From a humble dormitory for girls in Tagbilaran to a thriving institution that continues to shape lives — Holy Spirit School of Tagbilaran carries a legacy built on mission, excellence, and love for community.
1926
Year Founded
100+
Years of Excellence
6
Institutional Names
1926
October 16, on the feast of Nuestra Señora del Pilar
Tagbilaran City,
Bohol
J.A. Clarin, Purok 3, Dao District (current site)
HSST, Inc.
Holy Spirit School of Tagbilaran · Since July 2013
That old sleepy town aptly described Tagbilaran circa 1926. It was truly a small, nondescript town with only one main thoroughfare leading to Plaza Rizal with the Gobierno fronting it. Just a stone's throw away was the old stone church where San Jose was venerated as its Patron Saint.
Holy Spirit School of Tagbilaran is one link in the chain of educational institutions owned and operated by the Mission Congregation of the Servants of the Holy Spirit (SSpS) all over the world. It was founded in 1926 by the late Msgr. Gelacio Ramirez, a diocesan priest. It started as a dormitory to shelter girls who were studying in Bohol National High School. Like a mustard seed which grew into a tree, it developed until it reached the stature that it has today.
"Like a mustard seed which grew into a tree, it developed until it reached the stature that it has today."
On October 16, 1926, on the feast of Nuestra Señora del Pilar, the first three SSpS Sisters — Sr. Laeticia, Sr. Blasia, and Sr. Josaphata — arrived in Tagbilaran. This was in answer to the request made by Father Gelacio Ramirez for the SSpS Sisters to work in his parish in Tagbilaran, Bohol.
Realizing the missionary zeal of the three pioneer Sisters, Father Ramirez helped them open a Kindergarten with 19 enrollees on November 1. This was the humble beginning of the elementary and high school which soon followed. The school was called Saint Joseph's Academy in honor of the Patron of Tagbilaran. With a total of forty-nine learners, the school year began in 1927–1928.
The following year, 1928–1929, brought in more than two hundred learners from Kindergarten to Grade Seven and First Year High School. Enrollment consistently increased every year until the outbreak of the war, when it reached five hundred sixty-six. Classes were temporarily suspended during the war years and resumed on June 4, 1945 after World War II.
Post-World War II saw a big stride in the development of Saint Joseph's Academy. A permit to offer a two-year course leading to the title of Elementary Teacher's Certificate was obtained from the Bureau of Private Schools. Consequently, the school name changed from Saint Joseph's Academy to Saint Joseph's Junior College in July 1950.
The early fifties witnessed the beginning of college courses in Music, Education, and Liberal Arts. Accordingly, the façade of the school got a new look with the signboard Saint Joseph's College in July 1957, and later College of the Holy Spirit in July 1965.
In 1974, the college department was phased out. Thus, in the next school year, the name of the school was changed to Holy Spirit School.
The school celebrated its Golden Jubilee in October 1976 and its Diamond Jubilee in July 2001.
Holy Spirit School fully bloomed in its gender advocacy in the province of Bohol. In 2007–2008, the HSS WINGS structure and program was elevated to the province level.
HSST underwent its first survey visit as an Integrated Basic Education Program — more than two and a half years after challenges involving ownership and damage from the October 2013 earthquake.
The school transferred fully to its new three-hectare site at J.A. Clarin, Purok 3, Dao District, Tagbilaran City — and opened the new Senior High School offering ABM, GAS, and STEM tracks.
In July 2013, the school name changed from Holy Spirit School to Holy Spirit School of Tagbilaran (HSST), Inc. Holy Spirit School of Tagbilaran, with separate Grade School and High School, underwent its first survey visit as an Integrated Basic Education Program in January 2015.
As part of its continuing mission to provide a conducive atmosphere for meaningful teaching and learning, Holy Spirit School of Tagbilaran acquired a new three-hectare site located at J.A. Clarin, Purok 3, Dao District, Tagbilaran City. The Nursery, Kindergarten 1, Kindergarten 2, and Grade School Department transferred to the new school site on January 11, 2016.
During school year 2016–2017, the whole school population was fully transferred to the new school location with the completion of two school buildings. In the same school year, the new Senior High School as part of the basic education program was opened. The Academic Track offered Accountancy, Business and Management (ABM), General Academic Strand (GAS), and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
In February 2018, the Junior and Senior High School building was completed, and the transfer of learners to the high school building took place in the first week of March 2018.
Grade School (1926) · High School (1928)
Two-year Elementary Teacher's Certificate program
College courses in Music, Education, and Liberal Arts
Name reflects the SSpS congregation's mission
College department phased out; return to basic education
Current name; full Basic Education program
CRUSADERS
Thank you for being part of the continuing story of Holy Spirit School of Tagbilaran. Your heritage lives on in every learner who walks through these halls.
In Veritate et Caritate · Truth and Love · 1926–2026
