# Quezon City Science High School

Quezon City Science High School (also referred as QueSci or Kisay) is the Regional Science High School for the National Capital Region. It is the premier science high school of Quezon City and is regarded as among the prestigious science triumvirate of the Republic of the Philippines, along with the Philippine Science High School and Manila Science High School. It is located at Golden Acres Road, Corner Misamis Street, Bago-Bantay, Quezon City, Philippines. Founded on September 17, 1967, it was appointed as the Regional Science High School for the National Capital Region since 1998.

## History

In 1963, Hermenigilda G. Margate, the then Division Science Supervisor, received authorization from Alfredo J. Andal, City Superintendent of Schools, in 1967 to establish a special first-year class following a Special Science Curriculum at Quirino High School and San Francisco High School. Subsequently, a first-year class was introduced each year in both schools, with students progressing to the next year level until 1967 when they reached their fourth year.
On July 11, 1967, a memorandum was issued to all principals, assistant principals, head teachers, Margate, Mathematics and Science Supervisors, all designated by the City Superintendent, instructing them to organize and oversee the formation of Quezon City Science High School.
Initially, the school shared facilities with Judge Juan Luna High School in San Francisco Del Monte. However, in 1969, the school relocated to the site of the former San Jose Seminary, which the Quezon City General Hospital is currently located.
In 1969, the Quezon City Council, through the leadership of the then Vice Mayor Ismael A. Mathay, Jr, donated the present school site, measuring 2.4 hectares under Quezon City Government with TCT# 265553 in Barangay Sto. Cristo, Bago Bantay, Quezon City in 1969.
In 1976, a two-story semi-concrete six-room building was constructed with the representation of the former Schools Superintendent Commemoracion M. Concepcion to the Quezon City Board.
Another two-story six room concrete science building was finally completed in 1983 through the then City Mayor Adelina S. Rodriguez and the incumbent Division Superintendent, Dr. Edna B. Azurin. Azurin also equipped the school with a speech laboratory and fully air-conditioned computer rooms.
In 1989, the National Secondary Education Curriculum (NSEC), under the Secondary Development Program, implemented the teaching of Science and Technology and Mathematics. QCSHS was chosen as the Regional Leader School in the National Capital Region (NCR).
Following that, additional laboratory rooms for Chemistry, Biology, and Integrated Science were provided through the U.S. Aid Program, along with a new Home Economics building for the Technology and Home Economics (T.H.E.) department.
QCSHS was selected to lead the implementation of a new technology-based curriculum initiated by the government, with two pilot classes formed to test the curriculum's effectiveness. Between 1995 and 1997, more rooms were constructed, including Mathay Hall, Icasiano-Calalay, DOST Chemistry, and Physics laboratory buildings. The school also saw improvements in its Library, Science and Mathematics centers, Conference Hall, Multi-purpose Covered Court, Computer Science Centers, Faculty Room, and CAT headquarters.
In 1999, Mayor Ismael A. Mathay Jr. spearheaded the construction of a four-story sixteen-room concrete building, and Dr. Aquilina S. Rivas, the Schools Division Superintendent, oversaw the renovation of the DOST Laboratory.
In June 1999, Quezon City Science High School was officially declared the Regional Science High School for the National Capital Region, aligning with R.A. 8496 (An Act to Establish the Philippine Science High School System and Providing Funds Therefore). This led to the introduction of a new screening process for incoming freshmen, initiated by the Division of City Schools under Dr. Aquilina S. Rivas' leadership. In March 2001, Dr. Rivas transferred QCSHS to the DepEd NCR. On February 11, 2003, Dr. Corazon Santiago, then Regional Director of DepEd NCR, returned the school to the Division of City School, along with administrative and supervisory functions.

### June 2016 to present

Senior High School Academic Track STEM strand is offered at QCSHS. Under the leadership of Rosavilla T. Dacquel, the then Head Teacher VI of the Science Department, along with the six faculty members who served as pioneer teachers of the 288 senior high school students, the first year of senior high school in QCSHS was implemented. Changes in the curriculum led to improvements in school facilities, including the construction of new buildings, rehabilitation of the football field, and the transformation of the Covered Court into a modern structure housing new laboratories and a gymnasium.

## Admission

In adherence to DepEd Order No. 55, s. 2010, the School Division Office of Quezon City released the Division Memorandum No. 85, s. 2023 explaining the application, screening, and admission process of QCSHS.

### General Criteria for Eligibility

Graduating Grade 6 elementary pupils from public and private schools in the National Capital Region (NCR) who meet the following criteria are eligible to apply for QCSHS Qualifying Examination.
An applicant MUST:
* have quarterly grade of 87% or better in Science, English, and Mathematics and a grade of 85 or better in all other subjects as evidenced in the learner's report card in Grade 5 and Grade 6, 1st quarter
* have a grade of 87% or better in Science, English, and Mathematics and a grade of 85 or better in all other subjects in Grade 6 as final grade requirement prior to enrolment.
* be a Filipino citizen with no pending/approved application as an immigrant to any country.
* possess good moral character.
* be a resident of the National Capital Region (NCR) and currently studying at any elementary schools within NCR.
* be in good health and fit to undergo rigorous academic program as certified by a government physician; and
* have not previously taken/undergone QCSHS Screening, Selection and Admission process
The first screening is the screening of students' credentials. The second screening would be the qualifying examination where the top 300 of the examinees would be selected to proceed to the net screening. The third screening would be the interview of qualifying examination passers.

