Nestled in the heart of Canlubang, amidst the cool trees and the greenery of the golf course, is a school named, Sta. Cecilia Catholic School. It was built in1959 as an elementary school in honor of the late Doña Cecilia Araneta Yulo, the wife of the Founder of Sta. Cecilia Catholic School, Don Jose Yulo, Sr. The first pupils were the Yulo grandchildren together with some children of the employees of the Canlubang Sugar Estate and the C-Jose Yulo & Sons, Inc. C-J Yulo & Sons, Inc.)


It was in the same year, 1959, that the Salesian Sisters came to Canlubang and involved themselves in various apostolic works such as the youth centres and catechetical instructions on Sunday Oratory. The Salesian Sisters were given the task to run the school.


Last May 19, 1960, the Secretary of Education, Jose E. Romero granted the Government Recognition No. 175 s. 1960 Grade One of the Elementary Course Day effective June 13, 1960. The Government Recognition No. 8 s. 1961 was granted for Grade Two of the Primary Course effective June 12, 1961. Government Recognition No. 3 s. 1962 was granted by Alejandro R. Roces, Secretary of Education, for Grade Three of the Elementary Course Day last April 17, 1962 with the effective date of June 11, 1962.  For Grade Four of the Elementary Course Day, Government Recognition No. 122 s. 1963 was given on the 28th day of May 1963, effective July 1, 1963.  On May 13, 1964, Government Recognition No. 3 s. 1964 was issued for the Grade Five of the Elementary Course Day, effective August 3, 1964 last May 13, 1964. The Government Recognition No. 381 s. 1965 for Grade Six of the Elementary Course Day was granted be Pedro Pascasio, Undersecretary of Education last September 2, 1965 but was effective already on July 19, 1965.


The High School department started as Rizal Institute Girls' Department in its present building during the school year 1964 - 1965. On July 1965, it was given a temporary permit to operate as the High School Department of Sta. Cecilia Catholic School.  Then on July 11, 1966, it was given recognition to operate as a secondary school offering a Complete Secondary Course (Day) under 2-2 plan with Government Recognition No.182 s. 1996.


 The school was then owned and operated by the Canlubang Sugar Estate to provide quality education at a minimal cost for the dependents of its employees.  They were charged eighty pesos (Php 80.00) annually including books and for this season were exempted from incorporation under the provisions of Act No. 1459 on April 21, 1961 by Honorable Jose F. Romero, the Secretary of Education.  The administration of the Sta. Cecilia Catholic School accepts boys and girls pupils for the elementary while the high school department for girls only.