“The sight of the great number of poor in the St. Denis district leads me to desire to take charge of their instruction. Should these poor little girls remain steeped in ignorance, it is to be feared that this same ignorance will be harmful to them and render them incapable of cooperating with the grace of God for their salvation.”
(SLM: SW, L. 41)
The Daughters of Charity – St. Louise de Marillac Educational System (DC–SLMES) is a network of Catholic educational institutions inspired by the charism and spirituality of St. Louise de Marillac and St. Vincent de Paul. It is dedicated to forming young women and men who are Christ-centered, charitable, globally competent, committed to serving persons who are poor, and steadfast in their care for God’s creation.
Anchored in the Vincentian spirit of charity and transformative service, the member schools of the DC–SLMES integrate faith, academic excellence, social responsibility and the guiding principles of the Inter-Assemblies Document (IAD) into all programs and services.
The system comprises 17 schools across the Philippines: five (5) in the National Capital Region, four (4) in Western Visayas, three (3) in Central Visayas, and five (5) in the Bicol Region. To ensure quality education, these schools adhere to recognized accreditation and certification bodies such as Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU), Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation (PACUCOA), and Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC).
With one heart, one mind, and one spirit, DC–SLMES builds a unified educational system rooted in collaboration, research, innovation, and dedication.
Guided by the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, the Educational System unites its schools in the mission of making Christ’s love creative and effective in the world today. Through quality Catholic Vincentian education, DC–SLMES responds to the needs and challenges of the times by innovating learning approaches, fostering inclusivity, caring for creation, and upholding integrity, respect, and compassion in all endeavors.
In collaboration with the DC Lay Mission Partners (LaMPs), the system nurtures a shared commitment to lifelong learning, servant leadership, and holistic formation. Together, the Daughters of Charity and their LaMPs embody the mission to “serve Christ in persons who are poor,” forming every Vincentian learner to think critically, act justly,, and serve with compassion.
To safeguard the Catholic identity of its schools, the Philippine Catholic Schools Standards (PCSS) provide the framework for each School’s Continuing Quality Improvement Plan (CQIP)—a structured and ongoing initiative that strengthens mission alignment, educational effectiveness, and institutional excellence. Anchored in the PCSS, every school ensures that education and formation remain faith-driven, student-centered, academically excellent, socially responsive, and faithful to the mission of forming Christ-centered Vincentian leaders who advocate for persons living in poverty and who care for creation.
Responding to the calls of the times, DC–SLMES advances its 2025–2030 Education Ministry Plan, highlighting breakthroughs in internationalization, AI-enhanced programs and services, curriculum innovation, continuing faith formation for the youth, and the strengthening of technical-vocational education. The system also champions the Lumière Scholarship for social work students and deepens the Vincentian formation of lay mission partners, ensuring that every educator and stakeholder embodies the spirit of faith and service.
