List of the oldest schools in the Philippines

This is a list of educational institutions in the Philippines arranged according to the dates of their foundation. It comprises the list of the oldest schools in the Philippines sorted in various categories, and gives an overview of the development of education and higher learning in the Philippines. To be included in this list, an institution must satisfy a traditional definition of a formal educational institution at the time of its founding.

The oldest universities, colleges, vocational schools and the first modern public education system in Asia were created during the Spanish colonial period. The earliest schools were founded by Spanish Catholic missionaries. By the time Spain was replaced by the United States as the colonial power, Filipinos were among the most educated subjects in all of Asia.

Dispute over the oldest school

The title of the oldest in the Philippines have been topic for debate between two educational institutions: the University of Santo Tomas and the University of San Carlos.UST, USC engages in friendly debate Today's Carolinian Accessed April 19, 2020

The University of Santo Tomas, established in 1611 as the Colegio de Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario, is the oldest university in the Philippines. In 1935 the Commonwealth government of the Philippines through the Historical Research and Markers Committee declared that UST was "oldest university under the American flag."The Historical Marker Database accessed April 19, 2020 In the 1990s, the Intramuros Administration installed a marker on the original site of the University of Santo Tomas with the recognition that the university is the "oldest university in Asia."University of Santo Tomas Intramuros Administration marker Accessed April 23, 2020 In 2011 Pope Benedict XVI recognized UST as "the oldest institution of Catholic higher education in the Far East,"The Papal Message from Pope Benedict XVI to the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas accessed April 19, 2020 while in 2012 the National Historical Commission of the Philippines published an online article recognizing UST as Asia's oldest university.Asia’s Oldest University, The Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas 'National Historical Commission of the Philippines' accessed April 19, 2020

However, University of San Carlos has opposed this recognition and claims that it is older than the University of Santo Tomas by 16 years by tracing its roots to the Colegio de San Ildefonso (established 1595).About USC 'The University of San Carlos Website' accessed April 19, 2020 In 1995, University of San Carlos celebrated its Quadricentennial (400th Anniversary).No contest: UST is oldest university 'Philippine Daily Inquirer' Accessed April 19, 2020

UST as Asia's oldest university Numerous scholars and official government bodies have reviewed the case. In 2010, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines installed a bronze marker declaring USC's foundation late in the 18th century, effectively disproving any direct connection with the Colegio de San Ildefonso.NHCP historical marker for University of San Carlos in Cebu City 'National Historical Commission of the Philippines marker' accessed April 19, 2020 According to Dr. Victor Torres of the De La Salle University, the University of San Carlos' claim only dates back to 1948, when USC was declared a university. Fidel Villarroel from the University of Santo Tomas argued that USC only took over the facility of the former Colegio de San Ildefonso and that there is no 'visible' and 'clear' link between San Carlos and San Ildefonso.UST is oldest, period 'The Varsitarian' Accessed April 19, 2020 Aloysius Cartagenas (a Cebuano), in a paper published by Philippiniana Sacra, stated that the correct foundation year of USC is 1867, and not 1595,Which Is the Oldest University? Revisiting the Conflicting Claims of the University of Santo Tomas, Manila and University of San Carlos, Cebu in Light of the Historyof Seminario (Mayor) de San Carlos of Cebu 'Philippine E-Journals' accessed April 19, 2020 while in 2012 the National Historical Commission of the Philippines cemented its previous position when it published an online article recognizing UST as Asia's oldest university.

Oldest educational institutions Current name/Latest name before extinction Yearfounded Name at time of foundation Foundingorder Location upon foundation/Last location if extinct Currentstatus Current/lastaffiliations Type Colegio de Santa Potenciana 1589 Colegio de Santa Potenciana Franciscan Order Intramuros, Manila Defunct Private Grant to the seminary of Santa Potenciana, 1617 accessed May 30, 2012Real Colegio de Santa Potenciana accessed May 30, 2012Perez Dasmarinas, Luis. Letters from Luis Perez Dasmariñas to Felipe II. In The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898. Ohio: A.H. Clark Company, 1903-9. Vol. 9Ang edukasyon sa panahon ng mga Kastila "The Filipino Corner" accessed October 27, 2012 Universidad de San Ignacio 1590 Colegio de Manila Society of Jesus Intramuros, Manila Defunct Society of Jesus Seminary, Pontifical, royal, private The First Hundred Years of the Ateneo de Manila Ateneo de Manila University website May 1, 2012Geographical History Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila website May 1, 2012 Colegio de San Ildefonso 1595 Colegio de San Ildefonso Society of Jesus Cebu City Defunct Society of Jesus Private About USC: University of San Carlos University of San Carlos website retrieved on April 24, 2012No contest: UST is oldest university Inquirer.net accessed May 30, 2012UST is oldest, period Varsitarian website accessed May 30, 2012 Colegio y Seminario de San José 1601 Colegio de San Jose Society of Jesus Intramuros, Manila Society of Jesus Private History of Colegio de San Jose / San Jose Seminary San Jose Seminary website accessed May 12, 2012Fr. Miguel A. Bernad, S.J.: "Colegio de San José (1601–2001): A Quick Survey of the Turbulent 400-year History of an Educational Institution" Monk's Hobbit May 1, 2012 Real y Pontificia Universidad de Santo Tomás de Aquino (University of Santo Tomas, Manila) 1611 Colegio de Nuestra Señora de Santisimo Rosario Dominican Order Intramuros, Manila Dominican Order Private, pontifical, royal History of the University of Santo Tomas University of Santo Tomas website accessed May 30, 2012 Colegio de San Juan de Letran 1620 Colegio de Niños Huerfanos de San Juan de Letran Don Juan Geronimo Guerrero Intramuros, Manila Dominican Order Private History of Colegio de San Juan de Letran Colegio de San Juan de Letran website accessed May 30, 2012 Colegio de Huérfanos de Santos Pedro y Pablo 1620 Colegio de Huérfanos de Santos Pedro y Pablo Dominican Order Intramuros, Manila Defunct Private Colegio de San Juan de Letran 1620 Colegio de San Juan de Letran Dominican Order Intramuros, Manila Dominican Order Private A Knight's Tale - The Lance, June 2005 Real Colegio de Santa Isabel (Santa Isabel College, Manila) 1632 Real Colegio de Santa Isabel Intramuros, Manila Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul Private Santa Isabel College Santa Isabel College website accessed May 28, 2012Colegio de Santa Isabel intramuros.wordpress.com accessed October 27, 2012 Universidad de San Felipe de Austria 1640 Universidad de San Felipe de Austria Audiencia Real de Manila Intramuros, Manila Defunct Public The Philippine Star accessed May 28, 2012

