Comparing 4 schools side by side in USD.
Gov. Cuenco Avenue, Banilad, Cebu City, Philippines 6000. The campus is located on a main avenue in Banilad, Cebu City. It is accessible by local transport and serves as the combined site for Play House Preschool and BRIGHT Academy.
BRIGHT Academy offers Grade School, Junior High School, and Senior High School. Play House Preschool provides the early-years program. BRIGHT Academy and Play House share a single campus that includes the upper levels and senior high programs.
Private, non-sectarian, and co-educational. No boarding facilities are listed.
No publicly published details about Additional Learning Needs (SEN) provisions are listed on the school pages.
Philippines. The school is recognized by the Department of Education (Region VII) and is authorised to accept foreign students.
Non-sectarian; there is no formal religious affiliation disclosed.
First Bell is at 7:55 am and Last Bell is at 2:25 pm.
A school bus service operates with three routes. Route One, Route Two, and Route Three start from Silver Bay and make 15-minute-interval stops at Woodsmith, Campus Bay, and San Anders Point. Morning pickups occur around 7:30–8:15 am depending on the route.
The school is private and non-sectarian. It is recognized by the Philippine Department of Education in Region VII.
Bright Academy combines Play House Preschool (Nursery 1–2; Kinder 1–2) and BRIGHT Academy (Grade School through Senior High) at Banilad, Cebu City. It provides Grade School (Grades 1–6), Junior High (Grades 7–10), and Senior High School (Grades 11–12). The school is DepEd-recognized, with the Elementary Course (Grades 1–6) recognized on 12 March 2007 and the Secondary Course (Grades 7–12) recognized on 27 December 2007; a Senior High School Permit was granted on October 29, 2015. The curriculum follows a Balanced and Values-integrated approach aimed at total development and to foster critical and creative thinking. Online learning is delivered through Google Classroom as the learning-management system for Play House and BRIGHT Academy.
Bright Academy supports social and emotional learning by enhancing emotional intelligence and self-confidence through curricular and co-curricular activities, within a warm environment created by caring and competent teachers and staff.
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision or whether it is a specialist SEN institution.
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding English as an Additional Language (EAL) provision.
Mental and physical well-being are emphasized as part of the school's safety measures and curricular approach.
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding safeguarding and child protection policies.
1. Complete the Admissions Form. Provide accurate information about the student and guardians. Submit the form to initiate the process and allow the Admissions Officer to review your application.
2. Submit the necessary documents. Provide all documents as requested by the Admissions Officer. Missing items can delay the processing of your application.
3. Wait for Confirmation from the Admissions Officer. The Admissions Officer will review your submission and communicate next steps. You may be asked for additional information or to schedule a conversation.
4. Fill Out the Online Enrollment Form. Complete the enrollment form once you have confirmation. Review your child's intended grade placement and enrollment terms. Sign or submit any required confirmations as instructed.
5. Pay Enrollment Fee. Pay the enrollment fee to finalize enrollment. If needed, confirm the accepted payment methods with the Admissions Officer. You will receive an enrollment confirmation after payment.
The site does not publish current scholarship programs. There is a note about fee concessions and discounts in older pages (2020-2021), indicating temporary relief measures during the pandemic, but no ongoing scholarship program is described.
There is no published waitlist or pool system for Bright Academy Cebu on the admissions pages. The site describes a direct application process and steps but does not mention a waiting list or pool.
The main campus is at CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines, located along Roxas Boulevard by Manila Bay. The campus is accessible from central Manila and nearby districts. A second campus operates at 6075 Palma Street, Poblacion, Makati, Metro Manila. The school serves families in both Pasay and Makati areas of Metro Manila.
Preschool, Primary School, and Middle School are available. The school also operates the Global Institute and Open Academy as additional pathways, and there is a Virtual School for online learning.
The school is a co-educational day school.
Public information does not list dedicated Special Educational Needs (SEN) or Additional Learning Needs (ALN) provisions. No SEN-specific facilities or programs are described on public pages beyond general facilities and programs.
The school operates in the Philippines and has campuses in Manila; there is no separate country affiliation listed.
The school presents an ecumenical orientation and does not align with a single religious denomination.
Start and end times are not published on public pages; the site describes the grade levels and curriculum but does not provide daily schedule hours.
Public information does not list a school bus service; there is no documented bus provision on the site.
The school is a non-stock, nonprofit entity. It was founded by Jacqueline Marzan-Tolentino, who established Eton International School to provide international education in Manila.
