Princeton Science School Student Handbook – Comprehensive Study Notes

Foreword

• Warm welcome from School Management, Faculty, and Staff.

  • Joining Princeton Science School (PSS) = joining an intellectually elite and values–oriented community (“Mind & Morals”).

  • Students urged to internalize handbook to stay on "the right path" toward holistic growth.

School Information

1. History (Chronological Highlights)

• $2005$: Opening of first campus (Lourdes Subd., Bolbok, Batangas City) with $26$ pre-elementary pupils & $2$ teachers. Focus: English–Math–Science.

• $2007$: Grade 1 added → enrollment surge → need for expansion.

• $2008$: New 3-storey, $12$-room building (labs, library, offices).

• $2009$: DepEd Government Recognition (Pre-Elementary). 1st contest entry ➔ Champion (Children’s Science Congress – Division → Regional).

• $2010$: Grade 4 opens; enrollment burst; 2nd campus (Sta. Rita Karsada) built—½ ha lot, 3-storey $24$-room bldg + gymnasium.

• $2011$: Back-to-back National Science Competition Champion; coach cited as CALABARZON’s Best Teacher. Added 3-storey building (cafeteria, H.E., digital room).

• $2012$: Elementary Government Recognition; pavement upgrades; prep for high-school launch.

• $2013$: High School Dept. opens under K-12 (pioneer $84$ Gr. 7). National champs in Science (Gr. 4 & 6) + Science Essay 3rd; student paper “The Scepter” debuts → Nat’l photo-journalism champion.

• $2014$: 3rd campus for HS; continued wins (Science, Math, Journalism). National Science Quest placers: $4^{th}$ & $5^{th}$; MTAP Regional bronze; Kinder champs (story-telling, ballroom).

• $2015$ (10th anniv.): 4-peat Kindergarten Festival of Talents champ; Elementary English journalism champ; The Scepter-HS reaches nationals; Science Quest wins; Regional Science & Tech Fair quiz bee wins; 1st STCAA stint (badminton reps).

• $2016$: 1st Grade 10 batch; MTAP dominance (Elem & HS); The Scepter wins (Copyreading – champ; Photojournalism – $5^{th}$ nat’l); Filipino paper “Ang Kalasag” founded.

• $2017$: 1st Grade 10 Moving-Up.

• $2018$ (12th yr): Champions across Math, Science, Journalism; The Scepter “Best School Paper” (Elem-Eng) division-level; teachers win RSPC adviser titles.

• $2019$: Math awards (MTAP); Journalism DSPC champs; steadfast commitment to excellence.

• $2020 – 2021$: COVID-19 pivot → Online Distance Learning; 1st Virtual Commencements (May $5$–$7$ $2021$).

• $2022$: Shift to blended learning; start of 17-room NKP/Gr1-2 building (Campus 3).

• $2023 – 2024$: Full face-to-face return; NKP building operational; comeback to contests – $30$ DSPC awards (15 RSPC slots). The Scepter $4^{th}$ Best School Paper (Elem-Eng); The Diadem $5^{th}$ (Sec-Eng). RSPC science/tech Top-10 → NSCP Mandaue slot. Chemistry Olympiad $4^{th}$ RU; Karibok ang Tuktok JHS Champion & Overall 1st RU; athletics haul; 1st entries & wins in Estadistika, Ateneo Chem Olympiad, Husay ng Soksay. Celebrated $18^{th}$ founding anniversary on-campus.

2. Philosophy

• Quality education today shapes future citizens.

• Education should be “unadulterated service,” not commercialism; financial returns are by-products of excellence.

3. Core Values (“Mind & Morals”)

• Integrity – do what’s right regardless of consequence.

• Humility – remain modest despite achievements; recognize God’s grace.

• Sacrifice – embrace hard work & endure life’s rigors; success earned, not handed.

4. Vision

• Produce graduates who are intellectually mature & socially responsible → strive to be a top-notch Philippine institution.

5. Mission

• Deliver highest-level instruction in English, Math, Science.

• Inculcate Integrity, Humility, Sacrifice.

6. School Seal (Symbolism)

• Dual stars = Mind & Morals.

• Circle + inner circle = head/brain (intellect) & body/heart (morals).

• Overlying star-cross: star = academic excellence; cross = spiritual sanctification.

• Manuscript = book (knowledge) + bible (faith).

General Guidelines & Policies

1. Admission Procedure (New & Transferees)

• Steps: Application → pay PSSAT fee → pass PSSAT + interview (Nursery exempt) → submit docs (Birth Cert, $2$ photos, Form $138$, Good Moral, SF-$10$) → pay assessed fees.

2. Transferee Policies

• Transfer Out: notify adviser → exit interview → settle accounts for credentials.

• Transfer In: follow new-student steps + present complete credentials.

3. Payment & Refund

• Modes: Cash (full), $2$, $3$, $4$, or Monthly (down + $9$ mos). No checks; no mode change.

• Reservation fee = non-refundable but deductible.

• Withdrawal refunds (cash payers only, tuition part): $100\%$ (≤1 wk) → $75\%$ (≤2 wks) → $50\%$ (≤3 wks) → $25\%$ (≤4 wks) → none after.

4. Examination Policies

• Summatives each quarter.

  • “No Permit, No Exam”, no promissory notes.

  • $30$-day grace for make-up; later = $\text{P}200$/subject.

• Quizzes can be unannounced; make-up needs excuse/medical cert.

5. Grading System

• Four quarters; average method.

• K-12 numeric scale per DepEd Order $8$ s. $2015$.

