From 1885 to 1887, Don Francisco Sobrevinas from Majayjay, Laguna was the first qualified teacher sent by the Jesuit. The school was secretarian and ungraded. From 1880 to 1885, the school was under the supervision of Batangas. Poor communication wa enough cause to transfer supervision to Laguna. Schooling was limited to the teaching of the 3 R's with religion being given much importance.
When the country was occupied by the Americans, soldiers were the first teacher and later on some Americans aboard "S.S Thomas" and thus the name of next batch of teachers were called Thomasites. The "Escuela Pia" was also used as their school. English was taught to the natives. According to some old folks of the place a certain Mr. Rockley was the supervisor during that period.
Under the military rule, Sgt. Hezekiah outlaw was the first principal, who two of the Dayrit sister, one after the first elder sister died. Mrs. Jeanne Pearl Outlaw, a former public school teacher was one of his grandchildren.
During the term of Don Cornelio Alcantara 1908-1910, the present lot of the school was acquired. By virtue of the Gabaldon Act, the first public school building was constrcted. It was named the Thomas Jefferson Building which is presently called the Mabini Building. At first it housed only the 3 intermediate grades with the primary classes left at the "Escuela Pia".
In 1913, the first 18 graduates of Grade Seven under Mr. Jose Alcantara recieved their "Certificos". Some of them are: Mr. Odon Alanguilan, father of Mrs. Anita A. Guevarra, formerly district Supervisor of Ambray District: Mr. Cornelio David and Mr. Juan Duran of Alaminos Laguna: Mr. Marcial Maghirang, Mr. Crispulo Bagsic and Mrs. Flaviana Brion Valdeleon. A certain Mr. Crow was the supervisor and Mr. Radwell, the Superintendent.
During the early 1900, Mr. Faustino Ramos Torres, the father of Mr. Pepito Torres, formerly Division Social Studies Supervisor taught at the "Escuela Pia". He was offered the position after finishing Grade Seven. He was called "Maestrong Tino"
During the early part of administration of President Don Marcial Alimario-1914-1916, the Domestic Science Building row the Home Economics Building was constructed. This was followed by the Industrial Arts or Shop Building at the back portion of the Quezon Building.
During the term of Don Feliciano Exconde from 1916-1918, inrovations were made on the Jefferson Building and the Lincoln Building now the Bonifacio Building was also constructed.
In 1917, another batch graduated.Some of them are;Mr. Martin Celino-class valevictorian,Ms. Gloria Arcinas-salututorian, Juana Gesmundo, Marciano Dumaraos, Lourdes Mariano, Leona Mariano, Domingo Natoza, Eulogio de Mesa, Emeterio de Mesa, Anacleto Lacsam, Juan del Barrio, Alfredo Eubinag, Cecilia Reyes, Gregorio Briones and Encarnacion Gesmundo.Their Grade Seven teacher was Mr. Odon Alanguilan.
In 1918, Dr.Eufronio Alip was the class first. It was during this year that Mr. Martin Celino taught at the Escudero Building,an annex of the Central School.Due to the increase in enrolment, other buildings were rented as annexes. These were the Mortera Bldg.,the Diawatan Bldg.,the Catipon Bldg., the Gesmundo Bldg., and other Escudero Building.
During those days, most of the teachers were only Grade Seven graduates like Mr. Delfin Hernandez, Mr. Arsenio Deangkinay, Mr. Felipe Alcantara, Ms.Gloria Arcinas and the certain Ms.Bellela.
In 1925, Don Zacarias Sahagun, the President had the Rizal Bldg. constructed. It was the biggest building even up to the present time.
In 1929, the concrete fence facing the Rizal Avenue was started.During the term of President Crispin Calabia, the concrete gate from Rizal Avenue and other concrete paths within the school was completed in 1930-1931. Mr. Ronald Williamson as the Superintendent, Jose Catindig-Academic Supervisor,Mrs. Carmen Villarica-H.E. Supervisor, Vicente Garcia, Industrial Supervisor, Eduardo Religioso-Supervising Teacher,Felipe Amoranto-Pricipal,Elberto Zaballa-Asst. Principal and Amador Torres-Shop Teacher.
