Dominican College of Tarlac, a proud institution of learning, owes its existence to the faith and vision of the late Fr. Mariano M. Sablay, Parish Priest of San Nicolas de Tolentino of Capas, Tarlac in 1946.

As a response to the growing demand for secondary education right in the heart of Capas, San Nicolas Academy was established on February 14, 1947. Only 35 students enrolled for the first and second year classes which were conducted at the old convent of the Parish Church.

The first commencement exercises was held in March 1950 with 14 successful graduates. In 1960, the Dominican Sisters took over the administration of the institution with Sr. Rosalina Mirabueno, O.P. as Principal. The completion of the main building brought about the enrolment of more students which eventually lead to the expansion of its facilities.

In 1967, SNA was renamed Dominican School- in honor of St. Dominic, founder of the Order of Preachers. Through the years, religious Sisters took turns in serving as principal, to wit: Sr. Ma. Rosalina Mirabueno, Sr. Ines Fider, Sr. Irene Lapus, Sr. Ma. Magdalena Olfato, Sr. Catalina Saligumba, Sr. Carmen Tiamzon, Sr. Loreto Penuliar, Sr. Catherine Cachero, Sr. Caridad Bayani, and Sr. Marisor Fabros at present.

March of 1973 was the last commencement exercises under the Religious Missionaries of St. Dominic. From then on, the new congregation of Daughters of St. Dominic took over the reign of the school his time under a diocesan congregation with Bishop Jesus J. Sison at the helm.

The year 1980 marked a milestone in its history when Bishop Jesus Sison with Sr. Carmen Tiamzon, principal of DS then, envisioned that the school could be of better service to the community of Capas and neighboring towns if it could offer tertiary education.

What started as simple typing classes, the “mustard seed” grew slowly into college department that boasts of courses like Computer Secretarial, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Elementary Education, and Bachelor Secondary Education. Government recognition was given to the above-mentioned courses in 1985, 1997 and 1999 respectively. In 2005 and 2006, DCT has been given accreditation by TESDA to open course programs such Hotel and Restaurant Management, Practical Nursing, and Contact Center Training which made the enrolment in college bullish and competitive.

To gain recognition from the Commission on Higher Education is not smooth sailing. The college took a higher dimension through the efforts of Mrs. Remedios Briones, Dean of the College Department, and Sr. Caridad Bayani to whom DCT owes a great part of its present status.

The school has come a long way in its continuous and unwavering quest for excellence. From a humble beginnings of 35 students when the institution was established as San Nicolas Academy, the students have grown to over 2000 to date, backed up by a faculty, administration and support staff of more than one hundred under its new name Dominican College of Tarlac (since April 20, 1999). In fact, it is most worthy to note that DCT has been given an “ABOVE STANDARD” rating by the Department of Education and Fund for Assistance to Private Education (FAPE).

DCT not only prides itself of its increasing enrolment, but more of its accomplishments and achievements. In the past years, DCT has been at the forefront of numerous interscholastic activities. It has won honors in competitions not only in Capas, but also in cluster, division, regional and national levels in both public and private categories.

To better deliver accessible quality education and improve the achievement level of students, the school has developed and maintained an environment conducive to optimum learning. Its teachers regularly attend seminars on new teaching strategies to hasten and improve their teaching skills, to meet the standards of quality education. Parents are likewise motivated and encouraged to keep abreast in their children’s performance thru Parents-Teachers Conferences (PTC) and summits.

To ensure holistic training of its students, DCT provides avenues for the development and enhancement of the students’ talents and skills. Various clubs and organizations have been organized to meet the needs of the students and to showcase their talents. As such, DCT is affiliated with Dominican Network of Schools, Catholic Education Association of the Philippines, Tarlac Diocesan Schools Association, Association of Private Schools of Tarlac Province (APSTaP), Private Schools Athletic Association, Philippine Association for Teachers and Educators (PAFTE), Central Luzon Association of Higher Education Institutions (CLASSHEI) and among others.

The school believes that the spiritual growth of the students is a top priority among its numerous objectives. Thus, there are regular religious activities where students and teachers actively participate. These include First Friday Masses, Holy Communions, confessions, retreats and Gospel readings.

To date, DCT ensures alignment of the functions of the college offices where reorganization was taken. This includes the creation of Academic Affairs Office, Christian Formation, and Research, Planning and Quality Assurance Office.

DCT, at present, offers preschool education, grade school, junior high school and senior high school programs along with tertiary education programs, to wit: Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEED), Bachelor of Secondary Education major in English and Mathematics, Bachelor of Science in Information and Technology (BSIT), Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management (BSHM), Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management (BSTM), Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (A.B. Pol Sci), Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA), and Bachelor of Science in Accountancy (BSA) and Bachelor of Science in Criminology (BSCRIM – now on its 4th year). This is along with the school as assessment and training center for TESDA short courses and/or programs.

The Dominican community, comprising of students, parents, teachers, administrators, service personnel and alumni, is fully convinced that its past and present accomplishments and its sustained pursuit of excellence have provided the foundation for its claim to become an institution that turns out quality graduates who will eventually compose the so-called transformed society. To this end, DCT forever commits itself.

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