SMCQC is one of the oldest institutions in the Philippines, being the first pontifically approved congregation for women in the country, that offers formal education for girls in the Philippines. The congregation, originally known as the Beaterio de la Compania de Jesus, was founded in 1684 by Venerable Mother Ignacia del Espiritu Santo, a Chinese-Filipino mestiza. A history tracing back to 1684, Ignacia del Espiritu Santo and her beatas started educating young Filipinas as part of their mission as a foundational community. In 1725, they opened a boarding school for girls which became known as Beaterio dela Compania de Jesus. This also marked the first step towards formal education for the school. The Beaterio was opened to Yndias and Chinese mestizas, as well as to Spanish girls. In 1901, the Beaterio became a congregation, eleven years after, the school was formally incorporated and the elementary and secondary course was recognized by the government. In 1939, the name Collegio del Beaterio was officially changed to St. Mary's College. The school was PAASCU accredited in 1975 and 1978. The secondary department used to be exclusively for girls until school year 1997-1998, when it started to accept male enrollees. St. Mary's College is the de jure Generalate of all RVM schools in Luzon, and de facto Generalate of all RVM-controlled schools in the Philippines.
Grades 7-10 or Junior High School Accredited by the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities, and certified by TüV Rheinland Philippines, St. Mary's College of Quezon City offers general secondary education geared toward academic preparation for college.
Administered by the Religious of the Virgin Mary or RVM, it is the response to the needs of the national and global community. Granted with PAASCU Level II. The school still offers limited course opportunities. College course offerings since 1950 included BSE, ETC, Secretarial, Associate in Arts, Bachelor of Music, Associate in Music, BSEED and other special courses. In 1976, the changing political, socioeconomic and cultural climate led the administrators to temporarily suspend the college. There was also a felt need to concentrate on basic education. In its desire to upgrade the equality of instruction, St. Mary's College embarked on a self-evaluation project which led to a formal application for accreditation through the Philippine Accrediting Association for Schools, Colleges and Universities. The High School department was accredited in 1975 and the Grade School department in 1978. Subsequently PAASCU visit confirmed the quality education offered by St. Mary's College. In 1997, St. Mary's College heeded the request of parents to admit boys to High School. With the continuing improvement in its instruction and services, The Board of Trustees thought it was time to resume the college. Preparations were done; in 2002, St. Mary's College was given the permit to start offering a Bachelor's Course in Communication Studies. At present, the College Department of St. Mary's College offers the following programs: Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Information Science Bachelor of Science in Office Administration Bachelor of Science in Psychology Bachelor of Science in Social Work Bachelor of Arts in Communication Bachelor of Elementary Education Bachelor of Secondary Education Other programs being offered are Teacher Certificate Program, Language Proficiency course, Health Care Services NC II.