Eton International School follows an international curriculum framework comprising the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) for Preschool and Primary, and the International Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC) for Middle School, and it applies the Dunn & Dunn Model of International Learning Styles to guide teaching. In Preschool, the IPC – Early Years Program is used for ages 3–5, delivering goal-centric, thematically integrated learning across subjects. In Primary School, IPC provides a rigorous, global learning program that connects classroom topics to real-world contexts and cross-cultural perspectives. In Middle School, IMYC supports 11–14-year-olds with theme-based, skill-focused learning that fosters independent and interdependent work and self-reflection, with student work presented using contemporary media. The Dunn & Dunn Learning Styles framework informs teaching, with an assessment process involving parents to identify each child's learning style and tailor instruction. The school also offers an online International Curriculum-based Virtual School mirroring IPC and IMYC, supported by a learning management system for remote learners.
SEL is supported through an International Holistic Curriculum and a Dunn & Dunn Learning Styles model that includes an emotional dimension, complemented by a 10:1 student–teacher ratio enabling tailored support.
The school runs an After-School Enrichment Program with Academic Tutorial options in Math, Science, and Reading, among other offerings, but does not publicly disclose a dedicated SEN department or the specific special educational needs it can support.
Explicit EAL provision is not described in publicly accessible pages of the curriculum or program sections.
Mental wellbeing programs or services are not described on publicly accessible pages.
Safeguarding and child-protection policies are not publicly disclosed.
1. Admissions Process
Step 1: Begin by completing the Admission Form and Fees Agreement (the waiver form) and submitting it with all required signatures. The document outlines the enrollment terms and confirms that you agree to the school's policies, including how fees are handled. This step starts the formal enrollment process and sets up the file for your child. Please note that this form is the starting point for enrollment and ties directly to the next steps in the process.
Step 2: Prepare and submit payments of all required fees as part of the enrollment. The school offers several payment options and specifies that payments can be made by cash, card, cheque, or other accepted methods. If a cheque is issued and bounces, you'll have 24 hours to replace it, and a penalty applies. The payment method you choose will be tied to the assessed tuition and any additional fees noted in the agreement.
Step 3: Complete the student's file with detailed information. The enrollment packet requires extensive data for the student and guardians, including the student's name, birth date, place of birth, gender, languages, religion, nationality, address, and guardian details. It also asks for the father/mother information, contact numbers, occupation, and email, as well as information about siblings and the student's previous school and its contact number. This data collection forms the core of the student's official file and is necessary before enrollment can proceed.
Step 4: Undergo the formal assessment as part of the enrollment. The Admissions document includes an “ASSESSMENT” section that records a tuition fee, a down payment, a mode of payment, and a payment scheme. While the exact amounts are not filled in the document, this step confirms how tuition and payments will be structured for your child's enrollment.
Step 5: If you place a payment, your child's slot is secured. The document states a “NON-REFUNDABLE” policy and notes that once you have paid, your child's slot is secured and books/materials will be ordered. This is intended to be fair to students on the waiting list.
Step 6: After enrollment is offered and accepted, complete the final enrollment requirements. Officially accepted students must settle tuition and all related fees, and ensure the student's file is complete. Withdrawals and refund terms are also defined in the document, including that all fees are non-refundable and non-transferable unless otherwise stated by the school policy.
Note: The Admissions page also indicates a “CLICK TO ENROLL” action and provides general payment options, but it does not publish current tuition amounts online. The publicly available material is older (the Admission Form and Fees Agreement pertains to 2021-2022). The page itself was published several years ago, and exact current tuition figures have not been published in this online material. For context, the site lists payment schemes and notes that fees are subject to change without prior notice.
3) Scholarships
There is no published information about scholarships in the current admissions and fees materials. The available documents describe tuition, payment options, and refund policies, but they do not describe any scholarship programs, merit awards, needs-based aid, or related processes. The Admission Form and Fees Agreement refers to tuition rates and fees being available upon request, but it does not outline any scholarship offering. Based on these sources, there is no documented scholarship program in the publicly accessible admissions materials.
2) Waitlist/Pool
Yes, a waitlist exists. The enrollment documentation states that the school aims to be fair to students who are on the waiting list. This implies that some applicants are kept in a waiting pool and considered for openings as they arise. When a space becomes available, the school communicates with the parents/guardians and requires tuition and fees to be paid to secure the place. The waiting list language also indicates that the non-refundable payment policy applies to those on the waitlist who secure a slot.
