History

Infant Jesus Academy which was founded by the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (ICM) was formerly located in Tondo, Manila and was incorporated on February 5, 1913 as Tondo Convent School.  The institution was also known then as the Tondo Orphanage of the Infant Jesus where the main tasks consisted of lace making, high school education, and catechism of the public schools.  On June 6, 1938, the Articles of Incorporation which were filed with the Division of Archives of the Executive Bureau of the Government of the Philippines no. 557, were amended and the name of the institution was changed to Infant Jesus Academy.  Infant Jesus Academy and its works for the poor and the orphans thrived until the Second World War broke out in 1939.

The World War II razed the orphanage to the ground and this necessitated a transfer.  It was then that the timely invitation of Fr. Michael Donoher, a Columban parish priest of Silang, Cavite, came.  Five sisters, along with more than a hundred orphans lived in a dilapidated, old Spanish convent in Silang which is forty-four kilometres away from Manila.  On June 4, 1945, Infant Jesus Academy was formally opened.  This date is also considered the foundation date of the institution.  The records have been reconstituted on March 9, 1948 and were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Manila.

The doors of the convent were opened to the town folks.  Classes for the first and second year boys and girls were conducted.  In 1956, a four-room wooden building with collapsible partition was constructed.  This was followed by a second, third and fourth construction.

Since the school is administered by the ICM, the missionary spirit of its foundress, Mother Marie Louise De Meester, in terms of instruction prevailed.  This spirit is characterized by a sincere love of God, loyalty to the Church, a great respect for the dignity of a person, and a personal love and concern for all, especially the poor, the deprived and the oppressed.  It also called for a genuine commitment towards the building of a better world.

In 1968-1969, the ICM sisters convened at the General Chapter of the Congragation in Heverlee, Belgium, to evaluate their missionary presence in various countries of the world and to study the relevance of their missionary commitments in the light of the Gospel message, the spirit of the foundress, and the signs of the changing times.  This eventually reoriented them to the new perspective and directions.  With this, an evaluation of the social orientation Infant Jesus Academy was made on March 1984 by an Ad Hoc Committee on Education of the ICM Philippine District.

On March 3, 2005, another amendment was filed changing the name of the school from Infant Jesus Academy to Infant Jesus Academy of Silang, Inc.  This move was in preparation for IJA’s turnover by the ICM sisters to the Diocese of Imus who supervises the institution since April 2005.

At present, Infant Jesus Academy of Silang, Inc. continues to make a mark as a Catholic institution of learning dedicated to the education of high school boys and girls.  It offers a program designed to prepare students who seek admission to recognized colleges, universities and other centers of learning.

Currently, IJA is made up of eight buildings:  

1. The Administration Building which houses the Office of the Director, the Office of the Principal, the Curriculum and Instruction Office, the Student Affairs Office, the Office of the Coordinator for Students’ Behavior, the Christian Values Integration Office and the Faculty Room

2. The Marie Charles Building, the oldest known building of IJA, which is made up of eight rooms for Grade 9 and 10 students and a CAdT Office;

3. The Marie Vincent Building that houses the three Guidance Offices, the Student Body Association Office, the Publication Office and four classrooms for Grades 9 and 10;

4. The Marie Lutgarde Building where the Finance Office, the Registrar’s Office, the School Clinic, the Science laboratory and four classrooms for Grade 7 can be found;

5. The Marie Adeltrude Building which has nine classrooms for students of Grade 8, and another nine classrooms for Senior High School.

6. The De Meester Building where the Library, the Computer room, the School Canteen, the Speech laboratory, the Food laboratory and four classrooms for Grade 7 and 8 can be found;

7. The Ugnayan Building which is made up of four classrooms for Grade 8 and a Conference Room;

8. The Marie Ursule Gymnasium

Infant Jesus Academy of Silang, Inc. is recognized by the Department of Education and is a member of the Catholic Education Association of the Philippines (CEAP) and the Cavite Diocese Parochial Schools Association (CADIPSA).