ACADEMICS
The demand of the world today is viewed with a lot of optimism now than a decade ago when the world was filled with anxiety. This is more particularly felt in service institutions. The world is looking at and expecting institutions of change to cope with the consequences of the phenomena of globalization, technological advancement, climate change and the fast-paced networking of information. In such scenario, no school can remain docile and lethargic. Schools must be on guard and in line with the transforming society. Curriculum changes must go hand in hand with Information Technology and dramatic changes in the students’ disposition, demands and expectations. To be able to deliver, schools must update and arm themselves with the latest issues, trends and researches in teaching and learning.
Recognizing these forces of change, ICA has re-appraised its system and has formulated its institutional plan to ensure a continuing process to address the needs of its students. Consequently, innovations have been instituted to allow effective changes to flow into the mainstream of the school community.
The ICAns who are of Chinese ancestry but with a rich Filipino background are being prepared for what is foreseen as their global mission in the future, bridging experiences from the Philippines to other Asian countries particularly China.
ICA recognizes that a compassionate environment is essential in developing the learners’ self knowledge and esteem. Interdisciplinary activities that promote collaborative skills are factors of students’ success.
The pedagogical innovations being adopted by the school intends to facilitate learning that is directed towards life-long benefits. ICA as a college preparatory school looks beyond and channels students’ energy and potentials to make them become responsible and independent learners and eventually productive and zealous members of the world community where God’s love reigns.
Significant emphasis is placed on the Math and Sciences; Communication Arts English, Chinese and Filipino; Technology and Livelihood Education. Equal importance is given to Makabayan subjects: Araling Panlipunan, Music, Health and Physical Education.
Values Education, an important aspect of character formation is made possible through Christian Life Education and Homeroom Guidance Programs.
CHRISTIAN LIFE EDUCATION
The Christian Life Education (CLE) refers to the education in faith through interdisciplinary, deliberate, systematic and sustained activities. Religious instructions are designed to assist students in going through the process of learning and living their faith life. CLE aims to lead the students to a more mature Christian view of human life and progress, grounded on a spirit of prayer and an ideal of service in keeping with the social principles of the Gospel.
The basic principles of the CLE Program are based on the Act of Divine Revelation which states that Man as an image of God is the object of God’s self-communication and loving action. The program emphasizes the three dimensions of Christian faith in its curriculum. These are:
• The CREED or DOCTRINE expressed in Christian beliefs, convictions and truths in the Catholic Church.
• The behavioral dimension or MORAL expressed in Christian conduct and living out of one’s convictions, witnessing and commitment.
• The spiritual dimension or WORSHIP expressed in concrete signs of what one believes and does. These are manifested in prayer, the celebration of the liturgy, sacraments and other symbolic expressions to show and deepen the Christian traditions, beliefs and values.
The CLE program implements course offerings which are relevant, realistic and responsive to the needs of the students and the nation.
COMMUNICATION ARTS ENGLISH
With the world having shrunk into a global village due to the unprecedented advancement in information technology, it has become necessary for Communication Arts English to provide the students with communication skills-building activities through its grammar and composition program to make them proficient in English, the basic language for communication.
The literary selections offered, not only acquaint the students with the great minds of the past and the present but also provide them with sufficient exposure to solid, tried and tested values of many generations of people which hopefully will make them women of faith and service who will work for the good of their fellow human beings, especially the poor and the marginalized members of society.
The program provides the students with opportunities to develops research skills that will make them discerning and autonomous users of information which is readily available through the internet.
Cooperative Learning Structures and Significant Human Experience (SHE) are used to address the Multiple Intelligences of the students, thus leading the students to become reflective, analytical, critical and creative thinkers.
COMMUNICATION ARTS FILIPINO
Ang araling Filipino bilang asignatura sa Mataas na Paaralan ay nagbibigay-diin sa komunikatibong paraan sa paggamit ng wika para sa pagkatuto ng mga mag-aaral sa iba’t ibang larangan tulad ng kasaysayan, sining, pulitika, ekonomiya at iba pa. Ang mga wastong pag-uugali at pagpapahalaga gayundin ang mga kasanayan sa panunuri at pakikipagtalastasan; pakikinig, pagbabasa, pagsusulat at pagsasalita, na naaayon sa sunud-sunod na antas ng pagkalinang ay nabubuo sa pamamagitan ng mga aralin sa Wika at Panitikan.