Details beyond this (such as specific waitlist order, duration, or how seats move from waitlist to offer) are not published in the available materials. Parents should plan on the possibility of a wait period and monitor communications from the school for any space availability and enrollment offers.
Starland International School operates a multi-campus system across the Philippines. The Kamias Campus is at 148 Kamias Road, Brgy. East Kamias, Quezon City, and a Caloocan City campus is also listed. Other campuses are in Butuan City; Cagayan de Oro City; Davao City; and Cebu (Lapu-Lapu City). Additional branches in Isabela province (Santiago City and Cauayan City) were opened between 2017 and 2022.
The Kamias and Cebu campuses offer Preschool, Elementary, Junior High School, and Senior High School, reflecting a K-12 structure. The school's campuses collectively provide these four levels across locations.
Private and non-sectarian. The school operates as a private institution and is described as non-sectarian in external coverage. Boarding facilities are not indicated in official materials.
The school features a Learning Support Program to address diverse learner needs. Admissions note that a Health Certificate may be required for students with special conditions or needs, and a recommendation from a prior counselor or principal may be requested in some cases.
There is no formal country affiliation listed; the campuses are spread across the Philippines, indicating a national network rather than a country-specific affiliation.
No formal religious affiliation is stated. The school is described as non-sectarian, though events such as First Holy Communion are noted in school activities.
The school operates four modalities: Face-to-Face (F2F), Online Distance Learning (ODL), Homeschooling, and Blended Learning. On in-person campuses, classes run Monday–Thursday with Fridays set aside for asynchronous learning; this pattern is reflected across campus sections. Start/end times are not publicly published.
A school bus service is not listed in public materials. The school provides multiple campus locations with contact details but no published bus arrangements.
Uniforms are part of student attire. During registration, assistance to fit and purchase school uniforms is provided.
Starland International School is owned by Starland International School, Inc. The founder and president is Dr. Jean Dumago-Descallar. The network includes campuses across Luzon, Mindanao, and Visayas.
Starland International School offers a full K–12 curriculum with four learning modalities: Face-to-Face, Online Distance Learning, Blended Learning, and Homeschooling. Medium of instruction is English; Nihongo and Spanish are offered as foreign languages, with small class sizes (Preschool 15, Elementary 30, High School 35) and VR-powered lessons in face-to-face settings. Preschool focuses on readiness for Grade 1, including early reading, basic math, cursive writing, basic geography, and integrated values education. Elementary (Grades 1–6) covers literacy, writing and dictation, mathematics, science with a Science Research Project for Grades 4–6, and robotics, with journalism and communication and early foreign language exposure. Junior High School (Grades 7–10) continues foundational training with advanced mathematics and science, English communication skills, journalism & speech, public speaking, enhanced Nihongo and Spanish, and robotics. Senior High School offers strands STEM, ABM, HUMSS, GAS, and TVL–ICT, with TESDA certifications in ICT pathways, to prepare students for college and global citizenship.
Starland International School states that inclusive education is the first priority, with a goal of intellectual, social, physical, and emotional progress at high standards. The school runs a Learning Support Program to address the diverse learning needs of its learners. The campus culture emphasizes values such as hard work, independence, and collaboration, contributing to a warm and supportive environment. There is evidence of a safe environment with a clear stance of non-tolerance to bullying, as reflected in parent testimonials. Extracurricular activities and culture, including sports, arts, and clubs, are described as part of campus life to foster teamwork, creativity, and confidence.
The school emphasizes inclusive education as a priority and provides a Learning Support Program. Small class sizes are listed (Preschool 15; Elementary 30; High School 35), supporting individualized attention. The school does not publicly disclose which specific kinds of SEN it can support or whether it operates as a specialist SEN institution. The available information does not specify dedicated SEN staff roles such as a dedicated SEN coordinator. Inclusive education and values formation are highlighted as core aspects of the school's approach.
English is the medium of instruction and communication at Starland. The school states English as first language. Foreign languages offered include Nihongo (Japanese) and Spanish. No explicit EAL program or EAL-specific support is publicly described. Therefore, EAL need is not publicly disclosed; the English-first approach suggests emphasis on English proficiency.
