St Paula Academy was established in the year 1995 by owner Michael Tuazon, a former private school teacher. He also owned several other business including a private maternity clinic, a mini mall and several apartment for rents. Michael Tuazon then married Stephanie Carlos. They have kids who are currently enrolled at St Paula. Martin, the eldest is currently in Grade 10, Janine in Grade 7 and Steven in Grade 4.
St Paula Academy has over 1,700 students offering Kindergarten to College courses. They pride themselves having the best graduates since the year 2012. Their graduates now includes prestigious lawyers, doctors, and other professionals.
It currently has 4 buildings scattered over a 300 hectares lot. A pool for their swimming classes, a gym, an auditorium, a greenhouse, workshop for their woodworks, a big library, a state of the art laboratory, computer rooms, two cafeterias and wide parking lot. The amenities is by far the best in the city.
Tuition fee at St Paula Academy is expensive, to say. But if you're smart you can apply for an academic scholarship, if you're good in sports you can apply for a varsity scholarship, and you can be granted a spot in the school if you have sponsors. Almost 30% of the total students are either under scholarships or paid for by sponsors. As part of the scholarship or sponsorship program, there are certain qualifications:
1. You need to maintain an average score of at least 85 every grading.
2. Abide with the school policies and guidelines.
3. Attends and participate in school programs.
4. Does not show bad characters.
5. Can not be involve in any cheating, fighting, vandalizing incidents.
And if one violates any of the said qualifications, they are automatically stripped off their scholarship or sponsorship.
The school is headed by Headmaster Julio De Jesus. His qualifications is outstanding. He graduated on top of his class majoring in Liberal Arts. Has a Masters Degree in Social Studies. Has a Doctorate in English Literature. And so on. He was once commended by the town mayor for his help in building a program for out of school youths and creating a livelihood projects for single parents. He's been the school Headmaster since 2012 and eversince the overall school performance is at best. His office is located at the main building at the second floor facing the school grounds. You can see him standing at the school's main entrance every morning before 8 a.m. At exactly 8.am. he will close the main door and all late students can not enter, will have to wait outside for 30 minutes, and can only enter after receiving a written warning signed by both the student and the Headmaster. If you received the third warning, it's a ground for suspension.
It's 7:45 a.m. And as Libby walked towards the school main entrance, she saw Headmaster De Jesus stared at her. She greeted him.
"Good morning Headmaster," Libby said smiling.
The Headmaster nodded at her. She continued to walk up to her club room and checked the mystery board that Ashley started yesterday. There's Mimi's picture, the note she received saying Mimi is innocent, a picture of the message someone sent her, the incomplete timeline from the start where the test papers are stolen, the private investigators arrival, the interviews from some teachers and students, the day when a test papers was found inside Mimi's locker, the trial held at the Headmasters office, and the decision of the school to suspend Mimi.
Libby sighed. There's so many things to do. She checked her watch. It's already 7:55. She picked up her things, locked the door and heads to her first class. Homeroom.
When she entered the room, almost all her classmates are already there. She sat down and looked at the back. Dan and Kate - his girlfriend, are in serious discussion. Martin, the school owner's son is reading a book. Jon and the other jocks are laughing about something. The bell rings signalling the start of the first subject and in comes their class adviser - Miss Carol Jimenez.
Miss Jimenez is a proud graduate of St Paula Academy. She graduated a Magna Cum Laude. She started teaching at St Paula from 2019. And she's now the Head of the High School Department. Miss Jimenez is a kind and loving teacher but shows strictness when it comes to teaching. Her main subject is English Literature. Every Monday at 8.am. all students has a Homeroom subject where they discuss school activities, up coming projects, school announcements, and many extra curricular events.
When Miss Jimenez entered the room, she immediately closed the door. Everyone sat up straight. She only closes the door for serious and important announcement.
"Okay, let's check attendance first," started Miss Jimenez. She proceeded with a roll call. When finished, only Mimi who is suspended is the only one not there. She closed her record book and stand in front of the class.
"Class, since the original test papers was stolen last week, we, the teachers decided to do a new batch. Just study all the lessons that was discussed to you by your teachers. This will be a surprise test. Will just give you an estimate date but we will not say when exactly. We want to avoid what happened last week." She glanced at Mimi's empty chair.
"Also, the Headmaster is now open for suggestions for this year's Prom. We need to start planning as early as now. Prom will be held by Feb 19. A month starting today, so if you have suggestions, feel free to say it."
"Oh, no! I forgot about Prom," Libby said to herself. And as expected, everyone is looking at her. She's the go to go gal for big events like this. She always volunteer to be the organizer. But with Mimi's case now, she's not sure.
"Libby, do you have anything?" asked Miss Jimenez expectantly.
Libby rummaged through her thoughts quickly.
"Actually Miss Jimenez, Libby and I are planning something. But with the upcoming test and all, she said we need more help this time," Dan said.
"Yes Miss, we already come up with different options for this year's Prom theme," Libby added quickly. "We just need at least a day or two to finalize everything then we'll make a presentation."
"Okay," said Miss Jimenez. "Actually, I've already advised Headmaster De Jesus about our time constraint issues. He said that this year, we will hire additional staff to help us. He just needs our inputs and layout until Wednesday afternoon. So Libby, I want you to put in your calendar our scheduled meeting on Wednesday 2 p.m. Kindly make an excuse letter for yourself and for other students that you will be needing to attend. Have it ready by tomorrow so the teachers and our Headmaster can sign it before Wednesday, okay?"
"Noted Miss," Libby said while jotting down notes.
The bell signaled the end of the first period.
"Okay, class. See you again later," said Miss Jimenez while gathering her things. Then walked out the door.
The students then stood up to walked out and proceed to their next class. Computer IV. The computer classes are held on the third floor of the main building. The left wing has four adjacent rooms that filled with fifty high end computers. You can see one computer set per table. Five table per row. There's a big white board, a projector, a long table with different kinds of computers - from desktop to laptop. On one side of the room, there's a computer operated robot and other things.
Libby sat on the second row. She needs to focus. She placed her notebook and pen at her desk and turned on the computer. After a while their teacher Gerald Santos walks in. He started by greeting the class and asked them to navigate their computer in a certain site. This site will document their typing skills. He then opened a book and read it aloud. Students at the back won't have any problems hearing him because all teachers at St Paula uses lapel. Today's lesson is about dictation and how fast or slow they can type.
Libby started typing while listening to her teacher. She glanced at the clock above the board. It's 9:10 a.m. Their computer class ends at 10 a.m. Fifty minutes more. Her mind can't stop thinking about Mimi's case and the plan for their prom.
"Ugh, it's gonna be a long day," she said to herself. She braced herself then continue typing. Mister Santos' voice echoed thru the class. You can only hear his voice and the sound of keyboards clacking. "It's hectic but quiet. Maybe, that's what I need right now," Libby thought while continuing her work.