Sapagkat ang Filipino ay isa sa mga wikang ginagamit ng mga ICANs inaasahang ang kanilang pag-aaral nito ay magbubunga ng kanilang kasanayan sa pagiging mapanuri at malikhain sa paggamit ng wika. Sa tulong ng araling ito, at bilang pagtuon sa apat (4) na sangay ng Transformative Education (TEd)-- Justice and Peace, Political Education, Gender Sensitivity at Environmental Education-- malilinang ang mga “core values” na tulad ng katapatan, pagkamasunurin, pakikipagtulungan, pagkamaka-Diyos, pagkamagalang at pagkamakabansa. Dahil dito, aangat ang kamulatan ng mga mag-aaral sa mga pangyayaring nagaganap sa ating lipunan at mahuhubog ang kanilang pakikibahagi at pakikisangkot sa mga suliranin bilang isang responsableng mamamayan ng ating bansa.
MATHEMATICS
Mathematics is a subject that needs to be learned thoroughly and regarded not merely as the study of number systems, relations and processes but more as a discipline that affects order and harmony. ICA’s Math curriculum provides learning experiences that lead students to understand mathematical concepts, master mathematical processes and become creative problem solvers. Moreover, Math lessons engage the students in activities that allow them to better understand, interpret, communicate and relate mathematics in their daily lives.
SCIENCE
Each of the Science courses takes part in defining man’s role in the preservation and conservation of natural resources and in dealing responsibly with all the issues that come with it. It further seeks to inculcate in the students a sense of gratitude as well as a deeper sense of faith manifested through individual ownership of the responsibilities as stewards of God’s creations.
Laboratory experiments, Investigative Researches, Reading of Science Journals serve as tools for the students to better understand environmental and scientific issues and problems from different perspectives. Teaching strategies and choice of activities and evaluation techniques help in strengthening basic skills to reinforce higher order cognitive skills.
ARALING PANLIPUNAN
The curriculum in Araling Panlipunan in high school is focused on developing skills and values inherent in the disciplines of history and economics.
Through the study of History, the students will be better able to understand their own society as well as others. By understanding the relationship of past and present, students will be equipped to deal with problems that might arise in the future. Students will understand chronological thinking and connections between causes and effects and between continuity and change. History enables students to see how people in other times and places have dealt with the fundamental questions of truth, justice, and personal responsibility, to understand that ideas have real consequences, and to realize that events are shaped both by ideas and actions of individuals.
Integrated in the course on Philippine history is a brief summary of experiences of the Chinese Filipinos, from the time of migration to the present. The focus is on how the Chinese were eventually assimilated into Philippine culture. First year students work on a year-long project that allows them to explore their own family’s history as Chinese Filipinos.
The study of economics is geared towards understanding the basic economic principles that support the market economy and different economic systems. Through this, the students will learn how to make wise economic decisions about their own lives and become intelligent consumers, employers, and workers. A solid grounding in economics will help students prepare for the global marketplace and the complex world of the future.
TECHNOLOGY AND LIVELIHOOD EDUCATION
Computer Education is designed to primarily prepare the students for the demands of a world where Information Technology is constantly updated. Moreover, it aims to equip the students with the necessary skills needed to cope with the demands of the different disciplines in the academic field. With the computer proficiency students will acquire, independent studies, group researches and presentation of reports in other subject areas will be facilitated.
The Computer program for first year students is a whole year course on MS Visual Basic. Students learn the rudiments of programming and creating interactive applications. The Computer program for second year students is a one semester course on database management. Using office programs MS Excel and MS Access, students are expected to be able to create, design, handle, retrieve, maintain, and extract information efficiently.
Exercises, drills, and hands-on activities are given to the students for them to apply concepts learned.
Sewing provides the first year students with basic knowledge in sewing and the use of sewing machine. This course also aims to develop students’ self-confidence & aesthetic sense through basic concepts on proper care and choice of clothes.
