International School Manila

The Core Philosophy

At the heart of International School Manila's educational approach is a commitment to learner-centered education — a philosophy that places each student, rather than the teacher or curriculum, at the center of the learning experience. ISM's official learning overview states: "The educational experience at ISM places the Learner at the center of everything we do."

This isn't merely a slogan. It shapes how teachers design lessons, how assessment works, how co-curricular activities are organized, and how the school community interacts day to day.

Core Values: A Three-Word Compass

ISM's entire institutional culture is organized around three words:

• Integrity — honesty, ethical behavior, and authenticity in all actions
• Service — a responsibility to contribute to community and the wider world
• Merit — recognition that achievement comes through genuine effort and ability

These values are not peripheral. They inform discipline policies, recognition programs, scholarship criteria, and the school's broader identity as an institution that has served Manila's international community for over a century.

Inquiry-Based Learning and the IB Connection

ISM's pedagogical approach is deeply aligned with International Baccalaureate (IB) philosophy, which emphasizes inquiry, reflection, and the development of internationally minded learners. As the first school in Asia to offer the IB Diploma (in 1976), ISM has decades of experience integrating IB methodology into its curriculum:

• IB Primary Years Programme (PYP): Inquiry-led learning for early childhood and elementary students
• IB Middle Years Programme (MYP): Connects students to real-world issues through interdisciplinary thinking
• IB Diploma Programme (DP): Rigorous pre-university qualification, with 98% of ISM's 2025 candidates earning the full Diploma

American Roots, Global Reach

ISM's mission statement acknowledges its dual identity: "We are an independent, international school with a structure, style and traditions that emanate from the United States and with a curriculum and methodology that reflect the best in worldwide educational research and practice."

This blend — American structure with global methodology — is what makes ISM distinctive. Students benefit from familiar American educational traditions (academic year calendar, grade-level structure, extracurricular culture) while also engaging with internationally benchmarked IB assessments and a curriculum that draws from the best of global educational research.

Putting It Into Practice

The philosophy manifests in concrete ways across the school:

• EAL support (Grades 1–10) ensures non-native English speakers can access the full curriculum
• Learning Support Center provides specialist assistance for students with additional needs
• Co-curricular programs in arts, sports, STEM, and service learning extend learning beyond the classroom
• Counseling teams at each division support student wellbeing and personal growth
• Inquiry-based projects and IB assessments replace rote memorization with critical thinking

Origins and Early Years

International School Manila (ISM) traces its roots to June 21, 1920, when a small group of American and British expatriate parents established the American School, Inc. in Manila. With just 50 students and 8 teachers working in borrowed church space, the founders sought to replicate a rigorous U.S.-style education for their children living abroad in the Philippines.

Wartime Resilience and Postwar Growth

The school survived the catastrophic disruptions of World War II — a period that saw Manila devastated and many institutions shuttered permanently. In the postwar era, ISM relocated to Donada Street, then moved again to Makati in 1961 as the city's international population grew and demanded more space and resources.

Becoming Truly International

By 1970, the school's student body had grown so diverse and cosmopolitan that the institution was formally renamed the International School Manila, shedding its American-only identity in favor of a genuinely global community. This name change reflected a philosophical shift as much as a demographic one — ISM was now educating children from dozens of nations.

A Historic First: The IB Diploma in Asia

Perhaps ISM's most significant milestone came in 1976, when it became the first school in Asia to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. This decision positioned ISM at the vanguard of international education in the region and established a legacy of academic excellence that continues to define the school today. ISM has remained an IB World School ever since, expanding its authorization to include the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Middle Years Programme (MYP).

The Bonifacio Global City Campus

In 2002, after decades in various Makati locations, ISM made its most ambitious move yet — to a purpose-built 7-hectare campus in what would become Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig. This modern campus was designed from the ground up to support ISM's full range of academic, artistic, athletic, and community programs. Facilities include a 920-seat Fine & Performing Arts Theatre, three libraries with 80,000+ volumes, a Design & Robotics Suite, three air-conditioned gymnasiums, a 400m all-weather track, and a dedicated Early Years Center.

Centennial and Beyond

In 2020, ISM celebrated its centennial year — a remarkable milestone reflecting over a century of service to Manila's international community. Today, with approximately 2,465 students from more than 90 countries, ISM stands as the oldest and one of the most respected international schools in Southeast Asia, guided by its enduring motto: Integrity. Service. Merit.

• Founded: 1920 as American School, Inc.
• Renamed: International School Manila in 1970
• First IB in Asia: 1976
• Current campus: Opened 2002, Bonifacio Global City
• Centennial: Celebrated 2020

Curriculum Structure

International School Manila delivers a comprehensive American Preschool–Grade 12 curriculum enhanced by the full suite of International Baccalaureate programmes:

• Early Years / Elementary (Preschool–Grade 4): IB Primary Years Programme (PYP)
• Middle School (Grades 5–8): IB Middle Years Programme (MYP)
• High School (Grades 9–12): IB Diploma Programme (DP) in Grades 11–12; preparatory courses in Grades 9–10

The three-division structure provides clear academic pathways, with each division having its own principal and support team.

IB Diploma Results

ISM's most recent published IB results are striking: in the Class of 2025, 98% of candidates earned the full IB Diploma. This is substantially above the global IB pass rate (approximately 80%) and reflects the school's rigorous preparation and high academic expectations.

