Established in 1969 and named after its location, the Magarang Peak and the small Lake Lanao, is considered to be the most difficult school to reach in Digos City. With its unique agricultural location, Ranao Elementary School is the only school in Digos City which cannot be reached by wheeled vehicles. Horseback-riding and walking are the only ways you can reach the school. The school started with only one hut in 1969 to cater the first batch of its pupils. However, during the 1980s, the school's location became a hotspot of conflict between the local armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, leading to its temporary closure until its eventual reopening in 1997. The school is the only surviving school among the two schools of the mountain ranges of Kitako (Kitako Primary School) and Magarang (Ranao Elementary School) in Digos City, which were both affected by armed conflict. The enrolment of Ranao Elementary School has been declining throughout the years. Main reason is the relocation provided by the government in the Tribal Village, Sitio Napan in Goma, Digos City. However, with the ongoing construction of the tourism road from the city to Mahilak Falls, which will touch 100 meters of connecting trail to the school, the school has high hopes of reviving its dying population. The improvement of the school is attributed to its supportive stakeholders. Key people and previous managers of the school were Mr. Planas; Mr. Jalalon; Mrs. Tita Heramiz; Mr. Jonathan Almacin; Mr. Rex Calamohoy; and Mr. Jay Paul Cabural, the current School-In-Charge of Ranao Elementary School. The school aims to provide basic quality education to its learners and support its stakeholders and community for the betterment of the lives of its current and future generations.
