On February 8 , 2021 , La Salle Green Hills ( LSGH ) announced that it has officially decided to go completely co-educational in all grade levels for next school year through a circular released on the school ’ s official learning platform , Ranger 360 .
The institution said that “ the classroom structure for LSGH beginning SY 2021- 2022 shall now be co-educational in all levels .” A key factor behind making this decision was to have LSGH follow in the footsteps of the other Lasallian schools in the country in an effort to become a more inclusive school .
“ The main reason is for the general formation and education of the boys . They ’ ll have to deal with the opposite sex . They ’ ll also have to compete in terms of academics . But it [ is ] also partly economic . Our enrollment has been declining for the last 10 years — not only us , but all private schools have seen [ a ] decline in enrollment . The Board felt and thought that this was the opportune time to do this to open the school to senior high school .” LSGH School President Br . Edmundo “ Dodo ” L . Fernandez FSC has stated back in 2020 .
Aside from that , Br . Dodo also noted that the shift to a co-educational system would benefit the holistic formation of the male LSGH students saying that “ If you put girls in an allboys school , the behavior of the boys will tend toward being more gentle [ and ] gentlemanly .”
Before the decision to shift to a co-educational system , LSGH was the sole La Salle school in the country to be exclusive to boys .
“ There ’ s a part of me who is like a regular alumnus who didn ’ t want it . So , it wasn ’ t an easy decision for me . But , in the end , with all things considered , I think it is what ’ s best ,” he said .
LSGH alumni have also been vocal about their thoughts and opinions regarding this transition . Batch 2015 alumnus Angelo Gonzalez said that “ We learned that LSGH was essentially the only all-boys La Salle school in the Philippines . And they said it in the assembly with so much pride , like we were special … I didn ’ t really think about it much until they announced LSGH was going coed .”
“ We realized that the LSGH we experienced will not be the same LSGH our future kids will experience . But while there are a number of us who see it as an end of an era — the LSGH identity will no longer be the same ; I see it as a new chapter for the school — where my alma mater is more inclusive , diverse , and open in its mission to form Christian ladies and gentlemen ,” Gonzalez added .
Despite the myriad of opinions within and outside the LSGH community , LSGH has been preparing for this transition by making the necessary adjustments in the school facilities .
School Principal Br . Alexander “ Alex ” Ervin T . Diaz FSC had this to say about the changes the school will go through “ Co-curricular activities will be more varied , classroom learning behaviors will be enhanced , a new school culture will emerge with an improved mixed-gender perspective and an overall strengthening to the already solid foundation that is uniquely LSGH .”
“ At the turn of this new decade , faced with challenging educational demands and outcomes , LSGH is focused on continuing to provide excellent Lasallian education that is inclusive and innovative and the formation of a diverse community that is adaptable and ready for life ,” Br . Alex stated .
LSGH SHIFTS TO CO- ED
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