The Ateneo de Zamboanga University has grown over the years in competence and size. With this came the realization that it has also assumed a special position of responsibility in a manner marked by Excellence, Spirit and Service.

The Ateneo de Zamboanga University began in 1912 as Escuela Catolica, a parochial school run by Spanish Jesuits at the old site of the Immaculate Conception Church right across the Sunken Garden. Fr. Manuel M. Sauras, S.J. was the first director.

In 1916, the Escuela Catolica became the Ateneo de Zamboanga. In 1930, the American Jesuits took over the Spanish Jesuits with Fr. Thomas J. Murray, S.J. as the first American director. Classes were held at the 3rd Floor of the Knights of Columbus building, now the site of City Theater. The first high school students graduated from Ateneo in 1932.

The school was closed during World War II. It was used by the Japanese as a public school until it was shelled and bombed by American forces on March 8 and 9 in 1945, prior to the liberation of the City.

The high school reopened in 1946, with a nipa-sawali building on a new site outside the poblacion called the Jardin de Chino near Camino Nuevo, now called La Purisima Street. It was providential that shortly before the outbreak of the war, Fr. Eusebio G. Salvador, S.J. had bought 18 adjoining lots in that section.

In 1948, the school was officially recognized as a Jesuit school apart from the parish. The post liberation years were a period of rapid physical, curricular, and enrollment expansion of the school.

In 1979, the existing high school building was constructed. This was done through the help of COCOFED.

To date, the Ateneo de Zamboanga, declared a university in August 20, 2001 by the Commission on Higher Education, is expanding to a new site. This is part of a 15-year development plan that includes the construction of other buildings and facilities for basic education in a 8.3 hectare property in Tumaga, Zamboanga City.

The High School Building is now rising on the site. By June 2006, the university opens this new campus to its old and new high school students. With this development, Ateneo continues to be an instrument in bringing the best learning environment and high quality education to the people of Zamboanga City and the entire region. This move resonates with Ateneo’s thrust to continuously offer academic excellence, better service to the community and highly motivated spirit in effecting change in the City, the region, and the country.
ATENEO DE ZAMBOANGA UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL | 2005 | Tumaga | Zamboanga City | Philippines