Brent International School Manila

The Campus Setting

Nestled within the Brentville Subdivision in Biñan, Laguna — approximately one hour from Metro Manila — Brent International School Manila's main campus spans 26 acres (approximately 10.6 hectares) of lush, green grounds. The campus feels like a self-contained community, with facilities that rival those found at premium international schools across Asia.

Sports and Recreation

The school's sports infrastructure is extensive:

• Indoor swimming pool for competitive and recreational swimming
• 400-metre athletics track for track and field events
• Large gymnasium for basketball, volleyball, and indoor sports
• Baseball field for team sports
• Tennis courts for individual and team competition
• Additional outdoor sports facilities spread across the grounds

Approximately 400 students use the school bus service daily, reflecting the campus's suburban location and the broad catchment area it serves across Metro Manila and surrounding provinces.

Academic and Performing Arts Facilities

• Media Center / Libraries providing research and reading resources
• Theater for performing arts productions and school events
• Science laboratories with modern equipment
• Computer rooms and technology-enabled classrooms
• Music facilities for instrumental and vocal programs

Health and Wellbeing

Brent takes student health seriously. Four full-time nurses and a resident physician are available on weekdays, with clinics located across the campus. This level of medical staffing is significantly above the norm for international schools of comparable size.

A House System That Builds Community

Every new student is assigned to one of three houses — Azure, Emerald, or Gold — and siblings are placed in the same house to build family connection within the school community. The house system fosters school spirit, healthy competition, and a sense of belonging that extends beyond the classroom.

A Legacy Rooted in Mission

Brent International School Manila traces its origins to 1909, when Bishop Charles Henry Brent — an American Episcopal missionary — established Brent School Baguio in the highlands of the Philippines. The school was founded with a dual purpose: to provide rigorous, quality education and to nurture students in a Christian, ecumenical spirit of justice and charity.

From Baguio to Biñan

While the Baguio campus remains operational (along with a Subic campus), the Manila campus developed separately and eventually found its permanent home in Brentville Subdivision, Biñan, Laguna — approximately one hour south of Metro Manila. The sprawling 26-acre (approximately 10.6 hectares) campus reflects decades of investment in facilities and infrastructure.

IB World School Since 1986

One of the school's defining milestones was its recognition as an IB World School in 1986, making it among the earliest institutions in Southeast Asia to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. This early adoption of the IB curriculum underscored the school's commitment to internationally recognized, rigorous academic standards.

WASC Accreditation and Sustained Excellence

Brent Manila is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), a hallmark of quality for US-curriculum schools worldwide. Combined with affiliation with EARCOS (East Asia Regional Council of Schools) and recognition by the Philippine Department of Education (DepEd), the school operates within a robust framework of accountability and continuous improvement.

Episcopal Roots, International Community

Despite its deep Episcopal heritage, Brent Manila today welcomes students from more than 40 nationalities, with approximately 62% of the student body being international. The Christian, ecumenical character of the school is woven into daily life — not as denominational exclusivity, but as a foundation for values of responsibility, service, and global citizenship. This blend of tradition and diversity is what makes Brent's history particularly distinctive in the Philippine international school landscape.

The Brent Philosophy

At the heart of Brent International School Manila's educational approach is a conviction that quality education and character formation are inseparable. The school operates within a Christian, ecumenical tradition — rooted in the Episcopal Church but open to all faiths — and seeks to develop each student as a "responsible global citizen and leader."

Understanding by Design (UbD)

Academically, Brent's curriculum is structured around the Understanding by Design (UbD) framework, a research-based approach to curriculum planning that begins with the end in mind. Teachers design units by first identifying desired learning outcomes (the "big ideas" and essential questions), then determining appropriate assessments, and finally planning learning experiences. This approach promotes deep understanding over rote memorization.

