University of Santo Tomas Senior High School

Senior high school of the University of Santo Tomas

Teal GoldNicknameUST Senior High or UST SHS

The University of Santo Tomas Senior High School popularly known as UST SHS or UST Senior High, was established on 2016 to cater upon the establishment of senior high school (grades 11-12) in the Philippines.^[2] It is one of the basic education schools of the University of Santo Tomas.^[3]

UST SHS offers offers a diverse range of academic pathways through its six specialized strands. Students can opt for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Strand (STEM), Accountancy and Business Management Strand (ABM), General Academic Strand - Health Allied (HA), Humanities and Social Sciences Strand (HUMSS), Music and Arts Strand (MAD) and lastly, Physical Education and Sports Track (PES)

Academics

The academic programs include core subjects that adhere to the curriculum guides set by the Department of Education, along with contextualized subjects that are shared among all strands but tailored to suit the specific focus of each. Additionally, each strand offers specialized subjects geared towards preparing students for their chosen tertiary programs.^[4]

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Strand (STEM) a curriculum based in pursuing tertiary programs related to physical sciences, mathematics, engineering, and technology.
Accountancy and Business Management Strand (ABM) solely based in management with its specialized subjects being business mathematics, accountancy, business organization, economics, entrepreneurship, finance, marketing, as well as ethics in business.
General Academic Strand - Health Allied (HA) a strand unique and different from other senior high schools which the University offers to those who will work on the health profession, the curriculum offers lessons on anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry as well as physics.
Humanities and Social Sciences Strand (HUMSS) mainly based in liberal arts education and social sciences aligned with college programs in the UST Faculty of Arts and Letters.
Music and Arts Strand (MAD) focuses in performing arts, media, visual arts, and industrial design aligned with those who want to pursue UST College of Fine Arts and Design and UST Conservatory of Music.
Physical Education and Sports Track (PES) a curriculum based in sports and wellness, with coaching and fitness leadership.

Facilities

The UST Senior High School initially resided in the Buenaventura Garcia Paredes Building before relocating to the Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati Building in 2019.^[5]

Currently, the UST Senior High School is situated on the 10th to 15th floors of the Frassati Building, positioned in the southeastern part adjacent to the UST campus and connected via a link bridge. The College of Information and Computing Sciences also shares the building, which occupies the 18th to 20th levels.

The Miguel de Benavides Library also has a branch in its sixth floor, which is exclusively for UST Senior High School students.^[6]^[7]

The Frassati building serves as the hub for various departments and centers within UST, including the UST Senior High School, College of Information and Computing Sciences, Educational Technology Center, Santo Tomas e-Services Providers, and TOMASInno Center. It boasts classrooms, laboratories, a two-story library, a gymnasium, an auditorium, and additional amenities.^[8]

Student Organizations

The UST Senior High School is home to various student organizations.^[9]

UST SHS Student Council, the highest governing body of the senior high school

UST SHS COMELEC, the official student election authority of the senior high school

Student publication

La Stampa, official student publication of the senior high school

Student-based organizations:

UST SHS STEM Society, the official strand society of STEM
UST SHS ABM Society, the official strand society of ABM
UST SHS HUMSS Society, the official strand society of HUMSS
UST SHS Health Allied Society, the official strand society of HA
UST SHS MAD Society, the official strand society of MAD
UST SHS PES Society, the official society of PES

Academic-based organizations:

Alinaga, reading club
El Tigre Robotica, robotics club
Future Scientist Club, science and technology club
Thomasian Debate Varsity, debate and public speaking club
Crisis Control Council, disaster readiness and risk reduction club
Hilagyo, philosophy club
Math Wizards Club, organization for math enthusiasts
Scholia, official organization of UST SHS scholars

Skills-based organizations:

Samahang Galian, filipino club
Multimedia Club (MMC), multimedia enthusiasts
UST SHS Atelier, artworks, digital arts, photography, film club
UST Sinagtala, performing and theater artcs club
UST Tiger SHOOT, (Senior High Organization of Outstanding Talents) events production and talent club
UST SHS Galvanize, dance club which also represents juniors division UAAP Street Dance Competition, recent champion UAAP Season 85 (2023)
UST Sayaw Sining, cultural dance club
Virtuoso, voice and instrument, music club / chorale

Religious organizations:

UST SHS Pax Romana Unit, premier religious organization of the UST SHS based on the University's Pax Romana.

Beads of Mary Organization, religion club
Dominican Network Youth Group - UST SHS, Dominican network local organizations of DYG Philippines
Missionary Families of Christ - HIGH, religion club
TOMAS, community development club
Young Ones for Unity, religion club

References

^ Lin Weng, Mei (29 January 2024). "Lowest in three years: Number of UST enrollees drops to 40,657". The Flame. Retrieved 2024-02-04.
^ Antonio, Rafael L. (2015-06-29). "Big 4 admission tests to continue". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
^ "Faculties, Colleges, Institutes, and Schools". University of Santo Tomas. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
^ "Senior High School". University of Santo Tomas. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
^ Magpali, Charm Ryanne (2019-09-07). "New building welcomes 3,531 SHS students". The Varsitarian. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
^ "Branches - Miguel de Benavides Library". library.ust.edu.ph. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
^ "The Academia" (PDF). University of Santo Tomas.
^ Malgapu, Hans (2022-02-23). "UST formally inaugurates Frassati Building; drainage system, link bridge also blessed". University of Santo Tomas. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
^ Retrieved from the University of Santo Tomas Senior High School student handbook school year 2021-2022.