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Greatstart International School Manila is located at 187 Dona Soledad Ave. Extension, Better Living Subdivision (BLS), Paranaque City, Metro Manila. The school sits in the Better Living neighborhood and is accessible from the South Luzon Expressway via the Bicutan exit; it is described as being beside Nuat Thai and Alfamart. This location places the campus in southern Metro Manila, convenient for families relocating to or residing in the area.
Classrooms are organized by age: Toddlers (18 months to 2 years), Nursery I (2–3 years), Nursery II (3–4 years), Pre-K (4–5 years), Kindergarten (5–6 years), School Age (up to 12 years), and Summer Camp (2–12 years).
The school operates as an international early-learning program that serves preschool through school-age students; it runs as a day program (no boarding is listed). The daily schedule aligns with a daytime model, with school hours Monday–Friday.
Greatstart International School Manila is described as inclusive; decisions about admitting students with special educational needs are made by Center Directors based on individual assessments. Some students may receive full-time support from a Learning Support Assistant.
The school aligns with American education standards and guidelines, reflecting a United States affiliation.
No religious affiliation is indicated in the available materials.
School days run from 7:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday, with programming that covers early childhood through school-age activities.
The school offers bus service through an accredited provider, Iskulbus. Families should contact Iskulbus directly for enrollment and scheduling details.
A school uniform is required for all students. Casual wear is allowed for certain events.
The school uses a house system with house-based competitions. Activities include parent–child themed house events and classroom competitions such as 100 Days of School and pumpkin carving.
Greatstart International School Manila is part of the Greatstart Early Learning network. Each center is led by a Center Director. The brand was founded in the United States by Johanna and Peter Badenhop.
Greatstart International School Manila uses the GR.A.C.E. Learning Program (Greatstart Academic Curriculum for Excellence), a proprietary, cross‑curricular curriculum based on The Creative Curriculum for Preschool and aligned with state and national early‑learning standards. The program uses ongoing observation and assessment to tailor Learning Foundations, with plans for individuals and groups that emphasize creativity, social development, early literacy and numeracy, with English as an Additional Language (EAL) support available. The curriculum blends Montessori‑inspired elements with structured, explorative activities to prepare children for transition to elementary school and to develop critical thinking. Curriculum provision is organized by age‑based classrooms: Toddlers (16 months–2 years), Nursery I, Nursery II, Pre‑K, Kindergarten, School Age (up to 12 years), and Summer Camp. The Manila site follows an August–May academic year, with a May Summer Camp and a Headstart Preparatory Camp in June–July, and the program is positioned to support readiness for elementary education, with documented performance outcomes reported for the US network.
Greatstart Manila emphasizes social development as part of its GR.A.C.E. curriculum and daily practice, aiming to foster confidence and social skills in students. The program highlights a Western-style approach to social development to help children become confident participants in learning. The International Student Experience Program provides a two-week social immersion at a U.S. location to develop social skills in an international context and support language development. The school describes its environment as warm, supportive and creative, which underpins social and emotional learning. Center Directors and trained teachers guide both academic and social development, and there is emphasis on partnering with parents to support students' social growth.
Greatstart Manila is described as an inclusive school. Decisions about admitting children with special educational needs (SEN) are made by Center Directors based on the extent to which the school can meet the student's needs. Individual assessments are required, and a recent Educational Psychologist's report is often requested to ensure the school can cater for the student. Some students are admitted on the condition that they receive full-time support from a Learning Support Assistant. The SEN information does not specify a named SEN category or a specialist SEN facility, indicating the school is not positioned as a dedicated SEN specialist institution.
The school is an all-English language school and provides English as an Additional Language (EAL) support. During evaluation, the prospective student's language ability is assessed to determine EAL needs, ensuring access to the curriculum. EAL support is available through the school, and parents are encouraged to continue using and developing their native language at home to support learning. The program is designed to accommodate students who are not yet fluent in English rather than replacing their home language.
The Manila campus describes learning as taking place in a warm, supportive and creative environment, which underpins students' mental well-being and holistic development. The GR.A.C.E. program and its social-skills focus contribute to resilience and confidence as part of well-being. The International Student Experience Program supports social skills development and cultural exposure, which can positively affect students' social-emotional well-being. The school relies on trained staff, including Center Directors and teachers, to guide academic and social growth within this supportive framework. There is no separately named, publicly disclosed mental health program beyond these social-emotional supports.
