Saint Michael's College of Laguna (SMCL) retains the deregulated status with the extension of the autonomous and deregulated status granted to private higher education institutions (HEI's) by virtue of CMO No. 21 s.2003; CMO No. 21 s.2004 and CMO No. 59 s. 2007 until April 30, 2009. SMCL belongs to the second batch of HEI's granted the award of distinction on 27 October 2003 making it the first deregulated higher education institution in Laguna joining the ranks of the Top 6% of the HEI's nationwide. The award is conferred for the institution's meritorious achievement in the provision of instruction, conduct of research and community extension services for high performance of graduates in the licensure examinations and for maintaining a tradition of integrity and excellence and an untarnished reputation in the educational service.