1945 After liberation from the Japanese occupation, the city of Manila was a mass of ruin. Chinese schools were unable to reopen immediately. Ms. Yu Bun Pek and Mr. Wang Yu Min initiated the organization of a
tuition-free school. With the approval of Pastor Silas Wong, and under the leadership of Elder Keng Leng Kiat, the United Chinese Evangelical Church of the Philippines unanimously passed a resolution to establish the school.

1946 The school then named “Chia Nan” officially opened. Classes were held below the United Chinese Evangelical Church of the Philippines. Mrs Julia Tan became its first principal.

1947 On January 12, the Board of Trustees was officially established with Elder Yu Khe Thai as their chairman. 

1949 The first three-storey building of “CHIA NAN” was inaugurated.

1950 Mrs. Julia Tan resigned. In April, Miss Christina Wang was appointed as the new principal. High School program was added to the curriculum Miss Christina Wang and Dr. Tina Holkeboer went abroad for an evangelistic
campaign. Rev. Joseph Esther was appointed as the acting principal.

1952 Mr. Simon Ting and Miss Huang Bao Soan began the Chinese High School Department. “CHIA NAN” now has grown to offer complete English and Chinese High School curricula.

1953 “CHIA NAN” was renamed HOPE CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL. It used the property purchased by the Foundation. Mrs. Joseph Esther became the Head of the English Department after Dr. Tina Holkeboer’s retirement.

1955 The first batch of High School Senior Students “Anchor” of the English Department graduated. There were only 9 students.

1956 The Hope Christian Foundation purchased a lot that was later used as the site of the new church building. The first batch of Seniors of the Chinese Department graduated.

1958 The foundation decided that a playground be constructed at the site where the old church stood.

1960 Miss Christina Wang took a leave of absence to pursue further studies iin the United States. The School Board appointed Rev. Joseph Young and Mrs. Esther to be the acting principals of the Chinese and English Departments, respectively.

1963 The old church building was torn down paving the way for the construction of a new church building.

1965 In April, Miss Christina Wang became ill and underwent a major operation in May. Soon after, she left for Taiwan to continue her treatment. In her absence, the Administrative Committee headed by Rev. Joseph Esther took her administrative duties.

1966 On January 31, God finally summoned Miss Christina Wang home and the news shocked the Hope Family. Miss Wang served the school faithfully for sixteen years. The School Board appointed Mrs. Hwang Bao Yu as the principal.

1968 During the summer of this year, the high school building was remodeled and the elementary building was reconstructed.

1969 Mrs. Hwang Bao Yu expressed her desire to retire but was persuaded to stay for another school year. Miss Gregoria G. Beltran who was then the
vice-principal, was sent to the United States to study the latest trends in education.

1970 The School Board appointed Miss Gregoria G. Beltran to succeed Mrs. Hwang Bao Yu as the school principal. In August of this year, the School Board under the chairmanship of Chiong Phai Hun, together with the Foundation purchased another lot. The house standing on the lot owned by Elder Ty Han Eng, was remodeled to become classrooms for Kindergarten pupils. An indoor gymnasium was also constructed.

1976 With the growing population of the Kindergarten Department, the School Board purchased an adjacent lot.

1978 In August, construction of a new Kindergarten Building started.

1979 The new four-storey Kindergarten Building was completed and became ready for occupancy. The first three floors of the building housed the classrooms and offices of the Kindergarten Department. The fourth floor was an auditorium with a seating capacity of 1000.

1983 With the student population reaching more than three thousand, the School Board decided on another expansion in infrastructure. On April 19, the School Board with the Alumni Fellowship purchased another lot with a building adjacent to the elementary building.

1986 The existing residential house was remodeled to house the carpentry and cooking classrooms. The ground floor was converted into a canteen. Four (4) Quonset hut-type of classrooms were put up for the first graders.

1987 The School Board appointed Miss Encarnacion Beltran, Mrs. Chua Nay Sun Sy and Dr. Marian Shih as Assistant Principals for English Instruction, Chinese Instruction and Administrative Affairs, respectively. In April of this year, the High School Program was granted “Level II” – accredited status by the Association of Christian School and Colleges, Accrediting Agency Incorporated (ACSC-AAI).