The Manila pages do not publicly disclose safeguarding and child protection policies.
1. Schedule a Tour. School Tours are typically 30 minutes to 1 hour long. Families should call the numbers listed to schedule a tour appointment, or inquire online, to arrange a visit. The tour allows families to view the facilities and ask questions about the school and its programs.
2. Register Your Child. Because slots are limited, use the Online Application for Admission form since slots are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. The Application for Admission form can be requested during the school tour or by contacting the school administrator.
3. Admissions Evaluation and Interview. Once the Admissions Evaluation and Enrollment Deposit fees have been paid, families will be contacted for Assessment scheduling. The initial assessment helps inform high-quality instruction tailored to the child's learning needs and can be conducted during the school tour.
4. Acceptance. An Enrollment Packet, including information such as parents' and child information and health records, is provided upon acceptance. Families can opt to visit the school or be contacted for orientation prior to their child's start date.
There is no scholarship information published on the admissions pages. The materials describe the admissions steps and age requirements but do not mention any scholarship programs.
The school describes an open admissions policy with applications accepted year-round and spaces reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no published waitlist or pool system. This implies no formal waitlist beyond the standard first-come, first-served approach.
GESM is on the Eurocampus at 75 Swaziland Street, Better Living Subdivision, Parañaque City, 1711, Metro Manila, Philippines. The two-hectare campus is shared with the Lycée Français de Manille and is part of the European International School complex on Eurocampus. The location places the school in southern Metro Manila with campus facilities that serve both schools on the same site.
GESM offers Kindergarten through Grade 12. From Kindergarten to Grade 10, students are enrolled in either the German Section or the English International Section; Grades 11–12 offer the IB Diploma Programme (DP) or the IB Career-related Programme (CP), taught in English and German.
GESM is a co-educational, secular, non-profit international day school. It operates on a two-section model (German and International) and does not provide boarding facilities.
GESM runs an Additional Needs Programme (ANP) to support students who require extra help beyond regular classroom instruction. Identification is through assessments, teacher observations, and family consultations. Support includes in-class or small-group/individual sessions and modified goals, with placement decided case-by-case; some support may incur additional fees.
GESM is a German government-recognized school abroad and is part of the network of German Schools Abroad; it is also a UNESCO Associated School. This reflects its official German government oversight and international accreditation.
GESM operates as a secular institution with no religious denomination affiliation. Ethics is mandatory, and students or parents may opt for Religion as an alternative.
All classes start at 7:30am. Kindergarten through Primary finish at 2:00pm each day; Secondary typically finishes at 2:00pm on most days and 3:30pm on some days. Afternoon clubs run 2:00pm–3:30pm, and supervised after‑care is available for Primary students until 3:30pm; a school bus service is available.
GESM outsources accredited bus providers for door‑to‑door transport with a bus attendant on each vehicle. Billing is arranged directly between families and the bus companies. Routes cover numerous areas around Makati, Parañaque, Alabang, and beyond, with published quarterly rates by area; current rates can be confirmed by the school. The transportation page lists area coverage and corresponding providers.
GESM is a day school with no boarding facilities. A school bus service is available on request, capable of picking up and dropping off at the doorstep to suit family needs. Families should confirm routes and availability with Admissions.
There is no formal uniform requirement. Students may wear regular everyday clothing, with GESM sweaters and shirts available for purchase and to be worn on field trips or as directed by staff.
The canteen is operated by Kitchen City and offers a varied menu that includes proteins, salads, snacks and vegetarian meals. Parents can pre‑order meals via the Kitchen City app, and students pay on site with a Meal Card that can be reloaded by parents online.
GESM uses a House System. In English Primary there are four houses: Bremen, Berlin, Münster and Frankfurt. The Grundschule will have two houses. Secondary houses are named after Philippine islands and animals: Bohol Sharks, Boracay Scorpions, Cebu Cobras and Palawan Eagles. House activities include sports, quizzes and charity drives, with House Leaders organizing activities and a year-end House Cup.
GESM is a non‑profit organisation governed by a volunteer Board of Directors elected by the German School Association Manila (GSA). The Board oversees strategic priorities, budget and major projects, while day‑to‑day management is led by the Head of School. GESM forms the European International School, Inc. (EIS) together with Lycée Français de Manille, with the GSA acting as liaison with authorities.
