. True to this good intention, he has caused the damage to be repaired, the destroyed portion of the building renovated, more department centers constructed, the building itself painted, and thus the edifice was restored to its grandeur.

Today, the San Juan Municipal High School stands as a monument of the people’s dream - a reality of their educational dream for their children. This is of great importance and significance since it has been said for so many times that the key to progress is learning and discipline. The SJMHS is especially challenged since its student body mostly belong to the less fortunate families of San Juan, for which it was purposely built. It stands majestically as the living symbol of San Juan’s common ideal of perfection through academic excellence. It is the culmination of San Juan’s dream and yearning for knowledge, truth and education. It also stands proud of its achievements, contributions and clings high to its hope of building a better tomorrow for the youth of the generation to come, year and after.