PH Schools MCP Server

Name: PH Schools MCP Server
Author: darwinphi

by darwinphiversion 1.0.3i★ –iRuns on your computer

Registry nameio.github.darwinphi/ph-schools

Install

Overview

Description from the maker (original English)

Local stdio MCP server for searching and analyzing the Philippine schools masterlist dataset.

PopNx MCP’s three pillars

These three are never merged into one score: opinions, measurements and popularity are different things.

User voiceiNo reviews yetReviews open together with accounts in a later step
Our basic checksi1 of 1 passedChecked from public information; code not scanned yet
UsageiNot measured yet★ –

What you can do with it

We have not written a plain-language summary for this one yet. Below are the facts we read from the registry.

Connection: Runs on your computer
Transport: stdio
Category: Databases & datasets

Install

Pick the AI app you use, then copy the settings.

Before you install

Basic checks: 1 of 1 passed
Runs on your computer with your user’s permissions (files, network, apps).
You fill in yourself: PH_SCHOOLS_DATA_PATH, PH_SCHOOLS_DATA_URL, PH_SCHOOLS_DATA_TAG

You need

npmNode.js installed (for the npx command)

Which app do you use?

ClaudeClaude CodeCursorVS CodeChatGPT

Pick your app above. We remember it, so next time the button says “Install in …”.

Open Claude Desktop → Settings → Developer → Edit Config, and paste this into claude_desktop_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ph-schools": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@darwinphi/ph-schools-mcp-server"
      ],
      "env": {
        "PH_SCHOOLS_DATA_PATH": "your-value",
        "PH_SCHOOLS_DATA_URL": "your-value",
        "PH_SCHOOLS_DATA_TAG": "your-value"
      }
    }
  }
}

Run this in your terminal

claude mcp add ph-schools --env PH_SCHOOLS_DATA_PATH=your-value --env PH_SCHOOLS_DATA_URL=your-value --env PH_SCHOOLS_DATA_TAG=your-value -- npx -y @darwinphi/ph-schools-mcp-server

Fill in the empty values before running it.

Open in Cursor

Or copy the settings yourself

Paste into .cursor/mcp.json in your project, or ~/.cursor/mcp.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ph-schools": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@darwinphi/ph-schools-mcp-server"
      ],
      "env": {
        "PH_SCHOOLS_DATA_PATH": "your-value",
        "PH_SCHOOLS_DATA_URL": "your-value",
        "PH_SCHOOLS_DATA_TAG": "your-value"
      }
    }
  }
}

Your browser asks to open the app, then the app shows the settings and asks you to confirm. Key values are left empty for you to fill in.

Open in VS Code

Or copy the settings yourself

Paste into .vscode/mcp.json in your project

{
  "servers": {
    "ph-schools": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@darwinphi/ph-schools-mcp-server"
      ],
      "env": {
        "PH_SCHOOLS_DATA_PATH": "your-value",
        "PH_SCHOOLS_DATA_URL": "your-value",
        "PH_SCHOOLS_DATA_TAG": "your-value"
      }
    }
  }
}

Your browser asks to open the app, then the app shows the settings and asks you to confirm. Key values are left empty for you to fill in.

This one runs on your computer, and ChatGPT can only connect to servers on the internet. Pick another app.

Your choice stays on this device in a cookie; no account needed.

Values you fill in

PH_SCHOOLS_DATA_PATH env
Absolute path to a local schools dataset JSON file.
PH_SCHOOLS_DATA_URL env
Optional source URL used by sync-data.
PH_SCHOOLS_DATA_TAG env
Optional canonical dataset tag used by sync-data when URL is not provided.

These settings are generated from the maker’s registry entry. If the README says otherwise, follow the README.

What it can do

Runs on your computer; the tool list appears in your AI app after you install it.

Basic checksi

We check information anyone can see; we have not read the code. Checks that do not apply are left out of the count. · Checked Nov 7, 2026

✓ Pass
Maker matches the repo
The registry name was verified with the GitHub account darwinphi, which owns the repo
… Not checked yet
Still maintained
We have not read this repo from GitHub yet
… Not checked yet
Has a licence
We have not read this repo from GitHub yet
– Not applicable
Endpoint responds
This one runs on your computer; there is no internet endpoint
– Not applicable
Sign-in with OAuth
Runs on your computer and uses local settings instead
… Not checked yet
No hidden instructions in tool descriptions
Runs on your computer; we can only read tool lists from internet endpoints

Compared with others in Databases & datasetsi

More stars than 0% of the other 954 servers in this category
Published to the registry more recently than 9% of the other 954 servers in this category
Basic checks equal to or better than 100% of the other 954 servers in this category

Compared with every active server in this category in the registry. Stars count only when the publisher owns the repo.