The present concrete fence was completed through funds raised by Dr. Leon Castillo. He had the longest term as PTA President and had a building constructed in memory of his late parents, the Fule-Castillo Building.
In 1929,the monument of the Goddes of Wisdom,Minerva was dorated by its graduated.Mr. B.M. Boyers was the Superintendent, Jose Catinding-Academic Supervisor, Carmen Villarica, H.E. Supervisor,Mateo Alfonso-Industrial Supervisor and Estanislao Fernandez, the Principal.
Additional lots wer purchased from 1935-1938.The Administration Building now the Quezon Bldg. was also constructed within the period.
Congressman Tomas Dizon presented a Bill on May 7, 1940 and finally approved on March, 1941 which converted San Pablo into a chartered city. This was under Commonwealth Act. No. 520. After a number of amendatory laws, San Pablo City became a separate division June 5, 1953 with Mr. Francisco San Andreas, the academic supervisor of Laguna becoming the First Assistant Superintendent and later on Superintendent of the Division.It was in 1955 that the Division was separated from Laguna.
In 1940, when the National Language was taught as a subject, the three academic buildings, Jefferson, Lincoln and Administration were renamed Mabini, Bonifacio and Quezon respectively.
World War brought significant changes and a public high school was opened.The Boys High was housed at the Rizal Building and the Girls High School at the Bonifacio Building. Mr. Mauricio Alip was the Principal for the Elementary and Ms. Modesta Torres for high school.
Schools during the Japanese regime were under the supervision of the Imperial Army.Old textbooks were used but those pages with Nationalistic ideas were cut off or pasted together. In 1994, classes were all transfered to the Seminario or to the present Liceo de San Pablo. Many damages to buildings and properties were brought about by the war and reconstruction started by virtue of the Phil. Rehabilitation Act of 1946. In 1948, the present Industrial Arts Building was started by Mr. Isaias CArlos, Mr. Braulio Quinay and other male teachers and janitors of the school. Later on, the city Enginneering Office took over the construction and finished the work.
The Liberation period was highlighted by the construction of Lim Building thru funds raised by Mr. Pablo Ramos, the District Supervisor but was destroyed by thypoon Jean. Another 6 room building was constructed by the PTA with the help of male teachers and janitors. Octagon rest house was made but it is now destroyed. It was replaced by the Teachers' Center which was constructed in 1971-72 during the term of President Lucio Marasigan with Miss Concepcion D. Licsi, the Superintendent. This was made possible thru the help of the city Mayor Cesar P. Dizon.
Upon the assumption of President Ferdinad E. Marcos, the Marcos type building was constructed. First 2-3 rooms were allocated to the Central School. This was the first temporary building used by the City High School. Later on, when the City High School moved to its present site at Lakeside, one of the buildings was used by the division for the property custodian anf the others by the Non-formal education classes of the Central School.
In 1976, a U S Bayanihan Building was constructed. This was an innovation of the Marcos type. This was constructed in the place of the old dilappidated PTA building under the administration of Miss Sol Alcanrata
With the proclamation of Martial Law, the Bagong Lipunan type was introduced. The first of such type was constructed near the Shop Building under Miss Cresenciana B. de Luna. Two H.E. buildings were also constructed, one a barrio type and another financed bu the local school board.
In 1978, another Bagong Lipunan Building was constructed in place of the 6 room Lim Building. Miss Consolacion D. Alora was tje principal, Mrs. Anita A. Guevarra-the District Supervisor, and Miss Angelita M. Pulgado, the City Schools Superintendent. Two more Bagong Lipunan Buildings were added thru proper representation of the principal and the City High School Superintendent.
Drinking fountains were constructed in front of the school buildings thru the PTA and civil c-minded citizens of the community. Construction of thr toilets were made between Rizal and Bonifacio Building at the cost oh Php25 000.00 from the local school board.
Additional school buildings were constructed in 1986-1987 thru the leadership of Mr.Gregorio Cosico-the Principal with Ms.Araceli Brion-District Supervisor. Another Bagong Lipunan Type was made at the back of Bonifacio Building thru the effort of Mrs.Nora Baquiran and Ms.Cresenciana B. de Luna,the District Supervisor.
A two-storey building will be soon constructed near the Rizal Building with the present admnistration. It will cost more than four million coming from the National Fund.