1988 The construction of the six-storey Alumni Building started in August. The Kindergarten and Elementary Programs were granted “Level II” accredited status by the ASC-AAI.

1989 The Alumni Building was inaugurated in November during the Foundation Anniversary. This building housed Grades IV-VI classrooms, a large Home Economics Room, Music Room, Computer Laboratory, Speech and Science Laboratory and other offices.

1996 The school celebrated its 50th (Golden) Founding Anniversary with a year-long program of activities, culminating with a cultural presentation at the Cultural Center of the Philippines on November 2-3.

1997 Miss Gregoria G. Beltran after having faithfully served the school for more than 4 decades retired as principal. Miss Encarnation Go Beltran, Assistant for Academics since 1989, also retired. The Board of Trustees appointed Miss Wanda Po Liam Giok as principal to assume office starting school year

1997-1998 The Board also appointed Mr. Stewart A. Young and Mrs. Rosita Co Te as Assistant Principal for Academic Affairs for English and Chinese, respectively. Dr. Marian O. Shih continued to hold the position of Assistant Principal for Administration. Mrs. Rosa C. Shao was also invited to be the consultant of the Kindergarten Department. She introduced the learning corners. Air-conditioning of the auditorium was completed in summer of this year.

1998 Assessment of tuition fees was computerized. The offices were also provided with computers and internet access. Teachers were trained in the use of computers. Computers used by students in the laboratories were upgraded. Chinese computer lessons were offered to the senior students. To strengthen the bond with the United Evangelical Church of the Philippines (UECP), the church and school co-organized a Career Retreat for seniors – Experience ’98. This was a 3-day, 2-night event held at Crown Peak, Subic. About 40 professionals mostly UECP members served as counselors. In December of
this year, the Children Choir presented the musical, “The Ornament,” at the school auditorium.

1999 The graduating seniors, Batch Resplendence, staged a youth musical, “Friends Forever,” as a parting tribute to their parents, teachers, and friends. More Chinese computer classes were opened. Teachers were trained in the use of Microsoft Excel for computation of grades. The school’s web site was launched sometime in November in time for the school’s 53rd Foundation Anniversary.

2000 The Religious Department and UECP jointly organized a purely spiritual retreat, “CC2000,” for the graduating seniors. This was a 3-day, 2-night event held at the Caliraya Re-creation Center. Pastor Larry San Pedro was the speaker. The graduating seniors, Batch Valiance, staged a musical, “The Big Picture.” For a more conducive learning environment, the School Board undertook the air-conditioning of classrooms in the Kindergarten and Alumni Building during the summer. A Student Center named E-Center was put up in the lower chapel of the old church building. The center provides a wholesome alternative place for students to hang out after class. The E-Center is open to all high school students and provides the following services: tutorial, counseling, Bible studies, prayer support, recreational games, etc.

2001 The school signed a 3-year agreement with Genetic Computer Institute of Singapore to handle the computer instruction. The school’s computer labs were outfitted with brand-new computers. The first live-out seminar – team building Session – was held at the Christian Development Center in Tagaytay City with HRMD Consultant Mrs. Estrella Baello. The Visual Arts Program for the elementary students was launched.

2002 Reverend Stewart A. Young was appointed Principal. The school’s organization structure was revamped to accommodate the changes and challenges of the time. Mrs. Pacita S. Tan was appointed to serve as the Director of Academic Affairs, Mrs. Lilian C. Young, as the Director of Administrative Affairs, and Reverend Robert Alan C. Pada, as the Director of Student Affairs. The Visual Arts Program for the High School was launched. The English as Second Language (ESL) program was also launched with the help of Mrs. Rosemary S. Frondoso as consultant. The school offices and library had DSL Internet access. The Equitable Card Corporation donated a omputer Media Laboratory to the school.