Common questions

Is PH Schools MCP Server safe?

It passed 1 of 1 applicable basic checks. We have not read the code. Before adding a key or token, see what access the server asks for and use a key with only the permissions you need.

What keys or codes does it need?

The registry does not list a required key, though some servers ask you to sign in on first use.

Does it run on my computer or in the cloud?

It runs on your computer. Your AI app starts it when needed, and data does not pass through the maker’s servers (unless it calls an online service itself).

Is it still maintained?

The GitHub repo last changed –, and the latest version (1.0.3) reached the registry 7 months ago.

Which apps can use it?

Apps that support MCP, such as Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor and VS Code. You also need Node.js on your computer.

What can I use instead?

In the same category: Supabase, MongoDB MCP Server, Elasticsearch MCP Server

Alternatives

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Reading a card:★ GitHub starsiThree pillars: reviews · checks · usageiUpdated = latest version published to the registryi

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Install

README from the maker

Open the README

Copied from the maker’s repo as written. PopNx MCP has not reviewed or endorsed it. HTML, images and scripts are removed. Links lead off this site.

PH Schools MCP Server

Local stdio MCP server for querying and analyzing the Philippine schools masterlist dataset.

What This Server Provides

Tools:

search_schools
get_school_by_beis_id
list_regions
list_divisions
dataset_stats

Install and Run

npm install

npm start

Use npm start only when running from this repo manually.

Which Setup to Use

VS Code MCP (.vscode/mcp.json): enough for normal usage. If status is Running, VS Code already started the server.
Claude Desktop (claude_desktop_config.json): enough for normal usage. Restart Claude after config changes.
npx -y @darwinphi/ph-schools-mcp-server ...: one-off CLI usage without cloning repo.
npm install && npm start: local development/maintenance in this repository.

Usage Scenarios

mcp.json configured, no manual npx: works for chat tool calls (dataset_stats, search_schools, etc.).
Manual npx -y @darwinphi/ph-schools-mcp-server, no MCP client config: server process starts, but chat clients won't use it automatically.
mcp.json configured plus manual npx start: usually unnecessary; let the MCP client manage start/stop.
One-off commands without MCP chat: use npx ... --help or npx ... sync-data ....

Without MCP client config, automatic VS Code/Claude tool-calling will not work.

When to Use `mcp.json`

Use mcp.json for normal day-to-day MCP usage in VS Code (or equivalent client config in Claude Desktop).

Use it for:

Automatic server startup and lifecycle management by the MCP client
MCP tool usage directly from chat prompts (dataset_stats, search_schools, etc.)
Team/project-level shared MCP setup in a workspace

If MCP status shows Running, the client already started the server; manual npm start or manual npx start is usually unnecessary.

When to Use `npx`

Use npx from a terminal when you need one-off CLI actions without cloning or developing this repo.

Use it for:

Sanity check that the published package runs: npx -y @darwinphi/ph-schools-mcp-server --help
Manual dataset download/update: npx -y @darwinphi/ph-schools-mcp-server sync-data --tag v1.0.1 --output "$HOME/.ph-schools/data.json"
Manual debug startup outside client-managed MCP lifecycle: npx -y @darwinphi/ph-schools-mcp-server

Do not use npx start as a replacement for VS Code/Claude MCP config. In normal usage, let the MCP client manage server startup from its config.

When to Use `npm install` and `npm start`

Use these when working from this repository (developer/maintainer workflow), not for normal client usage.

Use them for:

Local development while editing source files in this repo
Running tests before commits/releases
Debugging local unpublished changes

Typical local workflow:

npm install

npm test npm start

If your VS Code/Claude MCP config is already working, you usually do not need to run npm start manually.

CLI (published package)

# Start MCP server over stdio

npx -y @darwinphi/ph-schools-mcp-server

Sync canonical dataset once to a chosen path

npx -y @darwinphi/ph-schools-mcp-server sync-data --tag v1.0.1 --output "$HOME/.ph-schools/data.json"

Quick Verify

npx -y @darwinphi/ph-schools-mcp-server --help

npx -y @darwinphi/ph-schools-mcp-server sync-data --tag v1.0.1 --output "$HOME/.ph-schools/data.json"

Dataset Configuration

This server is hybrid by default:

If local dataset file exists, it uses that file immediately.
If local dataset file is missing, it auto-downloads from the canonical dataset URL and caches locally.