From early years (Kindergarten and Vorschule) through Grade 10, German European School Manila runs two parallel sections defined largely by medium of instruction: German and English. The German section follows a German curriculum, while the English section uses English-language instruction with English Early Years and English Primary following the IB Primary Years Programme, and a Cambridge IGCSE pathway in secondary. In Grades 5–10, the German stream leads to Realschulabschluss or Hauptschulabschluss after Grade 9 or 10, while the English secondary stream concludes with IGCSE in Grade 10 and DSD I in Grade 9. In Grades 11–12, both streams converge on the International Baccalaureate Senior Years, offering the IB Diploma Programme (DP) or the IB Career-related Programme (CP) with instruction in English and German. The IB Diploma Programme comprises six subjects (one from groups 1–5 and a sixth from group 6 or another from 1–5), with a mix of Higher Level and Standard Level courses and core requirements of Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge, and Creativity, Action, Service. GESM positions itself as multilingual and European/international in scope, part of the EuroCampus network, and aligned with IB and German-European standards.
GESM supports social and emotional learning (SEL) through a dedicated guidance counsellor and a strong focus on students' social-emotional development across both German and English sections, including anti-bullying initiatives and empathy-focused programming.
The school runs an Additional Needs Programme (ANP) with a multidisciplinary Student Support Team and Learning Support Plans, and can accommodate mild to moderate intellectual or cognitive impairment, behavioural or emotional difficulties, Specific Learning Disability, Executive Functioning deficits, high-functioning ASD, and Social-Communication Disorder.
The school states that mother tongue and foreign language programmes are available from pre-school, and the English Section Access and Inclusion Policy confirms inclusive support for learners, though a dedicated, stand-alone EAL program is not publicly disclosed.
Mental wellbeing is supported by the on-site School Clinic, which has two full-time nurses and offers health counseling and wellbeing-focused services, and guidance-led SEL activities such as anti-bullying and empathy programs.
Safeguarding and child protection are addressed with a zero-tolerance policy for abuse, plus 24/7 campus security monitoring and a school clinic, with clear procedures in place for safeguarding concerns.
1. First contact. Interested families should reach out to the school and/or arrange a campus visit. The school welcomes inquiries and invites families to take a look at the campus and programs before deciding.
2. Submission of primary requirements. Start the process by submitting the online application form, the last two report cards or development reports, and the Confidential Student Evaluation Form completed by the child's previous homeroom teacher. For Kindergarten and Pre-Primary (ages 3–5), download the appropriate form; for Grade 1–12, use the form intended for older students. These documents help the school assess the child's prior learning and readiness.
3. Assessment and interview. After the primary documents are received, the child is scheduled for an assessment interview with the head teacher of the relevant department, which may be online or on campus. Students entering Grades 6–9 may also take an admissions test in Mathematics and/or English before the interview. Special arrangements are possible for Grades 10 and up.
4. Submission of the application form and other requirements. Complete the rest of the enrollment requirements, including Form I-C Physical Examination Form, Form I-DEx (optional), Form I-F Confidential Student Evaluation Form, copies of last two reports, birth certificate, passport, Philippine visa stamp (if applicable), immunization record, parents' passports, and a digital ID photo. All documents must be submitted in German or English; translations should be verified by the issuing body or an embassy-accredited translator.
5. Approval and enrollment. Once the forms are submitted and the student is assessed by the Head Teacher, the family receives an official admission confirmation from GESM. The letter will note any pending forms or requirements that still need to be completed.
6. Payment of fees. Following admission confirmation, an invoice is issued by the accounting office with the amount due and payment deadline. The school accepts cash, cheque, or bank transfer, and payment details are on the invoice.
7. First day of school. After fees are paid, the teachers or the secretariat contact the family with information about the first day of school, required materials, and other logistics.
8. Age requirements. Kindergarten can begin at age three if the child is toilet-trained, weaned, and can eat independently. Children progress from Kindergarten to Vorschule/Pre-Primary and then to Grade 1, with promotions based on age cut-offs (five turning five before August 31 advances to Vorschule, six turning six before August 31 enters Grade 1). Exceptions to the age rules can be made after discussion with the teachers.
