HISTORY OF ICAM
The history of the Immaculate Conception Academy of Manila can be traced back to the year nineteen hundred and forty-six (1946). Madeleine Payette, MIC and Sr. Mary Donavan, MIC opened a small school at the Ampil Annex in what used to be a cigarette factory on July 18, 1946. By August 15, the Sisters were ready to admit 85 pupils. Pedro Pajarillo, the parish priest of Gagalangin,
earnestly welcomed the Sisters directing the first Catholic school for his 90,000 parishioners. With the growing student population, the Sisters rented a bigger place at the corner of Pampanga and Juan Luna Streets during the school year 1947-48. The Academy received the government's recognition to open the Kindergarten course on October 28, 1947. Meanwhile, construction of a new building was underway on a larger lot at S. del Rosario Street corner North Bay Boulevard now known as Honorio Lopez Street). On March 19, 1948, the blessing of the cornerstone took place with Archbishop M.J. O'Doherty officiating. To this day, a big portion of the main wooden structure still exists. On June 28, 1948, ICAM formally opened its doors to an enrollment of about 800 students. The complete elementary education curriculum was granted on March 3, 1949. Finally, on August 11, 1950, the government recognized ICAM as an Academy for preparatory college with the opening of the secondary course. During the decades of the 50s and the 60s, the school administrators adopted a curriculum that provided all the necessary aspects and features geared towards the development of students who would be inner-directed and capable of meeting life's challenges as responsible Christians. Through this period, different Catholic school organizations and clubs, like Student Catholic Action, Sodality, Apostleship of Prayer, catechism classes for pupils in nearby public schools, etc. provided avenues for the students to actively engage in the school's community outreach. In 1964, with the government's requirement for the nationalization of schools, Sr. Guadalupe Sempio, MIC, was appointed the first Filipino principal of the school. During her term, a four-story building facing Honorio Lopez Street was constructed to house the growing high school population. The turn of the '70s saw ICAM with a new set of administrators who faithfully transmitted the school's vision-mission. The school provides students with venues for honing their God-given talents and developing the spirit of community and teamwork through various school organizations and clubs. Through the fast-paced dynamic years 80s and 90s, the school was under the helm of dedicated MIC directresses who have kept alive ICAM's spirit of thanksgiving as they pursued the realization of the school's vision-mission. In the early 90s, a new building was constructed as a response to the parents' request to accommodate Grade 5 and 6 boys. On December 8, 1992, Fr. Joseph's Parish Priest, blessed the two-story Delia Tetreault Building housing twelve (12) classrooms and a grade school patio. As ICAM celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1996, it renewed its commitment to its mission of assisting the students in their integral formation and development as competent and productive Christians who are responsive to serve God, country, and people. Together with this renewed commitment, the school's physical setup continued to expand. In 1999-2000, responding to the needs of the increasing elementary population, a four-story building was erected. On June 9, 2000, Bishop Teodoro Buhain, D.D., blessed the new building that housed the grade school speech laboratory and computer room, a prayer room, science, music, and a faculty room for the grades 4, 5, and 6 teachers besides the fifteen (15) classrooms. At the ground floor area: the more spacious Multi-Purpose Hall, the grade school H.E. Room and the expanded and renovated canteen. The former grade school patio of the Delia Tetreault building, being refurbished and fully air-conditioned accommodates the school library previously located on the third floor of the old building. In 2005, ICAM which was previously meant to be an exclusive all-girls high school had started accepting boys in the first year level of the high school department, limiting admission to ICAM's elementary graduates. The school believes that the boys are as deserving as the girls in gaining access to quality education. This move also helped enhance the social skills of the high school girls. The year is also ushered with good tidings as the Grade School Department has been granted level 1 status by the Federation of Accrediting Agencies of the Philippines (FAAP) and is now a candidate for accreditation by the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU). This is the administrators' way of showing that ICAM always endeavors to distinguish itself as an effective and potent educational institution that will continuously evolve towards quality and relevant education. In 2006, the two-story building was replaced by the construction of a three-story building which will house Kinder/Prep classrooms and playroom on the ground floor, the audio-visual center and library on the second floor extending to the administrative building, and the multi-purpose gymnasium on the third floor. To be true to its mission in catholic education in the present Philippine Society, ICAM has to continually work on an educational system that is functional to the achievement of its mission- to assist the students in their integral formation and development.
