A new school, tentatively named Southwoods Academy, will open in Bacolod City in June 2009.

The school, a brainchild of businessman Ramon “Monet” Lacson, is envisioned to establish English proficiency, advance computer Literacy and environment consciousness among pre-school and primary students in Negros Occidental.

It will have the same system as La Salle and will open its nursery, kinder and prep prep-school, as well as Grade 1 to Grade 6 classes for the 2009-2010 school year.

Lacson said the idea of opening a school in the southern part of Bacolod City was hatched two years ago with other Bacolod City businessmen.

He said he believes that education is the only way of changing the society and opening doors of opportunities for Filipinos, and added that good values will be emphasized in the formation of students enrolled in the new school.

Tuition fees will be slightly lower than that of La Salle, he said, but slightly higher compared to other private schools in the city. Parents and guardians have the option of paying their accounts with the school on installment basis, Lacson said.

Tapped to develop the school’s curriculum and supervise the hiring of teachers is Ethel Ferrer, former principal of the University of St. La Salle-Integrated School.

Ferrer said that their method of teaching will be based on the “multiple-intelligence” strategy and lesson plans have already been submitted to the Department of Education for approval.

The school will be fenced-in and pre-schoolers will have a separate playground from the elementary students, Lacson said.

A high-standard of education, with focus on good values, is the vision of Southwoods, he said, adding that students will be encouraged to learn, not only the fundamentals, but to think deeply.

“We want to see students who can explain and analyze the principles behind the lessons, students who can communicate and express themselves in English proficiently,” Lacson said.

On its first year, he said, they expect to have 300 up to 400 students with classroom size of 25 maximum for pre-school, and 35-40 students in the elementary.

Opening a new school and taking an active part in the development of the minds of young students is a very worthwhile endeavor. It is more fulfilling that making more money, Lacson said.*NAB

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