The challenge and need for a higher school of learning in Ipil, with the desire of the people, prompted the very Reverend Father Efecio I. Dolalas, S.J., to found the Ipil Marian Academy which later on became Marian College.
With his proper guidance, the people sent a petition to the higher dignitaries of the Society of Jesus. After favorably acting upon said petition, Fr. Dolalas forwarded it to the Honorable Minister of Education and Culture. After meeting all the requirements, Marian College was granted the authorization to open during the school year 1958-1959.
The school had 100 students enrolled in the first and second year of high school. Only four pioneering teachers started with Fr. Dolalas as the director. The third class was opened the following year increasing the enrollment to 150 students. More teachers were employed as the enrollment increased. Enrollment rose to over 200 with the opening of fourth year class in 1960-1961. At the end of the year 16 high school students marched to receive their diplomas, during the first commencement exercise.
The following school year, more classrooms were constructed to accommodate the 203 students enrolled. Before the first day of February, 1962, due to the clamor of people of Ipil and the neighboring municipalities for a college, the Reverend Father Director sent another petition to the Honorable Minister of Education and Culture to open collegiate courses.