History
It was in 1984 when the students of La Consolacion College, Mendiola, Manila conducted an educational survey in Biñan, Laguna particularly in Barrio Sto. Tomas wherein many housing projects were being established. Based on the results of the survey, the need for a new school was seen. Hence, the Augustinian Sisters of Our Lady of Consolation in their desire to bring Christ’s teachings to the youth in the province, decided to extend their educational efforts through the construction of a school in Biñan in 1984.
La Consolacion College of Biñan, a non-stock, non-profit Catholic educational institution is guided by sound Christian principles in education, the OSA Charism, Vision-Mission and Philosophy of Education it wishes to uphold. It seeks to establish a social environment in Laguna favorable to the growth formation and development processes of the Filipino youth.
The school initially offered Kinder I and II and Grades I to IV when it started operation in June 1985. The Sto. Niño building, now known as St. Monica Building, housed 323 pioneer pupils in its initial operation. Also during this year, the Administrative, Supervisory and Non-Teaching Personnel was composed of the President of La Consolacion College, Manila, the Principal, 3 Teaching Sisters, 3 Lay Teachers, a Sister in-charge of the canteen, a janitor, a night security guard, a clerk and 2 aides.
Due to the increase in population, another edifice was built the following year. It was named Our Lady of Consolation Building which was later changed to St. Augustine Building. Additional courses offered were Grade V to First Year High School.
The school year 1988-1989 facilitated the construction of the Pre-School building and the Sisters’ Cloister as answer to the need of a more growing population which registered 1,067 and 185 enrollees for the Elementary and High School Departments, respectively.
On the occasion of its 5th year Anniversary Celebration, the School proved its calibre and competence with the 100% passing of the pioneer High School graduates in the National College Entrance Examinations (NCEE). The celebration was capped with the DECS’ recognition of a complete Secondary Level offering. Hence, the schoolyear 1989 – 1990 marked the completion of the school offerings namely: Pre-School, Elementary and Secondary Levels.
The Institution’s vision and mission include among others the formation of its personnel, both teaching and non-teaching staff, the continuing assessment of its structures, the promotion of a curriculum that is hinged on the lives of people as they continuously relate to self, society and God.
This initial stability of school operation led to administration’s conscious efforts for the curricular and co/extra-curricular programs to be affected by the school’s thrust of Education for Justice and Social Transformation. Thus, there was strengthening of activities like the Charism Journey and the Mother Rita Barcelo Outreach Program with a context revolving around the concern for the poor, deprived, oppressed and exploited brothers and sisters in depressed areas. The adopted community in Pulo, Dela Paz Biñan, Laguna signified the school’s response to the signs of the times.
LCC-Biñan, in its seventh year of operation, responded to the needs of 2,100 students. Schoolyear 1991-1992 significantly marked LCC-Bñ’s formal stage of preparation for its accreditation by the Congregation’s Evaluation Visit in August 1992. In response to the CEV preparations, the Research and Development Center was created. On August 20 and 21, 1992, twelve evaluators visited the school which resulted to a successful school evaluation made by the congregation. With the success of the CEV, the school pursued its development plans both for personnel and structure. Schoolyear 1993-1994, the College’s 8th year of existence, was highlighted by the blessing of the Administration Building, now known as Our Lady of Consolation Building, which housed the Principal’s Office, Conference Room, Registrar’s Office, Personnel Office, Grade School and High School Libraries and CIMC, Audio-Visual Room, Science and Computer Laboratories. The moving out of some of these offices from the St. Augustine and Mother Rita Buildings provided additional classrooms for the student population that reached 2,353.
The Grade School Department applied for an Accreditation Visit by the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU) in February 1994. Meanwhile, the High School Department had its PAASCU Visit in November 1994. Both departments received favorable results from PAASCU. This very notable event coincided with the school’s celebration of its 10th Jubilee Anniversary.
As it continues to promote Christian Nationalist Education (CNE) in Biñan and in its neighboring towns, La Consolacion College Biñan responsibly commits itself with this cause by expanding its wings and offering tertiary level.
The LCC-Bñ College Department started its operation in School Year 1996-1997 offering the following pilot courses: Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Bachelor of Education major in: Values Education, English, Mathematics, Computer Education, General Science, History, Filipino, Technology and Home Economics; Bachelor of Arts major in: Management, Banking and Finance, Sales and Marketing; Bachelor of Science in Computer Science; Associate in Computer Science; Bachelor of Science in Secretarial Administration, and Two-year Computer Secretarial. That same year, the school had undergone its PAASCU Formal Survey Visit in both Grade School and High School Departments. Not long after the visit in 1997, the school was granted Level II Accredited Status by the Federation of Accrediting Agencies of the Philippines (FAAP) and a Member Status by PAASCU. With these recognitions are the proof that La Consolacion College Biñan truly lives up to its avowed mission. It was during this year when the school Directress, Sr. Ma. Luz Mijares, OSA, became the congregation’s Superior General.
In 1998, the school re-aligned its Vision-Mission with that of the congregation’s as the latter revised its own Vision-Mission. This afforded the school constituents renewed direction that guided the school in the implementation of its programs. In addition, the construction of the Food Court, the school’s eleventh edifice, offered its clientele a more spacious eating area.
