In March 1953, the school held its first graduation in Secretarial Course. A one-year course in Mechanics was offered in SY 1953-1954 and had six students as their first graduates. Two years later the Maryknoll Sisters were invited to take over the administration of the High School and College Departments. In that same year, three courses were offered: Bachelor of Science in Education, Bachelor of Science in Home Economics Education and Associate in Commercial Science. In the late fifties, however, due to lack of qualified instructors, the Bachelor of Science in Education course was temporarily suspended, but was re-opened in SY 1963-1964, and Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education was also offered that same year. Four years later, Liberal Arts was opened in 1968. The schoolyear 1968-69 also marked the membership of La Salette of Santiago, Inc. in the Catholic Education Association of the Philippines (CEAP).
In 1970, in order to cope with the unprecedented increase in college enrolment, the Administration moved the college department from the high school campus to its present site. The College Department was given the permit to offer a Four-Year Course in Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
In 1972, with barely two years of existence, the Ministry of Education Culture and Sports (MECS) granted government recognition for the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. In 1974, the last year of management of the Maryknoll Sisters at La Salette of Santiago, Inc., the college was granted the long-awaited accreditation by the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools Colleges and Universities (PAASCU) for its three programs: Liberal Arts, Education and Commerce, making La Salette of Santiago, Inc. the first PAASCU accredited school in the Province of Isabela; second in Cagayan Valley and 19th in the entire Philippines. Thus, La Salette of Santiago, Inc. joined the country with a tradition for academic excellence.
Towards the end of 1974, the Religious of the Assumption took over the administration of La Salette College and the High School. They continued the great work of the Maryknoll Sisters whose service to La Salette was marked by significant innovations in academic and administrative levels. That same year, the La Salette Pananagutan Center was born in response to the challenge of Christian service particularly the poor in the locality. It has become the Social Responsibility Center of the school. During the term of the Religious of the Assumption, the college worked for and passed the second PAASCU re-accreditation. In the following years, many changes and improvements were realized. The Business Office was re-organized and proper accounting system was installed; administrative functions were defined and systematized; the library was transferred to a wider and better site; more buildings were constructed for needed facilities; Faculty and Staff Development Program was strengthened and worthwhile researches and outreach activities were undertaken. Later on, the college assumed operation of the canteen and bookstore.
When the Religious of the Assumption left in 1977 for other new missions, they left an indelible mark in the heart of the La Salette academic community which they served so well. In June, 1978, to prepare its students for the growing needs of the business and industry and for the scientific and technological development in the province and the region, the Secondary Science Curriculum was introduced in the High School Department. <<next page>>