Founded in 1985, Makati Hope Christian School (MHCS) has become a hub for high standards of education programs from Early Childhood Education to the advanced Robotics Curriculum.
With the hope of expanding its services to learners, MHCS opened its campus extension on the ground floor, St. Francis Square, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City.
In an interview with Manila Bulletin Lifestyle, we talked to Teresa P. Lopez, school head of MHCS Ortigas, about the extension campus and how it could benefit current and upcoming enrollees.
Why choose Ortigas as the location for the school extension?
Much like Makati City, Mandaluyong is an ideal location for the school as it caters to students from different cultures. Its commercial and residential nature enhances convenience and accessibility for families residing in the area.
How many students is this new location already accommodating, and what grades?
The school offers programs ranging from early education to senior high school. We are targeting 100 students in our first year of operation.
What special programs or curriculum does the school offer?
Makati Hope Christian School- Ortigas commits to continuing the legacy of the main campus. We emphasize integrating the Chinese language and culture with Christian values and comprehensive academic and extracurricular programs to cater to holistic student development.
We have specialized laboratories for our Robotics, ICT, and Science programs. This year, we will maximize our activity area for other activities that promote overall wellness, such as chess, table tennis, and taekwondo. In addition, we will offer after-school activities for students interested in other areas, such as music and math varsity training.
Our curriculum has the following features over and above the Basic Education Curriculum of the Department of Education (DepEd) requirements. Some of these are the following:
- Chinese Classes for Beginners and Advanced at all levels.
- Students who lack proficiency in languages. e.g. English, Filipino, and Chinese, are placed in specific language intervention programs. The continuous offering of Special Filipino Class and Intensive Academic Program (IAP) for students who need basic language proficiency effectively supports the transition into mainstream classes.
- Students who excel in math may be recommended to the Math Varsity Program, the aim of which is to train students for local and international competitions.
- School clubs are designed based on students' interests and are interlinked with the learning areas to help realize their objectives.
- Our partnership with Practical Music Course enhances the curriculum, which provides alternative music courses for musically inclined students who want to learn to play a musical instrument.
- There are varied interest centers that facilitate learning through self-discovery. Science hands-on, minds-on activities are conducted in the Science laboratories; Math uses Koobits as an online interactive math portal, and English uses the Reading Center at the library.
- Enhanced ICT curriculum is offered from pre-school and continues through high school.
- Technical Drafting is offered in Grade 7. Courses from Grade 8 to Grade 10 deal with accounting and developing entrepreneurial skills.
- In lieu of Values Education, MHCS offers Christian Values Education, which integrates the learning of values in the study of the Scriptures.
- The varsity sports program is designed to give varsity players a standard training program using standard equipment to be ready for local and international competitions.
- A chapel period is scheduled weekly to mold the students to be lifelong learners of God’s Word.
What's your message to students who will enroll on this campus?
Makati Hope Christian School warmly welcomes all our students, and we are excited to be part of your learning journey. Together, we will continue the legacy of the main campus- the legacy of academic and character formation- and we will all strive to create our own unique stories of success!
MHCS is now accepting enrollees. On October 5, the Ortigas branch will have an Open House event so parents and students can see what the school could offer. For more information, visit MHCS’ official website.