THE DIVISION OF CITY SCHOOLS OF CABANATUAN through the leadership of the late Cabanatuan City Mayor Honorato C. Perez, Sr. and during the stint of the then Superintendent, Dr. Ester C. Baylon founded the Cabanatuan City Science High School on April 19, 1985 by virtue of MECSRO Permit 06, s. 1985, which was approved by MECSRO III Director Pura Tumada-Liban. Mayor Perez and with his son, Atty. Angelo Perez were both influential on establishing a brand of Science High School that would cater to the poor but deserving and intellectually promising Cabanatueños. To honor the prime advocate on founding this school, Cabanatuan City Science High School was later renamed into Honorato C. Perez, Sr. Memorial Science High School by virtue of Sangguniang Panlungsod Ordinance No. 96-002, s. 1996 dated February 2, 1996.

    Seated on the bustling street of Mabini, and on the 6,298 square meter-lot donated by Rev. Fr. Gregorio Crisostomo, a generous Filipino-Spanish friar and philantropist during the American occupation, Honorato C. Perez, Sr. Memorial Science High School began to emerge as a vibrant academic institution, being the first of its kind in Cabanatuan City.

    To perpetuate its existence as a leading academic institution in the Province and in Region III, the school has effectively introduced an astringent screening process of selecting its students. The curriculum of the school is primarily designed to prepare its students for higher studies in the various fields of Science.

    From its humble beginning in 1985 with just enough classrooms to accomodate the first 210 Freshman students, Cabanatuan City Science High School steadily inched its way toward Division, Provincial, Regional, and even National recognitions through the able stewardship of efficient administrators.

    Now, Honorato C. Perez, Sr. Memorial Science High School through the efforts of dedicated teachers who are imbued with the principles and ideas of modern teaching will continue to improve itself in order to serve the YOUTH: the country’s future leaders and professionals. They are, after all, the Hope of our Motherland.

    

Size of the School

            Categorized as a large school with a current population of 1416, the combined total of junior high school and senior high school enrollees, and a faculty composed of 61 teachers, three head teachers and four utility workers, HCPSMSHS continues to modify and improve its programs as the need arises, keeping up with the challenges that the present and future will require.

 On Curriculum Offerings

            True to being a center for excellence, HCPSMSHS continues to venture into other curriculum offerings. Already renowned for the accomplished students produced by its default Science and Technology Curriculum, the school expanded its reach in its aim to deliver the best in more avenues.  Among the pioneer schools to teach Spanish as a Foreign language, HCPSMSHS earned the distinction for being among the centers of excellence in the country for Special Program in Foreign Language, with distinguished faculty members serving in different capacities as resource persons for both regional and national training programs as well as in areas requiring their expertise as curriculum validators. In the program’s continued expansion several faculty members continue to undergo training in teaching Spanish.

            As a most anticipated addition, the Special Program in Journalism welcomed its first batch of 70 enrollees composing two sections for school year 2022-2023. This allowed students to have another option for their elective aside from Spanish, giving them a new venue to explore their skills and interests. As found in the initial survey for the new program, majority of students who expressed interest did not have prior formal training in journalism, hence justifying the implementation of the program. Already a strong force in campus journalism through Envirex, its school publication, HCPSMSHS showcases the active involvement of its students in social issues. The publication also has a strong social media presence, making journalism more appealing to students. This made the daunting task of truth reporting interesting and possible. The implementation of SPJ is expected to provide a more intensive guidance and instruction, in effect producing students who are not only knowledgeable in academics but more importantly, students who are socially aware and responsible, informed and empowered, and in return have them give back to society what they have learned.

            For the Senior High School Department, HCPSMSHS offers Academic Track with Accountancy, Business and Management (ABM) and Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) strands.

            HCPSMSHS is fully committed to continuing this culture of excellence by providing the best means possible to nurture and bring out only the best from its learners.

On Location and Catchment Area

            Being a legislated Science High School, HCPSMSHS has established a reputation that reaches far beyond the confines of Cabanatuan City. The only Science High School in the province, it has earned much renown that attracts the best of the best students from all over Nueva Ecija. Every year during its rigid admission process, many students from our feeder communities—not only barangays within Cabanatuan but also those from neighboring municipalities, take their chance to earn a slot, with a significant number coming from as far as neighboring provinces like Aurora. Truly, it has gained an enviable and prestigious distinction that its students take pride in.

            Of the school’s population, there is a significant percentage of students who are non-residents of Cabanatuan City. Out of 1380 students, 328 or 23.77% are living in neighboring municipalities within Nueva Ecija.

            Diversity may be considered as an advantage in attending a school at the heart of the city. For one, learners can have an opportunity to be exposed and interact with classmates coming from different backgrounds. Although the rigid selection process they undergo prior to admission ensures that all learners of HCPSMSHS have high literacy rate, there are many things that they can learn by being with people of different backgrounds. An environment that encourages healthy competition and supports learner’s independent learning, the school values emotional wellness as much as it does academic excellence.

On Environment and Socio-Economic Condition

            It is said that the location of the school that students are attending influences their learning experiences, as it determines resources, recreation as well as opportunities available to them. It influences the culture and overall vibe surrounding the students in many ways.

            HCPSMSHS has ease of access for most services. Flanked with both commercial and government establishments, it only takes several minutes of travel from the school to reach these offices. A tricycle ride that takes five minutes or less can already bring one to the Schools Division Office of Cabanatuan City as well as to other major establishments. Banking, lending and other financial institutions, retail businesses, food and beverage as well as computer shops abound within the school’s immediate community.               

On the School’s Immediate Community

            Situated in a prime location, HCPSMSHS is surrounded by neighboring barangays with an array of features. Mabini Extension itself is home to many establishments that show the daily hustle of the city residents, including the presence of a private university and hospital which gave opportunities for many businesses like commercial and residential spaces for rent. Magsaysay Sur has its own share of apartment buildings and shops. Quezon District is home to a public hospital and a state university, as well as other commercial establishments like convenience stores, coffee shops and restaurants.              

            The quick and busy life of the city proper gives the school a privilege with minor drawbacks, so to speak, since the school faces a disadvantage due to heavy traffic along Mabini St. Extension especially during the morning and late afternoon rush. During monsoon season, HCPSMSHS is not spared from occasional incidences of flooding, as it is situated within a flood-prone location. Otherwise, the school can take pride in a productive, busy yet peaceful and safe immediate community.

On linkages

            One of the most valuable assets of the school is its partnership with stakeholders as well as established linkages with private sectors. A mutual relationship that centers on the common goal of providing only the best to the learners, these partnerships enable the school to further improve its services.

            The support that the school can get from the parents and community leaders bears a significant impact on the performance of the school as a whole. Building partnerships with stakeholders produces positive outputs in maintaining good and highly favorable school image. For that HCPSMSHS is truly fortunate to have a group of stakeholders who always lends their help on the school’s worthy advocacies.

            HCPSMSHS acknowledges its stakeholders who are always generous in extending their time and effort in the school’s many endeavors: the parents, alumni, socio-civic organizations, private individuals and companies, academic institutions, government institutions and NGOs.