Oldest educational institutions in continuous operation Current name Traces origin to Yearfounded Foundingorder Location upon foundation Type Currentaffiliations Colegio y Seminario de San José Colegio de San Jose 1601 Society of Jesus Intramuros, Manila Private Jesuit Real y Pontificia Universidad de Santo Tomás de Aquino (University of Santo Tomás, Manila) Colegio de Nuestra Señora del Santísimo Rosario 1611 Dominican Order Intramuros, Manila Private, pontifical, royal Dominican Order Colegio de San Juan de Letran Colegio de San Juan de Letran1620 Dominican Order Intramuros, Manila Private Dominican Order Colegio de Huerfanos de San Pedro y San Pablo jobstreet.com accessed May 30, 2012 Real Colegio de Santa Isabel (Santa Isabel College, Manila) Real Colegio de Santa Isabel 1632 Intramuros, Manila Private, Royal Daughters of Charity San Carlos Seminary Real y Conciliar Colegio de San Carlos 1702 Archdiocese of Manila Intramuros, Manila Seminary Archdiocese of Manila San Carlos Seminary website accessed May 28, 2012 Santa Catalina College Beaterio Colegio de Santa Catalina de Siena 1706 Dominican Order Intramuros, Manila Private Dominican Order History of the Colegio de Santa Catalina accessed May 29, 2012The Beaterio de Sta. Catalina de Siena of Manila: Its Beginnings Mother Francisca O.P. Siena website accessed October 27, 2012Brief accounts on the Mother Foundress and the Beaterio de Santa Catalina de Siena now the Congregation of Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena accessed October 27, 2012Mother Francisca del Espiritu Santo accessed October 27, 2012Noli Me Tangere/Huag Acong Salangin Nino Man: Pascual Poblete Filipino translation by Rizal, Jose Filipiniana.net accessed October 27, 2012 St. Mary's College Colegio del Beaterio 1725 Religious of the Virgin Mary Intramuros, Manila Private Religious of the Virgin Mary Colegio de Santa Rosa Beaterio y Casa de Enseñanza 1750 Intramuros, Manila Private Daughters of Charity Geodeg website accessed October 28, 2012Ito ang mga kolehiyong itinatag ng mga paring Kastila sa Pilipinas accessed October 28, 2012Colegio de Sta. Rosa’s Legend of the Twisted Sword Traveler on foot website accessed October 28, 2012 Seminario Mayor de San Carlos Real Seminario de San Carlos 1783 Archdiocese of Cebu Cebu City Seminary Society of the Divine Word History and Heritage Seminario Mayor de San Carlos website accessed May 28, 2012 Holy Rosary Minor Seminary Casa de Clerigos 1793 Archdiocese of Caceres Naga City SeminaryArchdiocese of Caceres Holy Rosary Minor Seminary History accessed May 28, 2012 Immaculate Conception School of Theology, Vigan Seminario de San Pablo 1822 Dominican Order Vigan Seminary Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia Immaculate Conception School of Theology history Immaculate Conception School of Theology website accessed May 28, 2012Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia Claretian Publications website accessed October 28, 2012Seminaries, Houses of Formation UCA News website accessed October 28, 2012Nueva Segovia Chancery directory Nueva Segovia Chancery website accessed October 28, 2012 Ateneo de Manila University Escuela Municipal de Manila 1859 Society of Jesus Intramuros, Manila Private Jesuit Saint Vincent Ferrer Seminary Seminario-Colegio de San Vicente Ferrer 1869 Archdiocese of Jaro Jaro, Iloilo City Seminary Archdiocese of Jaro

Oldest educational institutions for girls