The site does not publicly disclose any dedicated mental wellbeing program. The academics page describes inclusive education and holistic learning, indicating a focus on social-emotional development. Campus life sections mention extracurricular activities, sports, and clubs intended to foster teamwork, creativity, and confidence. There are references to a safe environment and non-tolerance to bullying in parent testimonials. No explicit mention of school-based mental health professionals is publicly disclosed.
Admission requires a Health Certificate from a Registered Physician for special conditions, and a Certificate of Good Moral Character. The site mentions safety-related activities such as Emergency Awareness Seminars for SIS learners. There is a parent statement about non-tolerance to bullying, indicating safeguarding concerns. Contact details for multiple campuses are provided for safeguarding inquiries. Publicly disclosed safeguarding policies or a formal safeguarding policy document are not available.
1. Online Enrollment Application. Begin by scanning the QR code and filling out the Online Enrollment Application Form. After you submit, the School Registrar will reach out to you to outline the next steps. This initiates the enrollment process and sets expectations for subsequent steps, including documentation and scheduling.
2. Enrollment Requirements and Assessment Scheduling. Enrollment requirements differ for Local and Foreign learners and include items such as the Birth Certificate (PSA copy), photos, and, for some cases, a Report Card or Form 137. An online assessment via Google Meet is available for Preschool to Grade 10 and is free; the assessment is used for student profiling rather than as a gatekeeping admission test. The schedule for the assessment is arranged through the Enrollment Application Form, and you should prepare all required documents in advance.
3. School Fees Assessment and Payment. The Cashier will send a School Fees Assessment and a payment link via email and SMS for Philippine numbers. You can settle the fees through the online link, at a branch, or by bank deposit to Starland accounts (EastWest, BPI, BDO, or UnionBank). There is no reservation fee; to confirm enrollment, pay Php 7,000 for Kamias, ODL, foreigners, Caloocan, or Cebu, or Php 5,000 for Butuan, CDO, or Davao.
4. Certificate of Registration and Registration Procedures. After payment, the School Registrar will issue a Certificate of Registration confirming enrollment. You will be asked to secure an updated Information Sheet for the current school year and, if applicable, to arrange uniforms. For transferees or new students, complete Form 137 (Transferees/New Students) at the Registrar's Office. Foreign learners should prepare additional documents (passport pages, visa/ACR, SSP processing, guardianship affidavits, and related photos) as part of the registration, and the school provides a detailed checklist for these items.
Starland International School offers discounts, vouchers, and subsidies rather than traditional scholarships. Available options include: Residency Discount, Sibling Discount, Privilege Discount (for PWD learners, Indigenous Peoples, Solo Parents, Uniformed Personnel), Starland Legacy Discounts (for alumni or Starland high achievers), and SHS Voucher Discount. The PEAC Subsidy is applicable to incoming Grade 7 students at Kamias Main and Butuan campuses. For Senior High School, ESC Voucher (Grades 7–10 at Kamias/Butuan) and SHS Voucher (Grades 11–12 at all campuses) are accepted, subject to DepEd approval. In addition, Starland runs a 25th Anniversary Early Bird Promo with discounts active roughly from December 1, 2025 to January 31, 2026. Tuition-related details and discounts are described as varying by grade level, location/branch, and learning modality; the Enrollment Application Form provides the initial total amount.
Waitlist or admission pool systems are not published in Starland International School's admissions materials. The enrollment flow is described in a linear sequence—online enrollment, required documents, online assessment (where applicable), fees payment, and registration—without reference to a waitlist or pool process. This absence is documented in the Admissions content that outlines the steps and required documents for Local and Foreign learners.
Aguinaldo International School Manila is located at 1113-1117 San Marcelino Street, Ermita, Manila 1000, Philippines. The campus sits in the central Ermita/Paco area, a densely built urban district with ready access to public transport and local amenities.
The school offers Pre-School, Elementary and High School, including a Senior High School program, with an SPED department available for students with additional learning needs.
Aguinaldo International School Manila is a private, international day school.
AIS opened a SPED program in 2015 to cater to students with special needs, and it maintains a dedicated SPED department; the Senior High School program began in 2016.
AIS does not have a formal country affiliation; it operates as an international school in Manila, Philippines.
No religious affiliation is listed for the school.
The school day runs from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm, with operation including Saturdays.
AIS offers a school bus service; fares start from 4,000 PHP per month for two-way transportation, with the bus arrival at 7:15 am and departure at 4:00 pm.
