Colegio Monterei de Pila Child Development Inc. started as the Community Children’s House in 1979. Edna Cambe Monreal, the founder of the school is a trained Montessori teacher at the Operation Brotherhood Montessori Center in Metro Manila. She is one of its pioneer teachers in 1968.

 

CCH opened with less than 30 children from the neighborhood, primarily at the preschool level. In 1990, because of increasing enrollment, a larger school was built along the National Highway in San Antonio, on the periphery of the town of Pila. The new site has a panoramic view of Mount Banahaw and the adjacent Mount Cristobal and Mount Caraballo. Hence they decided to call the new school Monterei, meaning king of the mountain or Royal Mountain. Colegio Monterei de Pila (CMP) became a non-stock corporation duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of the Philippines.

 

The school has grown from a small community day-care center into a full blown school with preschool to high school programs. From being a Montessori-inspired school, it has adapted another educational method – The Waldorf approach which is an experience-based and nature oriented education. The school compound has always been susceptible to learning. The open classrooms are surrounded by nature and greens. Trees, shrubs and flowers were planted to inspire the children and serve as their shade while learning. The playground is covered with green grass, the parking area was landscaped and a covered lane from the school gate to the building entrance was constructed for safety and convenience. A school farm “Granja Escuela” was also added in the school complex.

 

In 2004, the Child Development Center for Filipino Values Formation was launched in partnership with De la Salle University, Manila to enhance the teaching of values, arts and culture. Since CMP started, it conducts the “New Teacher” Formation Course regularly which aims to produce quality and values- oriented teachers to help the Child Development Center in the fulfillment of its programs.

 

On Oct. 23, 2014, Colegio Monterei de Pila became Colegio Monterei de Pila Child Development, Inc. The name was amended in order to highlight the school’s primary concern which is the molding, training and development of each individual child into becoming a better person.

 

Through the years, CMP honors the same commitment of good quality education, cultivating brilliance through guidance, learning and service.

 

2020 marks another milestone for CMPCD as the COVID-19 pandemic has suddenly forced everyone to deal with the new normal. While on home quarantine, all classes continued online. At the moment, CMPCD is preparing for the new protocols when classes resume soon.