History of Negros Oriental High School
Negros Oriental High School, originally known as Provincial School, opened in Dumaguete City on September 1, 1902 with Miss Rebecca E. Berry as the teacher-in-charge. It was located in one whole block where the City Hall, the toArnaiz Lumber Yard, the Fire Departmet, the East City Central School Buildings and Puericulture Center are now found. Due to the increase of enrollment, the school plant has been improved and expanded. It is now situated beside the Provincial Road passing through the Kagawasan Avenue. It is facing the Freedom Park and the Capitol.
NOHS uses the 2002 Basic Education Curriculum which provides the general goal of the basic education: to develop the Filipino learners by providing them basic competencies in reliant, productive, socially aware, patriotic, and responsible citizens.
The Negros Oriental High School, which in the early years was simply referred to as the "Provincial School", opened in Dumaguete on September 1, 1902, with Miss Rebecca E. Berry as teacher-in-charge. It started with an enrollment of 40 pupils mostly from Dumaguete, and the rest from the various towns. The opening of this school became controversial for Mr. George W. Beattie, the provincial supervisor, did not think a secondary school was needed in Negros Oriental.
At that time, the Negros Oriental "Provincial School" was one of the 23 high schools in the country.
The curriculum included English, Reading, Grammar, Composition, Arithmetic, Geography, U.S. History, and Spelling. There was also a well-attended sewing class for girls, taught by Miss Rebecca E. Berry.
As early as 1903, the Provincial school had an enrollment of 101, with students coming from the even the most distant towns. That year, it had its first principal in the person of Mr. Fred J. Bailey, who had previously served as an elementary school teacher in Lazi, Siquijor.
On July 27, 1903, the Provincial Board of Negros Oriental appropriated $65 gold for the support of the Provincial High School, and $450 gold to erect a school building of light materials. In 1904, the municipal government of Dumaguete made available for the site of the Provincial School a track of land with an area of about 5 acres, extending from the town plaza to the sea. At present, this is the large Dumaguete City block which encompasses the City Hall, the City Central School, the Puericulture Center, the Fire Department and the other buildings in that area.
Although the "Provincial School" was ranked secondary level, up to 1942 it was actually still at the elementary level, if compared to education in the United States. In 1910, the highest grade offered was Grade V. Grade VI and Grade VII soon followed in the next two years.
As Siliman Institute did not admit girls until 1942; the Provincial School was the only institution in Negros Oriental where girls could obtain secondary uducation. Thus, its enrollment, presenting both sexes, rose to 150 in 1904, 249 in 1914 and 479 in 1916.
In 1913, the first year class was formed with 20 students. In 1915-1916, through the effort of Mr. B. P. Osbom, the principal, the first Junior class was organized. For the next three succeeding years, no fourth year class could form. Some of the Juniors in the preceeding year went to neighboring school while others went to teach. On June 1919, a Senior class was organized under the efforts of Mr. M. J. C. Early, the American Division Superintendent of the Schools and Mr. Spencer Aldrich, the principal. The faculty members were mostly Americans with few highly competent Filipinos.
On April 25, 1920 the first commencement exercises were held in which 11 students received their diplomas. They were the first graduates of Negros Oriental High School.
Right after the first memorable commencement exercises the laying of the corner stone of the new building at the present site was done. This was on April 21, 1920. This building became ready for use in 1921 complete with 6 classrooms, stage equipment, assembly hall, an office and a storeroom.
All these years the principal appointed where all Americans from Mr. John Scruton in 1915 to Mr. James D. Wright in 1925. But, in the School year 1935-1936, a Filipino named Roman Lorenzo was appointed principal of the high school. Since then, Filipino Principals were appointed to the position.
The present main building continued to be use until the outbreak of World War II in December 1941. Classes were stopped. After liberation in 1945, some rooms of the main building whose floors were removed by the Japanese soldiers were fixed to accommodate old and new students. Thus, classes were resumed on September 24, 1946 with Mr. Venancio Aldecoa, Sr. acting as Principal.
In 1950, the American people rehabilatated the school. A Home Economics Building and Shop were constructed. For many years, the Trade School Academic classes were attracted to Negros Oriental High School but were however separated later as circumstances would no longer allow.
Because of the increasing enrollment, a new six-room building was annexed to the main building by the provincial government which all these years have been religiously supporting the high school. That was in 1964. The next year, a new home economics building was constructed in front of the annex building.
The school has a total area of 25, 000 sq. meters or 2.5 hectares owned by the Provincial Government.
At this point in time there are now 21 buildings with 55 classrooms and with 142 personnel. Its total population for SY 1998-1999 reached to 3, 798 students.
Small at it is, the Negros Oriental High School did not lag in school activities. According to the Monroe Survey, the Negros Oriental High School was one of the three best schools with regards to educational standards. She was always leading in East Visayan Athletic Meets and some of her athletes are world title holders and Olympic players. Among her alumni are a Senator, A Supreme Court Justice, A Bishops and several members of the clergy, a President of a state college, a number of government officials and employees and hundreds of Educators.
NOHS HYM
Faithful and true-hearted
Let us sing for Negros High
We will love her and defend her
While her colors proudly fly
We will fight for her united
On the tracks or on the fields
Our hearts are singing
Our voices ringing
Negros Oriental High will
Never yield
True blue and ever loyal
Let us sing for Negros High
Let every heart sing
Let every voice ring
There's no cause to doubt and sigh
"Tis ever onward our
Course pursuing
Let doubt never our valor rule
And united we will all stand
by our own High School.
NOHS:
VISION
Negros Oriental High School (NOHS) envisions to produce quality graduates imbued with a high degree of responsibility, competence and integrity, equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to become assets to their own families and communities.
MISSION
To seriously implement the BEC curriculum handled by highly trained and knowledgeable teachers; to develop students' competence and aptitude through the use of updated teaching delivery models and modern instructional facilities.
CURRICULUM
NOHS uses the 2002 Basic Education Curriculum which provides the general goal of basic education: to develop the Filipino learners by providing them the basic competencies in literary and numeracy, critical thinking and learning skills, and desirable values to become caring, self-reliant, productive, socially aware, patriotic and responsible citizens.
GOALS
To foster excellence through the integration of current technologies and other tools of instructions.
To create a climate that demonstrates respect for and valuing diversity.
To stimulate teacher-students' interest, confidence and to enrich their experiences both in and outside the classroom.
SOURCE:
Negros Oriental High School Column 2007
Negros Oriental High School Column 2008
