Philippine Science High School Southern Mindanao Campus


Philippine Science High School Southern Mindanao Campus is the first regional campus of the Philippine Science High School System, a specialized public high school in the Philippines. It caters to scientifically and mathematically gifted high school students from all over the country especially those in Mindanao. It is located in Barangay Sto. Niño, Tugbok District, Mintal, Davao City.

History

PSHS-SMC, formerly called PSHS Mindanao Campus prior to the creation of PSHS Central Mindanao Campus in Lanao del Norte, started at the Philippine Coconut Authority grounds in Bago Oshiro, Mintal, Davao City. It started with a limited number of classrooms and a handful of scholars who sat on the floor for a few months. Despite the scarcity of resources, the school was officially founded on July 8, 1988.
However, due to the increasing number of students, the school administration decided to construct a larger school area in Sto. Niño, Tugbok District, Davao City. The new building's infrastructure was completed in 1990.
By 1995, the school grounds' muddy and asphalt lanes were cemented, the gardens were replanted and redesigned, and cleanliness was maintained. The school surroundings gradually evolved into a park. Years after, a spacious gymnasium was put up at the back of the boys' dormitory. A small footbridge has to be crossed in order to reach the gym.
In 2008, renovation of the gym resumed. With the new stage completed, it was temporarily opened in March that year for the recognition and graduation rites, the last of which that former director Dr. Rosita V. Fundador would be attending.
The school administration decided to add another building, the Science and Technology, for the laboratories as well as the mini-auditorium, which seats 90 people. The building's infrastructure was completed in 2011 and was launched in the same year.
Construction for an oval track behind the outdoor courts, which in turn are located behind the gym, has been ongoing since mid-2012.
Currently, the campus is composed of the following: the Administration Building, the Academic Building, the Boys' and Girls' Residence Halls, the Gym, the Canteen, and the Science and Technology Building. new buildings add more info plox
For 19 years since its conception, the PSHS-SMC had been under the care of Dr. Fundador before her mandatory retirement. She was then succeeded by Mrs. Delia C. Legaspino as the campus' second director.

Admission

Admission to the PSHS-SMC is possible only for the first year and, in uncommon cases, lateral entry in the second and third years. Applicants from grade six must take and perform well in the National Competitive Examination, the admission test of the Philippine Science High School System, also indicating their interest in the Southern Mindanao Campus.

Tests

The PSHS-SMC follows the same curriculum prescribed by the Philippine Science High School System. However, the electives offered do vary per campus.

Electives

Before the implementation of the K12 curriculum, students were required to take up one elective subject per year equivalent to one unit starting from their second year. However, as a result of the new curriculum starting S.Y. 2012-2013, the batch of 2018, will have their electives starting from their fourth year.

Fourth Year

In the summer before their fifth year, each student is required to render 80 hours in an approved workplace for exposure in work related to science and technology to comply with their Summer Science Internship Program requirement. Students can become interns in various agencies, whether international, national, or local. Some interns fulfill their working hours in government agencies, educational institutions or even private corporations.
Despite having no impact in the scholars' grades, it is a mandatory requirement for graduation. A student that fails to fulfill the minimum number of hours in their chosen agency will be due for rejection for graduation.
After the fulfillment of the 80 working hours in their selected institution, they are required to pass a portfolio that showcases their work in their agency.
Privileged students who attend the Ateneo Junior Summer Seminar of the Ateneo de Manila University are no longer required to render service as their participation in the AJSS is considered for their SSIP.

Academic Grading System

Grades are reported in terms of the stanine. 1.00 is the highest grade while 5.00 is a failing mark. 2.50 is the passing grade and any grade lower than this is termed substandard. The student's current standing for a subject is calculated by adding 1/3 of the previous quarter's grade and 2/3 of the tentative grade of the quarter. The GWA of the student should be 2.25 or better to be in good standing.

Director's List

Every quarter, students who garner a general weighted average of 1.50 or better are included in an honor roll known as the Director's List.

Graduation

During their commencement exercises, students who have had outstanding performance in the past four years are given additional recognition.

Honors

The following awards are given to individual students who have performed excellently in various fields as deemed by the management and the faculty:
Based on particular criteria, the following special awards are also given:
Each student is required to have membership in one of the following clubs:
Each club elects their next set of officers before the end of year. SG and MSC elections however are participated in by the entire student body. School year 2010-2011 however did not have any club elections postponing them to the start of SY 2011-2012 to include the votes of the new freshmen.