Philippine Science High School Main Campus

The Campus

The 7.5 hectare campus includes two main buildings, the Science and Humanities Building (SHB), and the Advanced Science and Technology Building (ASTB). Majority of the classes are held and majority of the faculty units, namely the Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Math, and Humanities Units, have their offices in the Science and Humanities Building. The Curriculum Instructions and Services Division (CISD) Office, Student Services Division (SSD) Office, and the school library are all located on the 2nd floor of the same building.

The Computer Science Unit and the Management Information System (MIS) are located in the Advanced Science and Technology Building. Classes in Computer Science I-IV, Technology Preparation, and Biology III are usually held in this building. Sophomore, junior, and senior electives such as Advanced Chemistry, Life Science, Problem-Based Physics, and Embedded Systems are likewise held in this building.

The campus also includes four dormitories: three for boys and one for girls. The boys' and girls' dormitories are subdivided in turn by class (one for first- and second-year students, one for third- and fourth-year students).

Recreational facilities on campus include a multipurpose gymnasium, supplying bowling lanes, pingpong tables, a dance room, and a swimming pool, a cafeteria, football field, track oval, and volleyball, tennis, and basketball courts.

Admissions

In order to be admitted to the PSHS System, a prospective student must pass the PSHS National Competitive Exam. The top 240 students of the exam are guaranteed slots in the Main Campus. In case a student doesn't want to enter the school, or wants to transfer to another campus, students from the waiting list are called up to be enrolled in the Main Campus in order to complete the 240 slots allotted by the system. They are then divided into 8 sections with 30 students or less in each section. After the first year of the batch, slots emptied by dismissed students or those who choose to transfer are then filled by new students who qualify via a placement exam given to students who belong to the top percentage of their batch in another school. Afterwards, the remaining students are the only ones left who can graduate at the Main Campus.

Students from the Main Campus may transfer to other campuses. Students from the regional campuses may apply for transfer to the Main Campus. However, they must meet a grade requirement. Students outside the Philippine Science High School System may also apply for transfer to the Main Campus. However, they must take a lateral exam and must meet a grade requirement.

Sections

The Main Campus has around 30 students in each class, with 8 classes per batch, in a total of about 240 students in each year level. The names of the sections in each year level are in accordance to a theme based on the major subject offered in that particular year level in the former 4-year curriculum. (Earth Science for Grade 7, Biology for Grade 8, Chemistry for Grade 9, and Physics for Grade 10.)

Streaming

Streaming to Technology and Science streams began on June 1995. Only 2 sections out of the 8 in each 'batch' were chosen to be in the Technology stream.

Prior to 2005, incoming freshmen batches were required to take a streaming exam to determine their mathematics and sciences aptitude. Those who had rather high scores were put into the so-called "Technology Stream" and had a set curriculum that includes drafting and technology research. The "Science Stream" had art and earth science classes in the first and second years and had more leeway in choosing their electives, which include English and Filipino journalism, microbiology, microprocessing, and visual communications.

Starting from Batch 2009, streaming was abolished. Instead of having 90 students taking technology electives during the second year, based on the student's first year performance and desired stream, every student has a fair chance of experiencing both the science and technology stream.

Curriculum

Students undergo through a curriculum which emphasizes the sciences and mathematics. During their first year, students stick to the core curriculum. However, during their second, third, and fourth years, students are free to choose one of the available electives while they also need to stick with their year's core curriculum.

Organizations

Students may join a variety of co-curricular organizations, such as AKSIS (Social Sciences Club), Concern and Action for the Rehabilitation of the Environment (CARE), Physics Youth Honours Society (PYHS), Mathematics Club, Astronomical Society (ASTROSOC), Invictus (Debate Club), SARS+ (Society for the Advancement of Research in Science and Technology), SAPAK (Samahan ng mga Peryodista, Artista at Kartunista ng Pisay) and the Atom Family (Chemistry Club).

Likewise, extra-curricular associations are present in PSHS. These include the Science Scholar and Lagablab (English and Filipino student publications, respectively); theater groups such as Sightlines and Kamalayan, and dance groups such as SAGALA (Sayaw Galaw); the Himig Agham Glee Club; and the Samahan ng Manunugtog sa Pisay (SAMAPI), which annually holds concerts during the School Fair; Bravura, the classical music club; Balamesa, the board games club; Exposure, the photography club; Alianti, the frisbee club, Labuyo, the boys’ soccer club; LAAB, the girls’ soccer club; Flux, the swim club; Silakbo, the girls' basketball club; Pallastro, the boys' basketball club; Kislap, the volleyball club; Kamao, the boxing club; Alyabo, the arnis club; and Volant, the badminton club.

Athletics

Contrary to the common perception that PSHS students are too preoccupied with studies to even engage in sports, a culture of athletic competition pervades the campus. The basketball and volleyball teams have had limited success owing to the lack of tall students entering the school, but have also produced athletes who have been successful at the college intramural levels. PSHS has also produced athletes in other sports (such as track and field, streetdance, and chess) who have participated in the collegiate athletic leagues such as the UAAP.

The school also holds intramural events for major sports, while the dormitories sponsor basketball leagues.

YMSAT and Humanities Week

The school holds a Youth Math Science and Technology (YMSAT) Week annually, typically during the 3rd or 4th week of January. During this week, special science projects are presented by various year levels not only to the whole Philippine Science High School community but to some visiting schools as well. Annual Interscholastic Competitions are held as well, while the fourth year students compete with each other in defending their year-long Science and Technology Research (STR) projects during the Research Fair.

Aside from the YMSAT Week, the school also annually holds Humanities Week in the month of August or September. During this week, students showcase their month-long rehearsed presentations for the annual Patimpalak sa Filipino. First year students showcase Kilos Awit, second year students present Sabayang Pagbigkas, third year students do non-conventional music, while fourth year students perform interpretative dances.

Notable alumni