Ateneo de Manila Grade School welcomes girls in Kindergarten, Grade 1

A HERstoric moment!

After nearly 165 years, Ateneo de Manila Grade School (AGS) welcomed girls in Kindergarten and Grade 1 on Thursday, August 1.

In a social media post, the AGS announced the good news alongside a video showing female students joining the class.

According to them, 200 girls, which comprises 72 Kinder and 128 Grade 1 students, were officially enrolled in AGS for the School Year 2024-2025.

"History was made today, August 1, as Ateneo de Manila Grade School welcomed girls in Kindergarten and Grade 1 for the first time in our school’s nearly 165-year history," the caption read.

The students were welcomed by administrators and teachers wearing colorful costumes and headdresses alongside the AGS library mascot, Bibo.

Co-Education System

This academic milestone was part of the full implementation of the co-ed system in its basic education schools, which will be completed by 2030.

The implementation plan includes a preparatory year beginning last school year. 

Likewise, as per the memorandum released last February 2023, Full Co-Education was conducted to fulfill the goal of the Lux-in-Domino Strategic Plan. The said plan targets the "growth in the university’s student population to increase access to and impact of the Ateneo de Manila education" as well as "to increase student diversity by granting female students access to the Ateneo de Manila basic education schools."

The Manila campus first accepted female students in 2016, during the first batch of the K to 12 program.

ADMU, then Escuela Municipal de Manila, was founded as an exclusive school for boys in 1859 during the Spanish occupation. At the time, the church and government wanted women to stay at home only, deeming them unfit for education.