If you’re planning to move to the Philippines with your family, one of your considerations would definitely involve having a suitable school where you can enroll your children, ideally those that offer the prestigious International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. This global diploma program is recognized in several countries and will help students with their college applications, not just in the Philippines but in other parts of the world as well should they wish to study abroad or back in their home country.
Fortunately, there is an impressive selection of international schools located in various locations in the Philippines – whether within or outside Metro Manila. These schools guarantee the best curriculum that is offered and recognized across the globe. More so, the schools are listed as accredited international schools by the Department of Education which means that they are recognized under the Philippine jurisdiction for holding out education as their main business. This article lists some of the best and well-known international schools in the Philippines.
Metro Manila
1. International School Manila (Taguig City)
Located in Fort Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, International School Manila (ISM) is one of the most well-known international schools in the country. It is also the first school to offer the IB Diploma in Asia. ISM is a private, non-profit, and non-sectarian co-ed institution offering a pre-school to grade 12 curriculum. The high school program of ISM is designed to fully prepare students for their college applications and upon completion earns them the prestigious ISM High School Diploma which is recognized by many colleges around the world. Students in grades 9 and 10 can also choose from a wide range of elective courses offered by ISM such as Robotics, Visual Arts, Programming, and more.
Website: www.ismanila.org
2. British School Manila (Taguig City)
British School Manila (BSM) is located in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. It is an international school that adapts the British curriculum for all its programs, from the Early Years Foundation Stage up to its IB Diploma program. The school also maintains small class sizes for most levels to help instructors get to know their students better and understand each one’s needs and interests. BSM has a multi-national student body with over 40 nationalities and different backgrounds.
Website: britishschoolmanila.org
3. Southville International School and Colleges (Las Piñas City)
Recognized nationally and globally, Southville International School and Colleges (SISC) is an institution in Las Pinas that has complete educational offerings, internationally benchmarked curricula, and learner-responsive programs. The school’s K-12 program is designed to provide value-focused learning experiences to its students. The junior and senior high school division follows the National Curriculum of the United Kingdom for several subjects and the Common Core State Standards of the United States for English. SISC also has undergraduate programs in Accountancy, Tourism, Communication, and more.
Website: www.southville.edu.ph
4. German European School Manila (Parañaque City)
German European School Manila (GESM) offers two different sections for Kinder to Grade 10. The first one uses German as its medium of instruction and follows the German curriculum, while the other uses English and follows the Primary Years Programme and Cambridge International Syllabus for its curriculum. The school’s Senior Years Programme offers two programs for grades 11 and 12. The IB Diploma Program, which is university-oriented, and the IB Career-related Program, which offers skills-based courses like graphic design, hospitality, game development, and more. GESM boasts a history of globally outstanding results and academic achievements. The school netted a 95% passing rate in the most recent international assessments of its English-based offerings which is 12 points above the average rate. It also has a 100% passing rate for the German school-leaving exams for the last 15 years.
Website: www.gesm.org
5. Reedley International School (Pasig City)
Reedley International School’s (RIS) has a 14-year curriculum that combines the best practices of Singaporean, American, and Filipino curricula. The Singaporean curriculum is applied to its Math and Science courses. For English Language Arts, Ohio and Common Core Standards are used and the AERO Common Core Plus standards for Social Studies. It also follows DepEd’s K to 12 program for its curriculum. RIS also has a specialized Kindergarten program that incorporates the best of traditional and progressive learning approaches.
Website: www.reedleyschool.edu.ph
Outside Metro Manila
1. Faith Academy (Cainta, Rizal)
Faith Academy (FA) is an International Christian School situated at Cainta, Rizal. The school offers programs for pre-kindergarten up to grade 12 using a combination of American and international curricula. They also have options for Korean Studies and Advanced Placement, as well as activities in visual, performing, and practical arts. FA’s curriculum focuses on progressive approaches while instilling Christian values. FA closely partners with church and missionary groups across the globe to further strengthen the values to go on preaching the word of God.
Website: www.faith.edu.ph
2. Brent International School Manila (Laguna)
One of the oldest international schools in the country, Brent International School is a co-ed educational institution that gathers students from about 45 countries into one Christian environment. Its levels are grouped into five divisions. The Early Learning Center, Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School are all located on the main campus in Binan, Laguna. They also have a separate campus for the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Los Banos.
Website: www.brent.edu.ph
3. Cebu International School (Pit-os, Cebu)
Cebu International School (CIS) is the first IB-authorized school in the Visayas and Mindanao region. It offers internationally renowned programs ranging from preschool to Grade 12. The Early Years Programme is designed for 2 to 4-year-olds, the Primary Years Programme for Kindergarten to Grade 5, Middle Years Programme for Grades 6 to 10, and the Diploma Programme for Grades 11 and 12.
Website: www.cis.edu.ph
4. ONE International School (Negros Oriental)
A relatively young international school, ONE International School started off as a preschool in 2011. A decade later, it now accepts students from preschool to senior high school. ONE adapted British curriculum infused with Visayan and Filipino language instruction as well.
Website: www.oneinternationalschool.edu.ph
Related article: 8 Homeschool Providers in the Philippines
