The School of Excellence in Carigara

Trisha Therese A. Aguilar

Carigara is one of the oldest towns of Leyte, located along the shores of the beautiful Carigara
Bay. As an old town, it has many historical buildings. Among these is an old institutional office, the
Cassidy Central School old Building. It looks like an American Private residence ifrom the Southern USA
rather than a government institution. It stands as a monument of the American teachers volunteers-the
Thomasites, who initiated the universal free education more particularly in this part of the Philippines.

After the Spanish- American War in the Philippines, the American government of the country
including the education of the citizenry American Volunteer Teachers were shipped to Manila on board
the U.S.S. Thomas hence carried the sobriquet “Thomasites”. Among these teacher volunteers were Mr.
Thomas Cassidy with his wife Mrs. Metta Cassidy. Mr. Cassidy was assigned as the first supervising
teacher of Carigara. There were rapid increase in enrollment for Grade I to VI in 1904, which prompted
Mr. Cassidy to propose to the municipal council of Carigara for the construction of an additional school
building. The council agreed to his proposal and passed a resolution requesting the Director of Education
for funds to finance for the construction of a two-story building in Carigara with four rooms in each
floor.

Today, this institution is now called Cassidy Central School. Also known as “ The School of
Excellence in Cariagara” because it offers good quality education. It has yearly Philippine Science High
School qualifiers. Way back 2010 the teachers of the Cassidy Central School were given a free
educational trip by the governor’s office of the province of Leyte in Luzon as a reward for being one of
the schools who maintains high passing rate admission at the Philippine Science High School ,Palo,
Leyte.

In line with all the policies and implementations of the different programs of the Deped, the
school religiously follow and conducted any activity that the Deped has imposed. From the early
registration, Brigada Eskwela and all of the different competitions. And of course it always succeed and
more often win in every contest.

Being enrolled I this institution I’ve experience lots of unforgettable experiences and I’ve met a
lot of friends. I can say that it offers quality education to the learners because it produces competent
students that mostly excels in every competition within the district or outside the district competitions.

The teachers are really dedicated and very much resourceful just to impart their knowledge to
their learners and work beyond the time. Sometimes they are really strict but I know it’s for the best.
They are actually kind and very supportive once they get to know them well.

I won’t hesitate to campaign to everyone that if you have thoughts of what is the best school
would you like to enroll, then Cassidy Central School is the one you are looking for. So come one!

Cassidy Central School is a total package of what a school of excellence is.