Expected School-wide Learning Results (ESLRs)

Brent uses Expected School-wide Learning Results (ESLRs) as the cornerstone of student development. These school-wide outcomes define what a Brent graduate should know, understand, and be able to do — academically, socially, and ethically. Assessment is standards-based, using banded benchmarks that align with these ESLRs.

Service, Justice, and Charity

Beyond academics, the school's mission explicitly emphasizes the practice of justice and charity. Service learning and community engagement are embedded in the school culture, reflecting the Episcopal tradition of caring for others. Students are encouraged to look beyond their own communities and consider their responsibilities as global citizens.

Celebrating Diversity

With over 40 nationalities represented, Brent's diverse student body is itself a pedagogical resource. The school actively celebrates multicultural perspectives, offering language support in French, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, and Filipino in addition to its English-medium instruction. This multicultural environment prepares graduates not just for university, but for life in an interconnected world.

When to Apply

Brent International School Manila operates rolling admissions — there is no single hard deadline. The admissions office typically begins accepting applications for the following school year around November, with the primary admissions season running from November through April. Mid-year transfers are welcomed when vacancies exist.

The Assessment Process

The entrance experience is calibrated by age and grade level:

• Early years and lower grades: A simplified, age-appropriate assessment focusing on basic literacy and numeracy
• Grades 3 and above: A structured entrance test covering math, reading, writing, listening, and speaking
• Students with limited English: If English proficiency is insufficient, applicants may be assessed in mathematics only, with English proficiency evaluated separately
• Writing samples may be requested for older applicants

Applicants are also required to submit recent report cards and other supporting documents. Interviews (in-person or remote) are scheduled after the initial document review.

Selectivity and Waitlists

While Brent does not publish acceptance rate data, the school is considered selective by Manila international school standards. Waitlists exist for oversubscribed year levels, particularly in the lower school. Families are advised to apply early to maximize placement probability.

The Matriculation Fee

Upon acceptance, families pay a Matriculation Fee of USD 3,000 (non-refundable) to confirm enrolment. Tuition fees range from approximately PHP 154,664 (FS1, youngest year) to PHP 418,900 (Grade 12), denominated in Philippine Pesos.

Joining a House

One of the distinctive features of the Brent admissions experience is that every new student is immediately assigned to a house (Azure, Emerald, or Gold) — a community identity that stays with them throughout their time at the school. Siblings are placed in the same house, reinforcing the school's emphasis on belonging and family continuity within the community.

A Truly International Student Body

Brent International School Manila is home to students from more than 40 nationalities, making it one of the most diverse international schools in the Philippines. Approximately 62% of students are international (expatriate or foreign passport holders), while 38% are Filipino nationals — a balance that creates a genuinely multicultural environment rather than a school dominated by any single nationality.

Key nationalities represented include Korean, Chinese, Indian, British, and Australian communities, alongside significant American and Filipino populations.

University Destinations

Virtually 100% of Brent graduates proceed to university, a remarkable outcome that reflects both the school's academic rigour and its strong college counselling support (via NACAC membership). Destination data reported by third-party sources suggests:

• ~63% of graduates enrol at universities in the United States
• ~12% proceed to universities in the United Kingdom
• ~10% choose universities across Asia
• Remaining graduates attend institutions in Europe and elsewhere

Language-Rich Environment

Beyond English-medium instruction, Brent offers language learning in French, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, and Filipino, reflecting the diverse linguistic backgrounds of its student community. ESL/EAL support is also available for students who are still developing English proficiency.

Staff and Scale

With approximately 1,105 students and 117 teachers, the school maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of roughly 9:1 — well below the averages at many international schools of comparable size. Class sizes average approximately 18 students, allowing for meaningful teacher-student interaction and personalised learning.

A Campus Community in Brentville

Located within the gated Brentville Subdivision, the school's campus has a close-knit community feel. The school bus service connects students across Metro Manila and nearby provinces, with approximately 400 students using school transport daily. This shared commute, combined with the house system and vibrant extracurricular programme, contributes to a strong sense of school identity and belonging.