As the school marked its 15th year of service to the First District of Laguna and its neighboring towns in 1999, the dawn of the new millennium promised greater heights for the school as it moved towards a more structured and organized school operations. For a new millennium starter, the state-of-the-art Auditorium was constructed and became the venue where the entire community, together with the alumni, parents and friends from neighboring schools celebrated the highlight of La Consolacion College Biñan’s 15th year foundation.
Year 2000 for LCC-Bñ was significantly marked with the Basic Education Department’s passing of its Re-accreditation visit by the PAASCU with a five-year clean slate membership; the construction of a four storey High School building housing the Science Laboratories, Home Economics Room, Guest Rooms and High School Library, Mini Hotel and Restaurant for College and more classrooms for the school populace; and the Twinning Agreement between LCC-Bñ and LCC-Manila.
Furthermore, to cope with new trends in information technology, LCC-Bñ through its College Department, initiated and developed a computerized enrolment system and other computer programs significant to education management. The school also tapped Yapster, Inc. for the College E-Learning Program, and EduQuest Philippines, Inc. for the reading programs in the Basic Education Department.
The college department continued to give its share of offering quality and relevant education with the following courses duly recognized by CHED: Bachelor of Elementary Education,Bachelor of Secondary Education major in: Values Education, English, Mathematics, General Science, Computer Education, History, Filipino, and THE; Bachelor of Arts major in: English and Psychology; Bachelor of Science in Commerce major in: Management, Banking and Finance, Sales and Marketing: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science,Bachelor of Science in Office Administration, and Two-year Computer Secretarial.
Eventually, the college department likewise offered Hospitality Management Course with major in Hotel Restaurant Management, Information Management and Associate in Computer Technology; and Business Administration Courses.
Meanwhile, as a proof of the school’s thrust for lay empowerment it marked the appointment of two lay principals to handle the Basic Education Department.
To further equip with computer knowledge its clientele, the school put up computer corners in the grade school and high school libraries and a computer center for pre-school to accommodate more Edu Quest Programs. The school also made a local staging of the Musical play “Annie” as a kick-off activity for the school’s 20th year of foundation.
On its 21st year, LCC-Bñ concretized its plan of actions with the first year of implementation of its Three-Year Development Program. More improvements on its physical plant were also undertaken such as putting up of a chapel and renovations of major offices: Directress Office, Research and Development Office, Personnel Office, Registrar’s Office and Curriculum Instructional Media Center.
The institution’s strong commitment to and solidarity with the poor led to a more responsive program of activities by the faculty and different clubs/organizations of the school, likewise, through the Mother Rita Barcelo Outreach Center, the school is able to concretize its pro-poor and pro-life advocacy via the exposure programs with theological reflections for the students and personnel, and community organizing effort for the school’s adopted community.
Meanwhile, as a response to the growing demands of its immediate community, the college department started offering Caregiving Course; and through the school’s Center for Career Development, LCC-Bñ extended its horizon by offering technical/competency-based training courses accredited and recognized by Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). These include: Contact Center Competency Course, Barista Training, Cooking, National Compentecy II Course and Messman/Stewarding Officer Course. Also the college department started offering associate degree courses: Associate in Hotel Restaurant Management, Associate in Tourism and Associate in Business Management.
The school’s response to the growing number of high school graduates who cannot afford a college education came in the form of scholarship grants. In addition to the regular scholarship offered by the school such as the entry scholarship for honor students, Mother Rita and Mother Consuelo Barcelo scholarships, and the Congregation’s scholarship, the school entered into an agreement with the Municipality of Biñan through its City Mayor, to offer more scholarships. As such, La Consolacion College Biñan now accepts “Iskolar ng Bayan” (50%) and Mother Rita Barcelo Scholar (50%), making the students enjoy a 100% scholarship for four years. Likewise, the school accepts full scholars endorsed by the Municipality as Iskolar ng Biñan (INB).
La Consolacion College Biñan’s quest for a more relevant quality education continues as it creates its own history through constant improvements and innovations undertaken by the people who helped build and develop the institution.
In fact, the school’s celebration of its 25th year of foundation was notably marked with the construction of the mini-Olympic size Swimming Pool; provisions of Speech Laboratory in High School, Ramp in the Grade School Building, two more Viewing Rooms both in Grade School and High School and installation of Glass Windows and Air Condition Units in all classrooms and offices. Equally significant that same year was the staging of Literary and Musical Play, Beloved LCC: The Silver Anniversary Presentation which was supported and well-participated by students, parents and alumni.
School years 2010-2011; 2011-2012; 2012-2013 brought more significant developments in the school facilities as well as in the Curriculum. The revision of the Student Handbook and the drafting of LCC-Biñan’s new Vision-Mission were undertaken as the institution continuously commits itself to bringing about transformative education for life-long learning.
Today, the college department offers the following courses; Bachelor of Arts in Psychology; Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management; Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management; Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Bachelor of Science in Information Management, Bachelor of Science in Computer Technology; Associate in Tourism; Associate in Computer Technology; and Associate in Business Management.
La Consolacion College of Biñan will forever remain as a co-educational institution that is determined to develop graduates who are Globally Competitive, Rooted in the Best of Filipino Values, Uphold Diversity and Human Dignity and Cognizant of Their Role in Sustainable Development. With them serving as role models in the community where they belong, LCC-Biñan will continuously serve as an agent of change whose constituents are imbued with the ideals of UNITY, CHARITY AND TRUTH.