Mt. Carmel enrollment increased 73 pct. since 2012

A Saipan Mayor’s Office staff cleans Mt. Carmel School’s field during a recent campus cleanup. (Contributed Photo)

The island’s sole Catholic educational institution will welcome the new school year this week with a 73-percent increase in student enrollment since 2012, with 434 student registered to attend. Mount Carmel School president Galvin Deleon Guerrero told Saipan Tribune that the school’s student body comprised just 250 students three years ago.

“The school has succeeded in a number of ways that have demonstrated to our community the rigor of our academic programs, the diversity of our extra-curricular activities, and the commitment of our faculty, staff, and administrators,” he said.

Guerrero noted that the recent news of an accreditation term with AdvancED, student achievement, and new initiatives taken by the school’s board is fueled by parents, families, friends, Knights, and AlumKnights.

“Our mission this school year is to deliver high quality education to every student and provide a safe and orderly school,” school principal Frances Taimanao said in an email.

New courses, faculty

Taimanao said that she is “very excited to begin this new school year.” In particular, Taimanao explained that the private school will be launching Achieve 3000, a daily nonfiction reading and writing instruction, for all of its students.

The school also plans to vigorously expand its e-textbook initiative. MCS will offer music, film, journalism, gardening, Zumba fitness, and principles of interpersonal communication skills to its list of elective courses for the year.

“Another addition is the Sports Recreation Room, a weightlifting room and sports skills development,” she said.

AlumKnigts John Blanco, John Del Rosario, Fr. James Balajadia, and Galvin Deleon Guerrero will continue to work at MCS while Jackie Che, 2005 AlumKnight, and Kevin Bautista, 2011 AlumKnight, serve as adjunct instructors.

“We are excited that our AlumKnights continue to come back and give back to their alma mater,” Guerrero said.

Taimanao said the school aims to equip its students with 21st century skills as well. “We are expected to…integrate the use of technology in lessons, and demonstrate different learning styles. MCS is fortunate to have such talented and committed faculty and staff,” she added.

The Saipan Mayor’s Office recently conducted a campus cleanup for MCS’ opening.

The MCS parent orientation and open house are scheduled to take place on Aug. 12 at 5pm.