The Parents for Education Foundation, Inc. or PAREF, was incorporated in 1976 by a group of parents to address a common concern to give their students complete human, professional, cultural, spiritual and physical formation in an atmosphere of freedom and responsibility. They were convinced that parents are the first educators of their children and have the primary responsibility in this task. Thus they formed themselves into a foundation whose objective is to provide parents with the means to promote and guarantee the integral education and proper upbringing of their children. PAREF establishes and promotes schools whose aim is to provide a balanced education by combining high academic standards with a special emphasis on the integration of academic and personal development of students. The first PAREF school for girls, Woodrose, was established in 1977 and was followed two years later by the Southridge School for Boys, both in the Alabang-Muntinlupa area. They have a full program from Grades 1 to 4th Year. Since that time several schools from preparatory level to high school have been inaugurated in the Metro Manila area and in the provinces. Outreach programs are an integral part of the program of all PAREF schools. Some specific schools have programs for the underprivileged. They are a five year night school program in Southridge, an Adult Education program in Woodrose, and a Saturday Free Pre-School program in Ridgefield. Parental collaboration, a must in the PAREF philosophy of education, is implemented through a series of periodic chats, of a tutor or confidante with the student, and also with his parents. Through these personal conversations, tutor and parents collaborate in the overall development of the child's growth and they assure greater harmony between the home and the school. To safeguard and promote the unity of the family and coherence in the educational thrust, courses on parenting and personal development are also offered for parents and teachers. Thus the educational program of the PAREF schools aims at the total integral development of the person through the practice of human and spiritual virtues. It provides intellectual and cultural formation through academic offerings, physical development through athletics and sports, social and human development through the practice of human virtues such as truthfulness, loyalty and concern for others. Spiritual formation is provided through religion classes and opportunities for practice in daily life.
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