PAREF Schools
| PAREF Schools | |
|---|---|
| Cedar Mansion II, Pasig, Metro Manila Philippines | |
| Information | |
| Type | Educational foundation |
| Religious affiliation | Catholic Church (Opus Dei) |
| Established | 1976 |
| Founders | Dionisio Buencamino Manuel Cardenas Maria Teresa Guerrero Miguel Guerrero Maria Luisa Lorenzo Hermilando Mandanas Corazon Mapa Placido Mapa Jr. |
| Gender | Male or female |
| Campus | 8 main schools, 9 pre-schools |
| Organization | Parents for Education Foundation, Inc. |
| Website | paref.edu.ph |
Parents for Education Foundation, Inc. (PAREF) is an educational foundation established by parents that administers schools for basic education in the Philippines, collectively known as PAREF Schools. It owns several single-sex Catholic schools that are closely affiliated with Opus Dei.[1][2]
History
Parents who derives inspiration from the teachings of Catholic saint Josemaría Escrivá organized themselves in 1976 as the Parents for Education Foundation, Inc. (PAREF). They believe in an "integral education" for their children that puts parents role first, and teachers role second.[3] The founders states that PAREF is a response to what they believe as "confusion" on Catholic teachings arising from the Second Vatican Council and the sexual revolution in the Western world which followed it. The parents-founders would pattern their system to the Fomento schools system in Spain.[4]
It established its first school in 1976 - Woodrose School, a girls' school for up to fifth grade in New Manila, Quezon City. It later moved its campus to Ayala Alabang Village.[3]
In 1979, Southridge School for boys up to seventh grade was established at the Hillsborough Subdivision in Muntinlupa.[3] It initially was housed inside a incomplete two-storey building.[5] Collectively Woodrose and Southridge began to be referred to as the PAREF Tandem Schools.[3]
Kindergarten was introduced to the school system's program with the establishment of Rosemont and Ridgefield School in 1986 and 1990 respectively. The two schools are referred to as "Alabang Preparatory Schools" as they serve as feeders to Southridge and Woodrose. The PAREF Schools system continued to grow to consist of seventeen schools.[3]
Sports
The PAREF Southridge School has been participating at the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) as a guest team. Their participation was first announced in November 2024. They debuted at the Season 87 in 2025 finishing as semifinalists in the boys' football tournament. They later also participated in athletics, swimming, baseball, tennis, and fencing.[6] The Admirals in the baseball tournament won the boys' title in Season 88 in 2026 becoming the first guest team to win a UAAP title.[7]
Member schools
PAREF presently has 8 "big schools" and 9 pre-schools.[8]
| Name | Location | Gender | Established | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southridge | Muntinlupa, Metro Manila | Boys | 1979 | [3] | |
| Northfield | Antipolo, Rizal | Boys | 1995 | [3] | |
| Woodrose | Muntinlupa, Metro Manila | Girls | 1976 | [3] | |
| Rosehill | Antipolo, Rizal | Girls | 1990 | Formerly located in Quezon City, moved to current site in 1993. | [3][9] |
| Westbridge | Iloilo City | Boys | 1992 | [10] | |
| Springdale | Cebu City | Boys | 1996 | [11] | |
| Southcrest | Cebu City | Girls | 1995 | [12] | |
| Ridgefield Iloilo | Iloilo City | Girls | [8] |
References
- Back to citation Villegas, Bernardo (November 26, 2020). "School for girls in Antipolo". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
- Back to citation "The PAREF legacy: Proactive education for a lifetime". Opus Dei. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
- Back to citation occurrence 3.0 Back to citation occurrence 3.1 Back to citation occurrence 3.2 Back to citation occurrence 3.3 Back to citation occurrence 3.4 Back to citation occurrence 3.5 Back to citation occurrence 3.6 Back to citation occurrence 3.7 Back to citation occurrence 3.8 "History". Parents for Education Foundation, Inc. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- Back to citation "Founders". PAREF. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
- Back to citation Rachel C. Barawid (March 18, 2009). "How a 'Renaissance Man' is made". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on March 22, 2009. Retrieved April 5, 2012.
- Back to citation Li, Matthew (March 6, 2026). "For Southridge, UAAP participation is about community first, title second". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
- Back to citation Valderrama, Aeron Paul (February 23, 2026). "Southridge Boys Baseball makes history as first guest team to claim UAAP crown". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
- Back to citation occurrence 8.0 Back to citation occurrence 8.1 "School Finder". PAREF. Retrieved July 25, 2026.
- Back to citation "Paref Rosehill School perpetuating generosity". Business Mirror. February 14, 2021. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
- Back to citation "Remote Learning Program" (PDF). PAREF Westbridge. June 14, 2021. p. 4. Retrieved July 25, 2026.
- Back to citation "History". PAREF Springdale. Retrieved July 25, 2026.
- Back to citation "History and Vision". PAREF Southcrest. Retrieved July 25, 2026.