School History

  Francisco Balagtas Elementary School was first opened in 1916 in a house at the corner of Antonio Rivera and Azcarraga and was formerly called Azcarraga Primary School.  A  Year later, the school was transferred to a house at the corner of Magdalena and Mayhaligue streets and was named Magdalena Primary School in 1935, the school became Magdalena Elementary School.

       In 1939, a new two-story semi-permanent building was constructed at Alvarez, Ipil and Quiricada Streets and was named Francisco Balagtas Elementary School in honor of the great Filipino poet. It was inaugurated on August 30, 1940.

 

     The lot occupied by the school is an entire rectangular lot. This building was used by the Japanese on January 2, 1942 and when North Manila was liberated, the Americans used it as their Headquarters from February to May 1945. It was also used as City Hall and Sta. Cruz Public Library.

    After liberation, due to the increase of enrollment, other building  have been constructed such as the 2-story Ipil building, a Home Economics building, the shop building, one story Quiricada building, the 2 Marcos Pre-Fab Type building and the Gymnasium, the Physical Education classes. The other buildings constructed were Havana I and II.

    These constructions have been made possible through the additional funds given by the city and national governments for the expansions of school buildings to accommodate the ever increasing enrollment.

     Francisco Balagtas Elementary School is in that part of Sta. Cruz, Manila which is bounded by Alvarez St., Quiricada St., Rizal Avenue and Ipil Street.

    It is located in Zone 33 covering seven barangays namely 327, 331, 334, 336, 338 and 339 all located in District III in a thickly populated area in Sta. Cruz.