Default canonical URL (pinned tag v1.0.1):

https://raw.githubusercontent.com/darwinphi/ph-schools-dataset/v1.0.1/schools_masterlist_2020_2021.json

Runtime env vars:

PH_SCHOOLS_DATA_PATH: preferred local JSON file path (used directly if present; auto-synced to this path if missing)
PH_SCHOOLS_DATA_URL: override download URL for sync-data
PH_SCHOOLS_DATA_TAG: canonical tag for sync-data when URL is not provided

VS Code MCP Config (Copy/Paste)

Set .vscode/mcp.json:

"servers": { "phSchools": { "type": "stdio", "command": "npx", "args": ["-y", "@darwinphi/ph-schools-mcp-server"], "env": { "PH_SCHOOLS_DATA_PATH": "/Users/your-user/.ph-schools/data.json" } } } }

If PH_SCHOOLS_DATA_PATH file is missing, the server automatically downloads from canonical source and writes to that path.

Claude Desktop Config (Copy/Paste)

Update Claude config:

"mcpServers": { "ph-schools": { "command": "npx", "args": ["-y", "@darwinphi/ph-schools-mcp-server"], "env": { "PH_SCHOOLS_DATA_PATH": "/Users/your-user/.ph-schools/data.json" } } } }

Alternative if npx is unreliable in your shell: install globally and use "command": "ph-schools-mcp-server".

If PH_SCHOOLS_DATA_PATH file is missing, the server automatically downloads from canonical source and writes to that path.

Typical macOS config file:

~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

Test Commands

npm test

npm run test:package

Example Prompts

Run dataset_stats and summarize key insights.
List all divisions in Region I using list_divisions.
Search schools in region "Region I" and division "Ilocos Norte".
Get school by BEIS ID 100001 using get_school_by_beis_id.
Search schools with query "High School".

Publishing and Release Flow

One-time npm setup (Trusted Publishing):

On npmjs.com, open package @darwinphi/ph-schools-mcp-server → Settings → Trusted publishers.
Add GitHub Actions trusted publisher with:

Owner/User: darwinphi
Repository: ph-schools-mcp-server
Workflow filename: cd.yml

Do not use NPM_TOKEN; release workflow uses OIDC (id-token: write).

Manual release flow (v1):

Update pinned dataset tag in src/constants.js.
Bump package version:

npm version patch   # or minor / major

What npm version patch does:

Updates package.json version (e.g., 1.0.1 -> 1.0.2)
Updates package-lock.json version fields
Creates a git commit
Creates a git tag (e.g., v1.0.2)

Sync server.json version to match package.json.
Run:

npm ci

npm test npm run test:package

Push commit and tags:

git push

git push --tags

Create GitHub Release notes from the tag:

gh release create v<new_version> --generate-notes --title "v<new_version>"

Example:

gh release create v1.0.2 --generate-notes --title "v1.0.2"

Push commit and tags. Tag pushes (v*) automatically trigger CD Release workflow.
Workflow publishes npm package, then publishes MCP Registry metadata.

For metadata-only updates, use workflow Publish MCP Registry Metadata.

License and Data Provenance

Code license: ISC (LICENSE).
Dataset source: darwinphi/ph-schools-dataset (canonical repository backed by gov.ph source data).
Use of dataset remains subject to source terms and applicable policies.

PH Schools MCP Server

Overview

PopNx MCP’s three pillars

What you can do with it

Install

Before you install

Values you fill in

What it can do

Basic checksi

Maker matches the repo

Still maintained

Has a licence

Endpoint responds

Sign-in with OAuth

No hidden instructions in tool descriptions

Compared with others in Databases & datasetsi

Common questions

Alternatives

Supabase

MongoDB MCP Server

Elasticsearch MCP Server

README from the maker

PH Schools MCP Server

What This Server Provides

Install and Run

Which Setup to Use

Usage Scenarios

When to Use mcp.json

When to Use npx

When to Use npm install and npm start

CLI (published package)

Sync canonical dataset once to a chosen path

Quick Verify

Dataset Configuration

VS Code MCP Config (Copy/Paste)

Claude Desktop Config (Copy/Paste)

Test Commands

Example Prompts

Publishing and Release Flow

License and Data Provenance

When to Use `mcp.json`

When to Use `npx`

When to Use `npm install` and `npm start`