Partly subsidized by the "Ayuntamiento", the "Escuela" was the only primary school in Manila at the time. The Escuela changed its name to "Ateneo Municipal de Manila" () in 1865, when it became accredited as an institute of secondary education. It began by offering the "bachillerato", as well as certificates in agriculture, surveying, and business. José Rizal, who would later be named a national hero of the Philippines, enrolled for his secondary studies in 1872, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1877, continuing studies at the Ateneo for a license in land surveying.