Cooking for first year students covers basic food preparation, food presentation, and use of kitchen tools and equipment. At the end of the course, the students are expected to be able to prepare simple nutritious meals and to have developed orderly and safe work habits in the kitchen.
Baking is offered in second year high school and introduces the students to the fundamentals of Baking as a culinary art. Discussions on the history of baking, current baking industry practices, and basic baking equipment and tools are followed by actual, hands-on baking. The course ends with a Bake Sale where students go through the process of developing and marketing their own products. The Bake Sale challenges not only the students’ basic baking skills but also their entrepreneurial acumen.
Research is given in third year high school. Through this course, students learn basic research skills including writing scientific papers, using statistics to analyze data, critiquing other researches, and defending their own Investigative Research work. Students will be immersed in doing research geared towards the responsible utilization of resources and the preservation of the environment. Ultimately, the course aims to lead the students to realize the importance of research in man’s progress.
Bookkeeping is a course offered to the fourth year students that provides them with basic knowledge of accounting. Discussions on business accounting concepts and processes, coupled with bookkeeping exercises, aim to develop in the students critical problem solving skills leading to sound financial decision making. The course aims to make students learn the importance of precise and accurate data in business. More importantly, the course aims to lead the students to become business leaders and entrepreneurs with integrity and conscience.
MUSIC AND ARTS, PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND HEALTH (MAPEH)
The Music and Arts Program seeks to expose students to and develop appreciation for Philippine, Asian, and Western music. Students do not only acquire factual and theoretical knowledge but are also introduced to applications like singing, playing Filipino and Asian instruments, listening to recordings, and reading, writing and creating music.
Physical Education aims to make the students physically strong, well-poised, sound and efficient, mentally alert and active, and emotionally tempered and well-balanced. Each year level takes on a different fitness program such as sports, gymnastics, dancing, and martial arts.
Health Education is designed to keep students abreast with health concerns and issues. Lessons on Health Assessment, Proper Hygiene, First Aid, Drugs and Substance Abuse, Mental Health, Communicable and Non-communicable diseases, Alternative Medicine and Nutrition and Fitness all aim to lead the students to adopt a healthy lifestyle.
Citizenship Advancement Training is offered to fourth year high school students. The program aims to enhance students’ sense of responsibility and commitment to the development of their school community. Aside from engaging the students in lectures, discussions, and drills, the course leads the students to render assistance in different school activities and campaigns. By fostering the sense of service, the course aims to mould the students into servant leaders who value discipline, order, innovation, and initiative.
CHINESE LANGUAGE ARTS
中華文學與語言之編制目的是讓學生研習漢語普通話之技能,，並增進他們能欣賞中國固有優勢的文化。每週五節課，每節50分鐘講解的教材含有中國歷史，地理，風俗，習慣。學生們都授與朗讀，作文，日常常用便條，短訊，唱歌，每日常用交談的對話。書法不但是一種藝術也是一種品德的鍛鍊，最重要是中國固有的美德與價值觀都融洽在每日教材中。
The Chinese Language Arts and Communication program aims to hone the students’ communication skills in Mandarin and enhance their knowledge and appreciation of their cultural heritage. Students are engaged in discussions on Chinese history, literature, geography, and customs and traditions. They also engage in various activities such as oral reading, essay writing, singing Chinese songs, practicing basic conversation in Chinese, and learning the art and discipline of Chinese calligraphy. Moreover, traditional Chinese virtues/values that form much of this unique and rich culture are integrated in the daily lessons.
HOMEROOM GUIDANCE
Homeroom classes are designed to help students achieve greater self-awareness, self-understanding and self-acceptance with emphasis on interpersonal relationships and conflict resolution. These classes aim at the formation of values, attitudes, study habits, social graces, and leadership skills. Human sexuality and drug education are also emphasized. Career planning and decision making activities are also given to prepare the students for university life.
Activities such as journal writing, group sharing, class discussion, enrichment talks, role-playing, film showing and pen and paper exercises enhance the classroom experience. These sessions are facilitated by both year level counselors and the class advisers