Jose B. Cardenas Memorial High School

Jose B. Cardenas Memorial High School-Main is a public secondary educational institution located in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, Philippines. Originally established as Canlaon City National High School in 1971 at Barangay Mabigo without its own dedicated campus, the school initially shared facilities with an elementary school. It received its operating permit on July 23, 1971, with three teachers appointed by the Division of Negros Oriental superintendent. The first graduation ceremony occurred in April 1974 with 27 graduates. The school was nationalized in 1988 under Executive Order 189. In 1991, fourth-year students began relocating to the current campus at Exodus Avenue, Barangay Panubigan, approximately two kilometers east of the original location. By the 2002-2003 academic year, all four grade levels had completed the transition to the new site. The institution was renamed Jose B. Cardenas Memorial High School in 2002 through local ordinance, following a 2001 resolution by the Local School Board. The school operates under the Department of Education's Basic Education Curriculum, with particular emphasis on Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE) programs that include Computer Literacy, Culinary Arts, Agriculture, Cosmetology, and other livelihood training designed to benefit both students and the surrounding community. The faculty consists of 50 nationally paid teachers, supported by administrative staff including a principal, administrative assistant/registrar, bookkeeper, guidance counselor, clerk, and utility worker. Security is provided by guards funded through parent contributions via the Parent-Teacher Community Association. The school maintains partnerships with the PTCA, local government, community organizations, and other stakeholders. While it has an Educational Management Information System for data management, the institution currently lacks medical/dental clinics, a fully functional library, and adequate science laboratory facilities. The school canteen has limited capacity, and some classrooms for first and second-year students are temporary makeshift structures.