Vision-Mission and Curriculum

Vision-Mission
Being part of a diocesan consortium (Diocesan Schools of La Union) comprising of 19 schools throughout the diocese, Stella Maris Academy upholds:

Vision:
We envision the Diocesan Schools of La union
as a Center of Excellence for a Holistic Formation
in a Witnessing Christian Community.

Mission:
To provide quality Catholic Education
to all the agents of learning.

The Academy’s specific objectives include:
a) To intensify and further develop basic knowledge, values, attitudes, skills, habits, beliefs and potentials needed to meet the challenge of higher education.
b) To discover and enhance the different aptitudes and interests of students in order to equip him/her for future endeavors.
c) To develop in the students the ability to think critically and analytically and to make decisions for participation within one’s given capacities in concrete action towards social transformation.
d) To encourage active, meaningful and committed participation in community projects and activities and also to be aware and be actively involved in national and global issues.
e) To provide significant experiences in Christian family and offer activities for personality development.
f) To provide proper guidance and counseling towards self-dignity and clarification of motivations for a clear and purpose-driven option in life.

Curriculum
The Academy follows the Revised Basic Education Curriculum (RBEC) of the Department of Education. The following are tables of subjects per year level and their corresponding units. One full hour of formal class per week is equivalent to .3 unit.

First Year
Science - 1.8 units
English - 1.5 units
Math - 1.5 units
Filipino - 1.2 units
Technology and Livelihood Education - 1.2 units
Araling Panlipunan (Social Studies) - 1.2 units
MAPEH (Music, Arts, PE, Health) - 1.2 units
Edukasyong Pagpapahalaga (Values Education) - .6 unit
TOTAL - 10.2 units

Second Year
Science - 1.8 units
English - 1.5 units
Math - 1.5 units
Pilipino - 1.2 units
Technology and Livelihood Education - 1.2 units
Araling Panlipunan (Social Studies) - 1.2 units
MAPEH (Music, Arts, PE, Health) - 1.2 units
Edukasyong Pagpapahalaga (Values Education) - .6 unit
TOTAL - 10.2 units

Third Year
Science - 1.8 units
English - 1.5 units
Math - 1.5 units
Pilipino - 1.2 units
Technology and Livelihood Education - 1.2 units
Araling Panlipunan (Social Studies) - 1.2 units
MAPEH (Music, Arts, PE, Health) - 1.2 units
Edukasyong Pagpapahalaga (Values Education) - .3 unit
TOTAL - 9.9 units

Fourth Year
Science - 1.8 units
English - 1.5 units
Math - 1.5 units
Pilipino - 1.2 units
Technology and Livelihood Education - 1.2 units
Araling Panlipunan (Social Studies) - 1.2 units
MAPEH (Music, Arts, PE, Health) - 1.2 units
Edukasyong Pagpapahalaga (Values Education) - .6 units
TOTAL - 10.2 units

In addition to the above-mentioned required subjects, we have added .9 units (or 3 hours per week) in Religious Values Education for all year levels. All the year levels are likewise required to take .6 units (or 2 hours per week) of Intensive Computer and Internet Education. We also have included the SRA, an intensive speed reading ability program incorporated with the English subject in all year levels.

The tragedy

In the early morning of September 8, 2006, the main school building burned to the ground. All the 5 classrooms, the Science Laboratory including lab paraphernalia, the Technology and Livelihood Room, the Computer Room including 10 computers, an internet system, and the sound system, and the Library were ravaged by the fire. Only the Administrative building was spared. It is a blessing that there were no human casualties.
We believe that the building and facilities may have been destroyed, but the zeal and commitment to the fulfillment of the dreams of our students will forever be alive. We hope to rebuild that dream and we pray that you will share in this our commitment and vocation to provide quality secondary Catholic Education for the youth, the hope of our future. Please help us to make their future and our future a secure and bright one.