2003 The Montessori Integrated Program was adopted for the Preschool Department with alumna Ms. Heidi Tenefrancia as consultant. A comprehensive Reading and Intervention Program was started for the Elementary Department. A new stage lighting system was added in the auditorium in time for the Renaissance (2003) Batch’s performance of a Christian teen musical entitled “Glow in the Dark.” A computer biometric timing device was introduced to keep track of the personnel’s attendance.

2004 The school’s Alumni and External Affairs Office was created under the Office of the Principal. The purpose of this office is to bridge the gap between the school and her alumni and the larger community. The school’s updated website www.hchs.edu.ph and a new website for Hope Alumni website www.hopealumni.org were launched. Another contract was signed with Genetic Computer Institute to provide IT instruction to the students. In preparation for the demolition of the high school building, the elementary building was renovated and installed with air-conditioning units to house the high school students. A covered area between the old elementary building and the alumni building was constructed to serve as an additional lunch space. The school was granted an official permit by the Bureau of Immigration to admit foreign students.

2005 The school became a member of the US-based Association of Christian Schools International. The old high school building was demolished over the summer to give way to the new high school building. A new enrollment system was set up wherein various schemes of payment were offered. Magnetic white boards were installed in all classrooms to replace the traditional chalkboards. All classrooms were prepared for computer-assisted instruction. A tie-up was made with Centro Escolar University to provide a continual education program for teachers and support services for special students and students with learning disabilities.

2006 The school celebrated her 60th Founding Anniversary with a year-long list of events including a school musical program called “Hope: Only Hope”, an Alumni Concert, Trade Fair and a Grand Alumni Homecoming. In preparation for the event, the school repainted all her existing buildings, and improved many of her facilities – including a major renovation of the school auditorium and the addition of an elevator in the preschool building. Other notable achievements include the accreditation and certification of the school’s Montessori Preschool Program from the US-based Montessori Institute of America. A tie-up with the Philippine Normal University’s Reading and Linguistics Department was instituted to enhance the school’s Reading Program.

2007 Stewart A. Young resigned after serving for 5 years as Principal. The School Board of Trustees appointed Mrs. Magdalena Go Uy, the chairwoman of the Board to be the Acting Principal. In April, the High School, Elementary and Preparatory Programs were granted Level 2 (5 years) re-accredited status by the Association of Christian Schools, Colleges and Universities Accrediting Agency Incorporated (ACSCU-AAI). The construction of the 8-storey building started in September. Our Hope Debaters, after winning a series of debates against other private schools in Metro Manila, made it to the championship match in Baguio City. The Hope Volleyball Varsity Team won championships in different tournaments in Manila, Quezon City and Bacolod City. Spiritual development was given top priority through the introduction of weekly
discipleship groups/Bible Study among all school personnel as well the inclusion of the “See You at the Pole” prayer activity for the students. The 61st School Foundation Day was observed with a meaningful theme, Rekindling the Fire of God’s Glory.” The Annual White Gift Drive continued to bring cheer to the school’s neighborhood. The English and Chinese Departments presented a Christmas program with the theme “Jubilant Heart,” in which studdents and parents participated.

2008 The school year started with a three day retreat for all personnel. Mrs. Joy Dy and Ms Grace Tan joined the school as Principal Consultant and Assistant Principal respectively. The ACSCU-AAI or the Association of Christian Schools, Colleges and Universities Accrediting Agency Incorporated granted the school with the highest level accreditation status, level 3, which made Hope Christian High School the first Christian school in Manila to be granted level 3 for both elementary and high school level. The school acquired the Genyo and Tell Me More Program of the Diwa Learning System, Incorporated and the Edutrends, respectively. Genyo is a fully integrated e-learning program where students go beyond the traditional classroom learning. Lessons, assignments and quizzes in Science, Math and other subject areas are delivered via the World Wide Web. The Tell Me More program is the first multimedia publisher in the world to apply speech recognition technology for foreign language learning. Students learn the proper way of speaking, listening and reading the English language. All elementary and high school students undergo an intensive reading program personally designed by Dr. Teresa Calderon, the world’s fastest reader. The program aims to develop students’ vocabulary, comprehension skills., literary appreciation skills, study skills and other various reading competencies. The Sakamoto Math Method was also integrated into the school program as well.