Tarlac National High School: Historic Institution

Tarlac National High School (TNHS) stands as a pillar of secondary education in the Philippines. This historic landmark sits in the heart of Tarlac City. It is one of the oldest public high schools in the country. It also holds the title of the largest and most populated high school in Tarlac Province.

Rich History of Tarlac National High School

American Thomasites established the school on September 2, 1902. They initially named it Tarlac Provincial High School. Frank Russell White served as its first principal. He helped lay the foundation for a formidable academic powerhouse. The Department of Education officially elevated it to a national high school on June 24, 1983.

The school celebrated its grand 120th anniversary in 2022. Officials resolved to recognize this historic institution as a national historical site in 2017. This honors its long-standing legacy and enduring impact on Philippine education.

Tarlac National High School Campuses and Programs

The school accommodates a massive student population of over 7,000 learners. It operates across two main campuses in Tarlac City. The main campus sits along Macabulos Drive in San Roque. An annex campus, Jose V. Yap National High School, operates along MacArthur Highway in San Miguel.

Educators highly regard this institution for its commitment to holistic development. They offer a variety of specialized curricular programs to hone student talents:

  • Science, Technology, and Engineering (STE) and Special Science Class (SSC) for advanced academics.
  • Special Program in Foreign Language (SPFL), focusing heavily on Japanese.
  • Special Program in the Arts (SPA) for creatively inclined students.
  • Special Program in Sports (SPS) for aspiring athletes.

Notable Alumni of Tarlac National High School

Over its century-long existence, this premier institution has produced many influential figures. These individuals shaped Philippine history, politics, and arts. Some of its most glorious alumni include:

  • Carlos P. Romulo: A legendary diplomat, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, and National Artist in Literature.
  • Jose Roy Moncada: The very first senator to hail from Tarlac.
  • Onofre Corpuz: Renowned economist, historian, former Education Secretary, and UP President.
  • Jorge Bocobo: Principal author of the Civil Code of the Philippines.
  • Lor Calma: A world-renowned Filipino architect and sculptor.

For more than a century, educators here have nurtured intellectually competent and socially responsible Filipinos. They continue to cement its legacy as the premier high school of the province.

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