The history of the Saint Peter’s College of Toril (SPCT) dates back to July 1, 1948 when the PME (Pere des Mission Etrangeres) priest missionaries of Foreign Mission of Quebec, Canada opened up a Catholic school known as Saint Peter’s High School. The school was a twin project of Santo Rosario Parish as the priests began their task of evangelization and formal program of religious instruction to the youth of Toril.  Father Jean Bernard Bazinet, P.M.E. was the first Parish Priest and the first School Director. In 1950, the school produced its 32 high school graduates.

Realizing an urgent need for a more permanent management of the school, Msgr. Clovis Thibault, Bishop of Davao, offered the administration of the school to the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary (P.M). The offer was accepted in 1952 but the P.M Sisters arrived in Toril only on May 25, 1953. Sister Marie de Angeles became the principal and at that point, the name of the school was changed to St. Peter’s College of Daliaon.

At the very start, the school consisted only of a two–storey building with eight (8) rooms. Between 1952 to 1967, more buildings were constructed particularly the Boys’ Annex, Girls’ Annex, Elementary Building, College Center and Laboratory Building. In 1963, the primary grades were opened followed by the intermediate grades the following year. Still in 1963, college courses leading to AB, BSE and BSC degrees were offered. In 1977, the two–year Junior Secretarial Course was offered followed by the preschool education or Kindergarten in 1978.

In answer to the demand for additional classrooms for the growing enrolment, a major project, the Rivier Building, was completed in 1986.

On November 23, 1989, the school’s name was changed to Saint Peter’s College of Toril.  In 1990, the Administration realized the need to advance standards and quality in meeting the demands for academic excellence among students and graduates. It was then that the elementary and high school departments applied for accreditation by the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU). Henceforth, begun a series of accreditation visits and revisits which required improvement of infrastructures, services, instruction, employees’ development and many more.  Presently, both elementary and junior high school departments are enjoying their PAASCU accredited Level II status.

School infrastructures had to continuously move forward and so in 1995, the Science Building was constructed through the generous help of the SPCT Alumni. Furthermore, the gymnasium was  completed in  1998, followed by the St. John Vianney building in 2022.The  JV building  is a three-storey building which houses the college administration offices, research office, guidance offices, audio-visual room and college learning resource center. The school chapel was likewise completed on the same year.

More advancement in the college happened in the year 2000 when Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) was opened to replace Bachelor of Science in Commerce major in Management Accounting.  BSBA had two major fields: (a) Financial management and (b) Marketing management.  Additionally, in 2001, Bachelor of Elementary Education-Generalist was offered and fortunately the first batch of its graduates obtained a 100% passing rate in the Licensure Examination (LET) for Teachers.

In 2008, the completion of the three-storey Presentacion de Marie building was indeed a milestone which coincided with celebration of the school’s 60th year or Diamond Anniversary. The momentous occasion was highlighted by 27 delegates from the PM Council of Congregation from Rome, Italy, headed by Mother Angele Dion, Superior General.

Still in 2008, SPCT was given the Exemplary School Performance Award by the Center for Educational Measurement, Inc. (CEM) for having displayed outstanding overall performance in the CEM Diagnostic Test in Grade 1 Mathematics from school year 2002 – 2003 until school year 2006 – 2007.  SPCT was the only recipient of the award among all schools which partnered with CEM in the entire Mindanao Region.

Furthermore, in school year 2010-2011, the college department was successful in its application of a new course, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology. Likewise, in school year 2012-2013, the application for Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) major in Human Resource Development Management was approved. It was in also on that same year when the long – awaited dream of having separate elementary campus and buildings   was realized. 

In school year 2014-2015, the implementation of DepEd’s K-12 program, came into existence with the high school department having 2 units, the Junior and Senior high school. To address the growing educational needs brought about by the implementation of the K-12 program, the Grade School campus was established. The development of the Grade School campus ensured that the institution could continue to provide a comprehensive and seamless educational experience for its students, from the early years through to the higher grade levels.

The pandemic years 2020 until 2023, had put to test the Information and Communication Technology resources of the school with teachers and students expanding their technological skills in adopting the new learning management system used for the delivery of the curriculum.  SPCT had successfully overcome the challenges of online learning experience as well as the stress and anxiety brought about by the covid-19 disease.

In answer to what the school community had yearned and prayed for many decades, one very historic and special event for the PM Congregation happened on May 15, 2022 in Rome, Italy when Pope Francis canonized into sainthood St. Marie Rivier, the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary Foundress. The Thanksgiving Mass was celebrated by the PM Community and PM Schools on July 15, 2022 at San Pedro Cathedral, Davao City.

SPCT celebrated a significant milestone in its history by marking its 75^th founding anniversary in 2023. This momentous occasion highlighted the institution’s long-standing commitment to providing quality education and its enduring legacy of academic excellence. The anniversary celebrations were a testament to SPCT’s rich heritage, its achievements over the decades, and its ongoing dedication to shaping the future of its students and community.

On February 23, 2023, during the celebration of the 75^th Anniversary of the Davao Association of Colleges and Schools (DACS), SPCT was honored with a plaque of recognition. This award acknowledged SPCT as one of the pioneering members of the association. The recognition underscored SPCT’s long-standing contribution to the educational community in Davao and its active role in the growth and development of the region’s academic landscape since the inception of DACS.

In 2023, the school also took significant steps to expand its academic offerings by applying for new programs and TESDA short courses within the college department. This effort resulted in the successful addition of two new degree programs: the Bachelor of Physical Education and the Bachelor of Human Services. These new programs are designed to enhance the educational opportunities available to students and align with the evolving needs of the job market.

Guided by the Philippine Catholic Schools Standards (PCSS), Presentation of Mary Schools Vision-Mission, and its own Vision-Mission, SPCT continuously moves forward and seek proper direction and advancement of quality guided by periodic monitoring and evaluation of its strategic priorities, improved organizational structure, research undertakings, and committed leadership.

To this day, SPCT stands proud and strong in its very accessible location with its well-tailored buildings, beautiful green campus and its reputation of delivering high quality and transformative Christian education. All of these could not have been possibly achieved without the hard work, prudent discernment, and steadfast support of administrators, employees, Parents, Guardians and Teachers Association (PGTA), Alumni Organization and community.