Scholarships: No scholarship program is documented on the school's published admissions or fees materials. The School Fees page lists the membership, entrance, and refundable deposit, plus tuition in Euro and PHP, with notes on currency options and payment timing, but it does not describe any scholarship awards or eligibility.
Waitlist/Pool: There is no published waitlist or enrollment-pool procedure described in the admissions materials. The process published for enrollment moves from initial contact to required documents, assessment/interview, approval, and then enrollment, subject to available spaces.
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.
The school is located at 339 Robinson Circle, Capt. Henry Javier Drive, Oranbo, Pasig City, 1600 Philippines. The Pasig City location places it within the greater Manila area, along a residential-urban corridor. The campus address is the main point of contact for inquiries and visits.
VCIS offers preschool, elementary (grade school), high school, and college preparatory education. The school began a Homeschool Program two years after its 2010 rebranding to Victory Christian International School.
VCIS is a co-educational day school. There is no boarding facility advertised for any year group.
Public information about Additional Learning Needs (SEN) provisions is not listed on VCIS materials. The school emphasizes Christian character, academic excellence, and leadership development rather than publicly detailing SEN support.
No formal country affiliation is listed. The school operates in the Philippines as VCIS.
Religious affiliation is Christian (non-denominational). The school is founded and operated within a Christian framework.
The school day typically runs from around 7:00–8:00 AM to 4:00 PM; some listings show 8:00 AM–5:00 PM. Exact start and end times vary by grade level and campus.
VCIS does not publish a dedicated school bus service. Families should plan transport through local public options; the campus is accessible by nearby public transit, including jeepneys and bus routes in the area.
The school was founded in 2000 as Victory Christian School by Victory, a non-denominational Christian church, under Bishop Manny Carlos. In 2010 it became Victory Christian International School and began offering its Homeschool Program.
Victory Christian International School offers basic and college preparatory education with an emphasis on Christian character, academic excellence, and leadership development. The curriculum is Biblically integrated and framed by a Biblical worldview, with Bible incorporated across subjects and a strong focus on character formation. VCIS Online provides a full virtual campus anchored on that Biblically integrated curriculum, with synchronous and asynchronous learning, daily homeroom mentorship, and structured student engagement. Integrated Hybrid offers weekly in-person activities alongside online classes to balance online learning with hands-on work. The Excellence Track provides after-school programs in arts, music, sports, and languages, including Mandarin, keyboard, dance, taekwondo, violin, and vocal technique. VCIS serves primary through high school levels and began offering a Homeschool Program in 2012.
VCIS Online includes daily homeroom meetings to target mentorship, student engagement, and relationship building. The online and hybrid programs also feature a calendar of virtual and face-to-face activities and student clubs with leadership opportunities through the student council. The school's mission emphasizes Christian character, academic excellence, and leadership development, which underpin social-emotional growth through values-based education. The integrated VCIS Online and Integrated Hybrid formats provide interactive, group-learning experiences designed to balance academics with social development. A standalone SEL program is not described in publicly available materials; the described provisions function to support social-emotional development.
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding SEN support. Public materials describe Christian character, academic excellence, and leadership development rather than specific SEN services. VCIS is not described as a specialist SEN institution on publicly available pages. There is no explicit mention of staff such as learning support specialists or SEN coordinators in the available materials. The school does not publicly disclose information regarding accommodations for various learning needs.
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding EAL support. Mandarin is listed as a language program, and English is the language of instruction, but there is no explicit EAL program described. The materials emphasize Biblical principles and Christian education rather than EAL-specific provisions. EAL-specific provisions cannot be confirmed from publicly available sources. Therefore, EAL support details are not publicly disclosed.
VCIS Online includes daily homeroom meetings to target mentorship, student engagement, and relationship building, which supports student wellbeing. The school's mission—emphasizing Christian character and leadership development—contributes to students' wellbeing and resilience. There is no explicit description of a dedicated mental health program or school counselor on publicly available pages. Social connectedness is supported through student clubs and leadership opportunities. A standalone mental wellbeing program is not publicly disclosed on the available pages.
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding safeguarding and child protection policies. Public materials do not provide safeguarding policy details. The contact and program pages do not present safeguarding-specific information. The school presents a Christian leadership framework rather than explicit safeguarding provisions. Therefore, safeguarding details are not publicly disclosed on publicly accessible pages.
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.