In 1750, Mother Paula, of the Third Order of St. Dominic, sailed from Spain to the Philippines with the intent to provide a home for poor and abandoned children.

She opened a house she called Beater De Santa Rosa, named in honor of St. Rose of Lima, where she began to take care of children.

In spite of the war, the Sisters continued their mission of caring for homeless children and teaching catechism.

When liberation came in 1943, Mrs. Warner, an American who stayed with the Sisters, offered her home at Manga Avenue in Santa Mesa, Manila as a new school site.

In October, the Board of Directors of Santa Rosa proposed for the Sisters' return to the former site, Intramuros.

The Sisters refused due to the fact that they would have to accept certain conditions, such as having to relinquish the name Colegio de Santa Rosa.

It was inaugurated on February 2, 1957, along with the unveiling image of Our Lady at the campus rotunda, by Father Zacaraias Subinas, C.M.

In 1957, the school launched an expansion under Sister Filomena Zulueta, D.C. Additional wings were built to house the chapel and the auditorium.