AIS uniforms consist of a red AIS polo shirt, navy socks, and black shoes with a flat sole; boys wear beige pants or shorts and girls wear beige skirts. Uniforms must be purchased from the school bookstore. Fridays are school spirit days when students may wear jeans with a 'We Y AIS' shirt.
Students may bring healthy lunches to school or avail hot nutritious meals in the dining hall. The hot lunches include rice, vegetables, fruit and meat.
AIS Manila runs Pre-School, Elementary, and Senior High School. Pre-School levels are Nursery (3-4), Kinder (4-5) and Prep (5-6), with a curriculum covering language, arts, math, science and geography and an emphasis on early reading, writing and social development. Elementary curriculum centers on digital literacy, inventive thinking, interpersonal skills and the six facets of understanding (explaining, interpreting, applying, shifting perspective, empathizing, self-understanding) and extends the national curriculum with international standards to prepare students for American colleges and local universities. Core subjects Civics, English, Math and Science are taught in English in an in-house curriculum with small class sizes and differentiated instruction; non-core subjects include Filipino, Mandarin, Art, Music, ICT, PE and Home Economics, assessed by quizzes and performance tasks. The school follows the National K-12 grading system (A, P, AP, D, B) and recognizes achievement with merit certificates and medals. Senior High School offers a General Academic Strand under the DepEd Academic Track.
AIS Manila supports social and emotional learning (SEL) through the Guidance Department, which provides counseling, classroom observations, values education, career planning, and university guidance, and runs anti-bullying campaigns; advisory classes use developmentally appropriate modules to support wellbeing, and Wellness Week activities promote emotional wellbeing.
AIS Manila opened a SPED program in 2015 to serve students with special needs, featuring four SPED tracks (Mainstreaming, Academic Self-contained, Adaptive Self-contained, Functional Academics) and partnerships with occupational therapists, speech therapists, pediatricians and other providers; individualized education plans (IEPs) are developed with regular team meetings to tailor support.
The ESL program is open to non-native English speakers, with Beginners placed in full-time ESL, Intermediates integrated into mainstream classrooms with pull-out support, small class sizes, and a curriculum targeting listening, speaking, reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation.
Mental wellbeing is supported by the School Counselor and Guidance Department through counseling, social skills support and advisory wellbeing content, and is complemented by Wellness Week activities to promote healthy lifestyles and emotional wellbeing.
Safeguarding is addressed via an Anti-Bullying Policy, in loco parentis supervision, and incident reporting; health measures include new-student medical checkups and annual dental checkups, with emergency treatment at Medical Center Manila, all within a closed campus supervised by staff.
1. Initial eligibility and document requirements. Aguinaldo International School (AIS) accepts students from all nationalities. Official transcripts and/or official report cards are required depending on the student's country of origin. Slots can be reserved online and followed up later with the completion of an application form and an entrance exam. Payment of school fees is required for official enrollment.
2. Application materials to submit. The forms required are the Application Form, the Student's Background Information Sheet, and the Parent Interview Form. These forms collect background information and help schedule necessary interviews. After you submit these forms, AIS reviews the materials to determine the next steps in the process. Make sure transcripts and other official documents accompany your submission if requested.
3. Entrance exams and grade placement. AIS administers an external aptitude test and an in-house Math/English test to determine grade placement. There is also a get-to-know-you component that assesses personality, learning style, creativity, and interests. The combined entrance exams take about two hours and can be scheduled between 8am–3pm, Monday through Saturday, in advance.
4. Enrollment payments and discounts. Payment of school fees is required for official enrollment. An early payment discount applies to payments made before June 1. An additional 10% discount is available for cash payments. A sibling discount is applied on the youngest child's tuition: 2 kids = 25%; 3 kids = 50%; 4 kids = 75%; 5 kids = 100%.
5. Scholarships available. AIS offers scholarships to new and/or continuing students beginning in Grade 7. There are two kinds of scholarships: Athletic (for competitive swimmers) and Academic (for valedictorians). To apply, request a scholarship application form at the admissions office.
6. Final steps and inquiries. After completing the required steps and being informed of placement, families proceed with enrollment and fee payment to secure the place.
AIS offers two scholarships beginning in Grade 7: Athletic (for competitive swimmers) and Academic (for valedictorians). Scholarships are available to new and/or continuing students, and applicants should request a scholarship application form at the admissions office.
AIS does not publish a waitlist or pool policy in its admissions materials. There is no publicly described waitlist process on the admissions page. Prospective families should contact the admissions office to confirm current waitlist status and availability.