## Clubs, Electives, and Varsities

Clubs are not required in the school curriculum. However, students may join clubs and organizations at the start of each school year.

### Clubs
#### Academic Sector

* English Club
* Filipino Club
* Mathematics League
* Robotics Club (Nexus)
* Research Club (Quest)
* YES-O Club
* Science Club
* Social Science Club
* Array Club
* Visio Scientia

#### Analysis and Discourse

* Debate Society

#### Media and Publications

* Banyuhay (Filipino)
* The Electron (English)

#### Performing Arts

* Himig Scientia
* Indak Xientia
* Sine Xientia
* Sining Scientia
* Teatro Scientia
* The Eye of Kisay

#### Sports Sector

* Badminton Club
* Basketball Club (QueSci Paladins)
* Chess Club
* E-Sports Club
* Football Club
* Frisbee Club
* Volleyball Club (Kisay Soaring Griffins)

#### Faith and Advocacy

* Boy Scouts of the Philippines - QCSHS Outfit 434
* Campus Integrity Crusaders - Quezon City Science High School Leadership, Integrity, and Social Responsibility (CIC-QCSHS LISR) Pi-oneers
* Elevate
* Christian Brotherhood International (CBI)
* Gender and Development Club
* QCSHS Campus Ministry
* Ta'nan

## Achievements

Quezon City Science High School was named the Regional Science High School for the National Capital Region. Students also reign in different quiz bees on various subjects throughout the country. Placing and reigning over quiz bees abroad also happens a lot during every school year, especially in core science subject areas (Biology, Physics, Chemistry etc.).
Students also succeed in the field of research. They gain awards locally and internationally throughout every year as they make it to competitions like I-SWEEEP, INESPO, INEPO, Intel-ISEF, and many others.
The school papers also marks the school, being the champion of the whole country in the National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) in 2001. Awards are still being secured every year. The Electron (English publication) and Banyuhay (Filipino Publication) held the District Press Conference championship title for the 14th consecutive year in 2009. They are two of the best secondary school papers in the Philippines.
The school publications received awards in the recently concluded National Schools Press Conference 2012 participated in by more than 5,000 schools in the country. Banyuhay (The Filipino newsletter) reaped two first-place, one second-place, and two third-place trophies, making it once again the country's Best Secondary School Publication for the Filipino Category. Meanwhile, The Electron was also adjudged as One of the Ten Best Secondary School Papers in the Philippines for the English Category.
Quezon City Science High holds the 2008 Association of Science Educators of the Philippines (ASEP) National Science Competition Quiz Bee Championships in Physics, won by Ricardo Raphael Julian, Chemistry, won by Nikita P. Bacalzo Jr., and Second Place in Biology, won by Sebastian Maria B. Sagadal, held in Sta. Cruz, Laguna, Southern Tagalog Region. It also takes pride of the 16th International Environmental Project Olympiad (INEPO) Gold Medalists, Avril Bries and Howell Henrian Bayona, for their projects in the Production of Ethanol from Pineapple Peelings and Power from Cow Manure through a Microbial Fuel.

## Facilities

Quezon City Science High School can be found at the back of SM City North EDSA (Behind Interior Zone). QueSci has a parking lot that snakes around the inside of the campus, 2 gates (Scientian/Golden Acres Road & Misamis St.), and 9 buildings.
| Faculty | For Students/Function Rooms | Recreational/Sports/Clubs |
| Principal's Office (A) | Conference Hall | GPTA Building |
| Hostel | Library | Gymnasium |
| Math Center | French and Spanish Room | Soccer Field |
| Math Center | Research Room | Banyuhay Room |
| English Center | Biology Laboratory | Bleachers |
| MAPEH Center | ICT Laboratory for SHS | Gazebos |
| Filipino Center | Coop/Canteen | Island |
| AP Center | Speech Lab | Mini Forest-Park |
| Registrar's Office | Reading Center | Botany Garden |
| Guidance & Counseling Center | Coop Extension | |
| Coop Storage Room | Clinic | |
| Coop Office | SSLG Office | |
| Guard House/Waiting Shed | | |
| ICT Faculty | | |
| Security Office | | |

## Notable Alumni

* Joyce Pring - television personality and host
* Elisse Joson - actress
* Mikaela Fudolig - physicist and former child prodigy
* JC Punongbayan - an economist, educator, and author
* Tonisito Umali - politician, former Deputy Director-General of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)

## Controversy

In 2009, during the sacking of publications supervised by adviser Rex San Diego, several students vented their angst on the Internet against principal Zenaida Sadsad. Several students created blogs targeting the school administration and its anomalous policies. These students criticized the partial policies being implemented in the school as well as the administration's oppression towards dissenting opinions. These blogs earned the students sanctions, which took toll when four students were suspended for more than a week.
In 2013, a complaint affidavit was filed against Dr. Zenaida Sadsad. The affidavit includes the issues of: 1) accepting student applicants who did not actually meet the grade requirement of QCSHS. 2) openly endorsing Brainworks/Brainchamps Tutorial Learning Center to QCSHS student applicants, with the assurance of guaranteed admission slot in the school. The center boasts of 100% passing rate to the said science high school. 3) leaking out periodical test questions to said tutorial center. 4) threatening teachers who are spreading the issue of the test leakage with a libel suit and removal from service. Dr. Sadsad was temporarily moved to another school on the months of January to March 2010. She resumed office on April until her permanent transfer on September 30, 2013.