Subject Breadth

The High School curriculum offers IB Diploma courses across all six IB subject groups:

• Languages: English, Spanish, French, Japanese, Filipino
• Humanities & Social Sciences: History, Economics, Psychology, Business Management
• Sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Systems
• Mathematics: IB Math courses at various levels
• Visual & Performing Arts: Music, Theatre, Visual Art
• Technology: Design & Technology

Additionally, Advanced Placement (AP) courses are available, including AP Calculus, AP Physics, and AP Statistics, offering further university-level preparation.

Assessment Philosophy

ISM's assessment approach aligns with IB principles — emphasizing formative and summative assessments that measure understanding, application, and critical thinking rather than rote memorization. IB Theory of Knowledge (TOK) is a graduation requirement, encouraging students to reflect on the nature of knowledge itself.

STEM and Technology

The school places significant emphasis on STEM education:

• A dedicated Design & Robotics Suite supports project-based technology learning
• Coding and Robotics clubs extend STEM learning beyond the classroom
• Science labs and a Film Lab with digital media editing suites support applied learning

University Preparation

ISM graduates have a track record of acceptance at top global universities. The school's Inquirer-reported milestone (Class of 2019) noted record acceptance rates at the world's top institutions, reflecting a consistent culture of ambitious university preparation and strong college counseling support.

Location and Setting

ISM's campus is situated on University Parkway, Fort Bonifacio, within Bonifacio Global City (BGC) — Metro Manila's most modern and well-planned urban district. The 7-hectare campus was purpose-built and opened in June 2002, providing ISM with a unified, professionally designed environment for the first time in its history. BGC offers a safe, walkable, and internationally oriented neighborhood context that complements ISM's community.

Performing Arts

ISM's commitment to the arts is embodied in its exceptional performing arts infrastructure:

• 920-seat Fine & Performing Arts Theatre — one of the largest school theatres in the Philippines, equipped for professional-level productions
• Little Theatre — multipurpose performance space with retractable seating
• Amelita M. Ramos Hall — modular performance hall with retractable seating and modular stage
• Music Wing — modern music studios for ensemble and individual practice
• Film Lab — digital media editing suites for student film production

Academic Facilities

• Three Libraries — combined holdings of more than 80,000 volumes, serving Elementary, Middle, and High School divisions
• Design & Robotics Suite — purpose-built technology and engineering workspace
• Science and specialist labs across all divisions
• Early Years Center — dedicated facility for Preschool and Kindergarten students
• Learning Support Center — specialist resource room for students with additional learning needs

Sports and Athletics

ISM's sports facilities are among the best in Manila's international school sector:

• 400m all-weather athletics track
• 3 outdoor playing fields for football, rugby, and field sports
• Indoor sports hall / arena
• 8 tennis courts
• 3 air-conditioned gymnasiums
• Swimming pool (supporting the 200+ member Sailfish swim team)

Campus Life and Atmosphere

The campus atmosphere is defined by its multicultural energy — 91 nationalities coexisting in a single community. The Bearcat Kantina cafeteria serves a diverse menu with cashless BEARCard payment. A school bus network covers routes across Metro Manila, making the campus accessible from most residential areas used by expatriate families.

The campus design promotes movement between activities: students can transition from IB classes to robotics sessions to theatre rehearsals to swim practice within the same compact, well-equipped 7-hectare footprint.

Who ISM Is Looking For

International School Manila describes its admissions goal as making the process straightforward while ensuring each admitted student is well-positioned to thrive in ISM's rigorous, English-medium environment. The school serves students from Preschool (age 3) through Grade 12 (age 17–18), drawing primarily from the expatriate and international communities residing in Metro Manila.

The Application Process

The admissions process involves several stages:

1. Submission of official academic records — transcripts from the student's current or most recent school are required at all grade levels
2. Teacher recommendations — letters from current teachers supporting the application
3. Placement assessments — new students applying to Kindergarten through Grade 12 complete entrance assessments; for Grades 5–12, these include both English and mathematics components; placement in languages (Spanish, French, Japanese, Mandarin) may also be assessed
4. Interview — elementary applicants meet with a school counselor; older students are interviewed by admissions staff
5. EAL placement assessment — non-native English speakers may undergo additional language assessment to determine support needs

English Proficiency

Because all instruction is conducted in English, a strong foundation in English is essential. However, ISM's English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme (Grades 1–10) provides structured language support for students who need it, meaning applicants need not be native speakers to be considered — but they must demonstrate the potential to access an English-medium curriculum.

Selectivity

ISM does not publish an acceptance rate. Given its status as the oldest and most prestigious international school in Manila, demand for places is high, and the school advises early application. No formal waitlist statistics are published.

Filipino Scholarship

One of ISM's most distinctive admissions programs is the ISM Filipino Scholarship, available to Filipino citizen students entering Grade 8 (age 13). Key details:

• Eligibility: Filipino citizens, age 13, applying to enter Grade 8
• Coverage: Substantial portion of tuition (full details in the official brochure)
• Renewable: Yes — supported through Grade 12
• Deadline (SY 2026–27): 09 January 2026
• Type: Need-based merit award

This scholarship is ISM's primary formal mechanism for making its education accessible to talented Filipino students who might not otherwise be able to afford the fees.

Fees Overview

ISM's fees are structured in a combined USD + PHP format:

• Preschool (age 3–4): Approx. USD 9,720 + PHP 306,400 annually
• Grades 11–12: Approx. USD 19,660 + PHP 623,800 annually
• Application fee: USD 600
• Matriculation/enrollment deposit: USD 4,500
• Facilities fee: USD 4,500 (one-time)

No other financial aid or bursary programs are publicly documented beyond the Filipino Scholarship.