BRIEF PROFILE OF ST. JUDE THADDEUS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
DepEd School ID:
| Name of School | : | St. Jude Thaddeus International School |
| Address | : | Estrada de Balide/Mascarenhas/Villa Verde, Dili, Timor-Leste |
| Contact Number | : | +670 7810 8391 | +63 915 622 9487 |
| Email Address | : | sjtisdili@gmail.com | vicedirector@sjtistl.com |
| Website | : | www.sjtisdili.com |
| Social Media Account | : | https://www.facebook.com/sjtisdili |
| Date Established | : | October 28, 2013 |
| Start of Operations | : | January 2014 |
| Permit from Host Govt. | : | 11926236 |
| Date of Issuance | : | April 9, 2014 |
| DepEd Permits | : | Provisional Government Permit No. 1 series of 2026 dtd March 12, 2026 (covering Kinder, Elementary, and Junior High School Levels) Senior High School Provisional Permit No. 1 series of 2026 dtd March 12, 2026 (covering Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) strand) |
| School’s Category | : | Category II |
History of St. Jude Thaddeus International School
In 2013, Mrs. Hiedie Mariano Veranga, a Filipino citizen, along with three dedicated educators -Ms. Flordelis Paltingca, Ms. Beatriz P. Oling, and Mrs. Nanette Salcedo – took on the challenge of establishing an affordable Catholic school in Timor-Leste. This vision gave birth to St. Jude Thaddeus School.
Guided by a strong spiritual foundation, the school was further enriched through the presence of Sr. Marylu Mariano, OP, a Dominican missionary from the Philippines, and sister of its founder, Mrs. Veranga, who had devoted sixteen years of service to East Timor. As the school’s religious adviser, she played a vital role in shaping its Catholic identity and ensuring that its mission responded meaningfully to the needs of both local and international Catholic families within a culturally diverse community.
To promote the school within the community, two Timorese friends, Francisca Soares and Elisabeth Araujo, supported the education marketing efforts, spreading awareness about the newly established institution. Mrs. Veranga also conducted a feasibility study and sought the necessary approval of the license to operate from the host government, which was then granted in 2014. Working closely with Mrs. Veranga, Acting Director Mr. Edwin A. Atim laid the groundwork for its official opening in January 2014 in Fatuhada, Dili, Timor-Leste.
The school initially opened with a teaching staff composed of four (4) Filipino and eight (8) Timorese teachers. In early 2015, Mrs. Veranga formally assumed the role of director. The school’s name was officially changed to St. Jude Thaddeus International School. Later in 2015, the school relocated to Vila Verde, Dili, where it was warmly welcomed by the community, enabling it to accommodate a growing number of students.
At its inception, the school offered Playgroup, Kindergarten 1 and 2, and classes up to Grade 10. Over the years, it expanded its offerings to include Senior High School. The school celebrated its first Grade 6 completers in November 2014, Grade 10 completers in November 2016, and its first batch of Grade 12 graduates (3 graduates) in November 2018.
Responding to the growing demand for quality education among both local and international communities, the school has continuously expanded its facilities. New additions include a permanent school building, a covered court, and dedicated Computer, and Science Laboratories.
Today, the school stands as a vibrant and dynamic educational institution serving a culturally diverse community. It continues to welcome both Filipino expatriate families and a majority of Timorese learners from various parts of Dili. With its three campuses—Preschool Campus in Vila Verde, Elementary or Main Campus in Balide, and High School Campus in Mascarenhas—the school remains steadfast in its mission to nurture learners through transformative and holistic education, guided by faith, excellence, and service.
Vision
To produce transformed pupils and students into a holistic person through transformative education with increased awareness and responsiveness and be prepared to the changes of the society.
Mission
St. Jude Thaddeus International School will promote and intensify the child’s knowledge to discover and enhance the different aptitudes and interest so as to equip with skills for a productive endeavor and prepare them to career orientation for a constructive and effective involvement in the upgrade society. To uphold and maintain a value – laden Thaddean with love to God, and nation, and to the people which they belong.