DYCI: 2012 Most Transformative School

Summary

Dr. Yanga's Colleges, Inc. (DYCI), once known as a 'school of last resort' with a dwindling student population, underwent a remarkable transformation under the leadership of School Director and Principal Mr. Michael Yanga. By focusing on values like god-centeredness and commitment to excellence, and integrating innovative programs such as Lego robotics into the curriculum, DYCI not only improved its reputation but also the quality of its graduates. The school's robotics team achieved international recognition, leading to DYCI becoming the first Robotics Excellence Center in Bulacan. This, along with a year-round English speaking campaign, significantly enhanced the students' skills in various subjects. The school's success story serves as an inspiration, proving that with the right values and innovative approaches, even the most challenged institutions can achieve greatness.

Takeaways

• 🏫 Dr. Yanga's Colleges, Inc. (DYCI) was once known as a 'school of last resort' with a reputation for poor student behavior and low academic performance.
• 🔄 The school underwent a significant transformation under the leadership of Mr. Michael Yanga, who became the school director and principal, aiming to harness students' innate skills and improve their character.
• 🏅 DYCI introduced robotics education, which not only addressed the issue of frequent student absences due to interest in computers but also led to the school's participation in and winning of several world robotics competitions.
• 🌟 The school's robotics team's success earned DYCI the title of the first Robotics Excellence Center in the province of Bulacan.
• 📚 The curriculum at DYCI was adapted to use robotics to develop skills in various subjects, including mathematics, science, technology, and even English, to improve students' presentation skills.
• 🗣️ An English speaking campaign was implemented to help students overcome difficulties in expressing themselves in English, which was crucial for presenting their robots.
• 🏆 The school's values and attitudes, with a focus on 'god-centeredness' and commitment to excellence, set it apart and contributed to its success.
• 🙏 The term 'god-centered' was used to include students of all religious backgrounds, fostering a sense of unity and spiritual engagement.
• 🏆 DYCI's success led to it becoming the largest private school in Bulacan, with 2,250 students, living by the motto 'More than a school, a family'.
• 🎉 The school was awarded for its transformative educational approach, receiving recognition and a substantial monetary prize, which was seen as a victory for the students, teachers, and the community.

Q & A

What was the initial reputation of Dr. Yanga's Colleges, Incorporated (DYCI)?

Initially, DYCI was known as a 'school of last resort' and was referred to as a 'recycle bin for repeaters and kickouts' with a poor reputation and low student population.

What significant change did Mr. Michael Yanga bring to DYCI upon his appointment?

Mr. Michael Yanga, the newly appointed school director and principal, began improvements on school administration, emphasizing values of god-centeredness and commitment to excellence, which led to a total turnaround in the school's reputation and quality of graduates.

How did DYCI address the issue of frequent student absences?

Upon discovering that students were often in computer shops, Mr. Yanga redirected their interest in computers towards education by introducing Lego robotics into the curriculum, which also helped to reduce absences.

What achievements did the DYCI robotics team accomplish?

The DYCI robotics team brought prestige and pride to the country by earning numerous awards in three separate World Robotics Olympiads, leading DYCI to become the first robotics excellence center in the province of Bulacan.

How did robotics education at DYCI influence other subjects?

Robotics was used to develop skills in various subjects like mathematics, science, technology, and even English, with teachers integrating robotics into their lessons to enhance learning.

What was the impact of the English speaking campaign on DYCI students?

The year-round English speaking campaign, along with awards recognitions and a TV broadcasting project, encouraged students to improve their English skills, which was crucial for presenting their robots effectively.

What values did DYCI instill in its students that set them apart?

DYCI emphasized values and attitudes, teaching that a successful person's inner being, driven by a desire to serve god, is more important than physical attributes, mental capacity, or social standing.

Why did DYCI choose to use the term 'god-centered' in its spiritual activities?

DYCI used the term 'god-centered' to be inclusive of all students, regardless of their religious background, so that everyone could relate to and engage in the spiritual activities conducted by the school.

How did the transformation of DYCI impact its student population?

The transformation turned DYCI from a school with a dwindling population to the largest private school in Bulacan, with 2,250 students, living by the motto 'More than a school, a family.'

What was the significance of the award received by DYCI?

The award recognized DYCI as a transformative school for learning effectiveness and school efficiency, highlighting its achievements and serving as an inspiration to other schools.

What was the role of the 'god-centered' formation program in DYCI's success?

The 'god-centered' formation program was central to DYCI's success, as it focused on implanting and nurturing values and character in students, which led to their achievements in various areas, including robotics.