The rise of Cabagan Science Elementary School from its prestigious status of today is rooted from a humble but remarkable beginning in 1924. As an off shoot of crowded enrolment when the only primary school in Cabagan was still too small for the knowledge – seeking Cabagueños was the idea of constructing a new site situated at Catabayungan, Cabagan, Isabela to accommodate more school children. Moi
ses Layugan, the then Principal, Cabagan Primary School was constructed in its new site and where it is presently located and rose to excellence as CSES. With the new site in Catabayungan, the school-children enjoyed the exquisite environment of a Gabaldon-type building that provided the convenience to excellent education for every young Cabagueño and children of nearby communities. However, the Cabagan Primary School could not elevate to elementary and offer the Grade V and Grade VI curricula as these were offered by a neighboring school named Cabagan Farm School. Hand-in-hand, these two schools developed as a center of excellence in their own fields. By the year 1930, Cabagan Primary School was granted permission to offer the Grade V curriculum and Mr. Orlando Palogan was one among the first to enroll in the Grade V class. The Class was then handled by Mr. Alberto Bacani. Since then, the school continued to progress and expand until World War II broke out in 1941 – 1944. During this time, the school was occupied by the Japanese army and made it their Garrison. However, even with the Japanese occupation, some Filipino- Japanese classes were opened. The classes were supervised by the late Mr. Paulo Fernandez as the Principal. In the year 1960, Cabagan Primary School was tapped as the Regional Pilot Demonstration Center. At this time, the Farm School was also converted into the Cagayan Valley Institute of Technology (CVIT). The Grade V and VI classes were then transferred to the Pilot School and after five years of successful piloting of the Bureau program, the school was elevated as the Cabagan Central School. In cognizance to the annual graduates of the Cabagan Central School showing excellence in their pursuit of a higher level of education, the School Administrators, Local and National Officials from the municipality determined to elevate the elementary curricula into a Science School. It was in 1998 when Cabagan Central School was changed to Cabagan Science Elementary School ( CSES ) by virtue of Republic Act 8404 under the auspices of Congressman Rodolfo B. Albano. He was convinced to work on the conversion of this school because of the excellent performances of the pupils in both academic and co-curricula. Cabagan Science Elementary School is now known as a consistent producer of scholars in the Philippine Science High School, the Regional Science High School, the Isabela State University Science High School, and other prestigious schools locally and nationwide. Its pupils had been constant winners to several academic scholastic competitions from local up to the national level. The educational leaders who made the school famous not only in the Division but also in the entire nation are cited in accordance with the years of service they rendered. To wit: Mr. Moises Layugan ( 1924-1928 ), Mr. Paulo Fernandez ( 1942-1944). Ambrosio Vinarao ( 1946-1950 ), Mr. Justo Pulido (1951- 1960), Mrs. Natividad B. Rabot (1961-1967), Mr. Antonio M. Deray ( 1968-1976 ), Mrs. Theresita G. Dumalanta ( 1977-1979 ), Miss Gloria Castañeda ( 1979-1980), Mrs. Carmen Letran (1981-1982 ), Mrs. Elvira Sy Miguel (1982-1983 ), Mrs Maria G. Talaue ( 1983), Mrs. Rufina N. Gazzingan ( 1984 – 11/12/90), Mr. Alejandro T. Mabbagu ( 11/30/90 to 5/30/04), Miss Lilia S. Bagunu ( 6/23/04-12/08/09) Dr. Oliver C. Zipagan ( 06/01/09-2013), Dr. Leslie D. Tarun (2012 - 2018) and Dr Adela V. Pagulayan (2018 - Present). The treasured years of the above-mentioned leaders will continue to radiate through generations making the municipality of Cabagan more prosperous, peaceful, and champion of education.