• Promotion: ≥ $75\%$ gen. avg.; failure in ≥ $3$ subjects = retention.

6. Honors & Recognition

• Grade 6 & Grades 7-10: Honor Selection Committee.

• No subject grade below $80\%$.

• Academic Excellence:

  • With Highest Honors $: 98!\text{–}!100\%$

  • High Honors $: 95!\text{–}!97\%$

  • Honors $: 90!\text{–}!94\%$

• Kinder 2 – Grade 5:

  • First Honors: Gen. Avg ≥ $92\%$, no grade < $89\%$.

  • Second Honors: Gen. Avg ≥ $89\%$, no grade < $86\%$.

7. Scholarship Programs

• PSS Academic Scholarship (covers Total Fees only):

  • Old students: Rank $1$ = $100\%$; Rank $2$ = $75\%$; Rank $3$–$5$ = $50\%$.

  • Incoming Grade 7 public-school Top $5$: must pass exam/interview/background; discount set by committee.

• ESC (FAPE) vouchers also available.

8. Progress Reports

• Report cards issued quarterly (≈ $3$ wks post-exam).

• Withheld if balances/unsubmitted docs.

• Parent presence & signature required; cards returned within 1 wk.

9. Re-Sectioning

• From Grade 4 up: ranked by previous year’s Gen. Avg.

• New transferee needs ≥ $90\%$ to enter cream section.

10. Uniform & Grooming

• IDs visible at all times.

• Detailed color/style requirements (see transcript); only authentic shades.

• Max. $3$ “Incomplete Uniform Excuse Slips”, $4^{th}$ violation = denial of class entry.

• Hair: boys – no long hair. Accessories, roller shoes, neon lights, etc. prohibited.

11. Attendance & Punctuality

• Early pick-up: parent fills Early-Dismissal Request.

• Absence ≤ $2$ days: excuse letter; ≥ $3$ days: medical certificate.

• $5$-min late = tardy; $≥2$ wks unexplained absence = drop.

• Lunch-out allowed only with written consent and good punctuality record.

12. Suspension of Classes (Weather)

• DepEd guidelines: Signal #1 → no Preschool; Signal #2 → no classes all levels.

• Parents may opt-out if safety concerns.

Code of Conduct

1. Campus Discipline

• Entire campus = English-Speaking Zone.

• Respect for all; zero tolerance for bullying.

• Proper decorum during flag ceremonies; no running/playing.

• Gadgets banned unless authorized.

• Off-campus misconduct or online actions that harm school’s reputation subject to discipline.

2. Classroom Behavior

• Cleanliness, order, and respect (greet visitors, listen, silence between classes).

• No vandalism; damages paid/replaced.

• Leaving class without permission = absent/cutting.

3. Care & Use of Facilities

• Follow "Clean As You Go"; queue in cafeteria.

• Labs: strict safety; liable for breakage.

• Library: silence; handle books carefully.

• Lockers: no food, contraband, or irrelevant items; subject to inspection.

• Switch alarms = emergency only.

4. Academic Dishonesty (Major Offense)

• Enumerated acts (crib notes, copying, gestures, possession of drafts, gadget misuse, answer alteration, etc.).

• Penalty: automatic $0$ on test + major-offense sanctions.

5. Parents & Visitors

• Must follow dress code (no shorts/sandos/slippers) & stay in waiting area.

• No item-delivery except emergencies.

• Gambling/unauthorized selling = banned.

• No smoking.

Offenses & Sanctions

• Minor Offenses (e.g., grooming, noise, littering, gadget possession):

  • 1st = verbal, 2nd = written, 3rd = parent conference, further = $1$–$5$-day suspension.

• Major Offenses (cheating, vandalism, violence, gambling, bullying, drugs, PDA, forgery, etc.):

  • 1st = parent conference, 2nd = $1$–$2$-day suspension, 3rd = $3$–$4$-day suspension, 4th = dismissal.

• Due Process rights upheld via adviser + Discipline Officer + Guidance Coordinator investigation.

Ethical / Philosophical Connections

• Alignment with DepEd policies (Orders $8/2015$ & $36/2015$).

• Mind & Morals model mirrors holistic education theories (cognitive + affective domains).

• Anti-commercialism stance parallels Dewey’s view of education as public good.

• Anti-bullying & digital-citizenship rules address modern cyber-ethical issues.

Real-World Relevance & Pandemic Adaptation

• Rapid pivot to Online & Blended Learning highlights resilience & tech integration.

• Investment in new buildings despite crises illustrates commitment to safe learning spaces.

Cultural Elements

• Pledge of Allegiance: contractual acceptance of rules; emphasizes accountability.

• Princeton Hymn: reinforces torch of wisdom, lifelong quest for excellence, & core values (Integrity, Humility, Sacrifice).

Key Numbers & Formulas (Quick Reference)

• Tuition Refund Schedule: $100\%$ (≤1 wk) → $75\%$ → $50\%$ → $25\%$ → $0\%$.

• Academic Honors: Highest ($98!–!100\%$), High ($95!–!97\%$), Honors ($90!–!94\%$).

• Scholarship Discounts: $100\%$ / $75\%$ / $50\%$.

• Suspension Signals: #1 (Pre-school only), #2 (all levels).

Study Tips

• Memorize core values & their definitions; expect reflective/essay questions.

• Review honor criteria & grading cut-offs for math-type items.

• Understand major vs. minor offense examples for scenario questions.

• Recall historic milestones (firsts, championships) to illustrate school pride.

• Practice summarizing School Seal symbolism—frequently asked in orientation quizzes.