| Saint Scholastica's College | |
| Motto: | Latin: Ora et Labora (Latin) |
| Mottoeng: | Prayer and Work |
| Type: | Private Catholic Non-profit All-girls Basic and Higher education institution |
| Founder: | Congregation of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing |
| Religious Affiliation: | Roman Catholic (Benedictine Sisters) |
| President: | Sister Mary Christine Pinto |
| Campus: | Urban Area 36655.5m² |
| City: | Leon Guinto Street, Singalong |
| State: | Metro Manila |
| Country: | Philippines |
| Coordinates: | 14.5642°N 120.9964°W |
| Pushpin Map: | Philippines City of Manila#Metro Manila#Luzon mainland#Philippines |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in Manila##Location in Metro Manila##Location in Luzon##Location in the Philippines |
| Students: | 9,856 |
| Administrative Staff: | 800 |
| Colors: | and |
| Free Label: | Alma Mater song |
| Free: | Let's Cheer for St. Scholastica |
| Sporting Affiliations: | WNCAA, WCSA Manila Athletics |
| Nickname: | Scholastican |
Saint Scholastica's College, also referred to by its acronym SSC or colloquially St. Scho, is a private Catholic basic and higher education institution for women founded and managed by the Congregation of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing in a 3.66ha lot in Malate, Manila, Philippines. It was established in 1906 initially offering elementary academic programs. It started admitting high school students in 1907 and opened its collegiate department in 1920. It pioneered in formal music education in the Philippines, opening a Conservatory of Music in 1907.[1]
Although Saint Scholastica's College is an exclusive school for women, admission of male students in the Music, Fine Arts, Interior Design, and preschool programs has been allowed. The college is recognized by the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education and also a charter member of the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities. It has earned Level III accreditation on all of its respective departments and schools. The college had its centennial celebration on December 3, 2006, at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Ermita, Manila.
The college was founded by five young German sisters: Mother M. Ferdinanda Hoelzer, OSB, Sr. Petronilla Keller, OSB, Sr. Cresentia Veser, OSB, Sr. Winfrieda Mueller, OSB, and Novice Alexia Ruedenauer on December 3, 1906 at the request of Apostolic Delegate Monsignor Dom Ambrose Agius, O.S.B. and Archbishop of Manila Jeremiah James Harty, D.D. to give religious education to the children of Manila. The site of the college was then a small residential house surrounded by fishermen's huts in the fishing village of Tondo. There were then six paying students and 50 non-paying students or scholars.
A year after the college opened, it moved to a property in San Marcelino Street in Manila which was later occupied by St. Theresa's College (Manila) and where Adamson University now stands. The school was then housed in an old military barracks.
On December 14, 1914, the college was moved again to another site in Singalong Street where the college presently stands. The latest campus is bounded by Estrada Street on the north, P. Ocampo Street on the south, Singalong Street on the east and Leon Guinto Street on the west.
The land, about 3ha was bought for the amount of two cents per square meter. The college was ravaged by World War II where its school buildings were all destroyed. Reconstruction of the buildings began in 1946 and took nine years to restore.
In 2024, the campus' five main buildings, namely the St. Scholastica Building, St. Cecilia's Hall, St. Hildegard Building, St. Benedict Building, and St. Scholastica's Chapel, were designated as "Important Cultural Properties" by the National Museum of the Philippines.[2]
The St. Scholastica's College was plot setting for the episode 'Class Picture' of the 2008 horror film Shake, Rattle & Roll 10.
The college is a member of the South Manila Inter-Constitutional Schools along with De La Salle University, Philippine Women's University, Philippine Christian University, Adamson University, Philippine Normal University, and the St. Paul University Manila. The students of the member schools may take accredited subjects in their chosen school for cross-enrollment. The college is also part of the Women's Consortium Colleges which includes Miriam College in Katipunan, Assumption College San Lorenzo in Makati, La Consolacion College Manila in Mendiola, St. Paul University Quezon City, and the College of the Holy Spirit Manila in Mendiola.