We have seen a recent shift in the choice considerations of a considerable number of expatriates or assignees who plan to relocate in the Philippines. This is driven primarily by changes being made in their company’s expatriate policy and benefits. Companies are now looking for other alternatives due to the substantial cost of sending the children of their expatriates to international schools. At the moment, the companies support 100% of the tuition fee for each dependent of the assignee.
You may refer to the matrix attached below for a profile of select international schools that most expatriates send their children to in Manila, Philippines.
| School | Curriculum | Approximate Tuition Fee | Other Fees (USD) | School Year | Contact Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| International School of Manila | American; IB | $15,550 plus PhP 500,000 | Application Fee $450 ; Matriculation Fee $3,500.00 | August 2018 - June 2019 Enrollment - All Year Round | ismanila.org |
| The British School Manila | British; IB | £ 6,270 plus Php 594,465 | Application Fee Php 22,000; Entrance Fee Php 310,000 | August 2018 - June 2019 Enrollment - All Year Round | enquiries@britishschoolmanila.org |
| Brent International School | American; IB | $9,120.00 - Php 418,900.00 | Application Fee $200.00; Matriculation Fee $3,000; ESL $1,210.00 | July 2018 - June 2019 Enrollment Ongoing | brent.edu.ph/about/ |
| Domuschola International School | American; IB | Php 376,100.00 | Matriculation Fee Php 50,000.00- for foreign students | August 2018 - May 2019 June - Start of Enrollment | dis.edu.ph |
| Cebu International School | American; IB | $2,870.00 - Php 527,700.00 | Reservation Fee Php 40,000.00 ; Entrance Fee Php 250,000.00 | August 2018 - June 2019 Enrollment Ongoing | info@cis.edu.ph |
| Canadian American School | American; IB | $13,600.00 | Registration Fee $200.00; Assessment Fee $300 - $1000 | August 2018 - June 2019 Enrollment Ongoing | info@canamschool.org |
| Everest Academy Manila | American; IB | Php 474,250.00 | Application Fee Php 3,400.00; Matriculation Fee Php 49,500.00; Reservation Fee Php 30,000.00 | August 2018 - June 2019 | everestmanila.com/ |
| German European School Manila | American; IB | 5,070.00 € - Php 460,000.00 - Php 646,000.00 | Membership Fee 150 €; Entrance Fee Php 130,000.00 | August 2018 - May 2019 | hesm.org/ |
| MIT International School | American; IB | Php 229,162.00 | Application Fee Php 3,000.00; Entrance Fee Php 40,000.00; Miscellaneous Fee Php 49,000; Reservation Fee Php 40,000.00 | August 2018 - June 2019 | mitis.edu.ph/ |
| Reedley International School | American; IB | Php 278,000-298,000.00 | Reservation Fee Php 75,000.00; Tuition Fee Php 187,265.00-Php 217,385.00; Micellaneous Fee Php 90,735.00-Php 80,615.00 | August 2018 - June 2019 Enrollment Ongoing | reedleyschool.edu.ph/ |
| The Beacon International School Foundation | British; IB | Php 578,000.00 | Registration Fee $200.00; Assessment Fee $300 - $1000 | August 2018 - June 2019 Enrollment Ongoing | beaconschool.ph/ |
| The Chinese International School Manila | American; IB | Php 468,000.00 | Matriculation Fee Php 75,000.00; Application fee Php 3,500.00; Miscellaneous Fee Php 25,000.00 | August 2018 - June 2019 | cismanila.org/ |
| Nord Anglia International School Manila | American; IB | Php 990,521.00 | Application Fee Php 22,000.00; Enrollment Fee Php 170,000.00 | August 2018 - June 2019 | nordangliaeducation.com/our-schools/philippines/manila/international |
| Center of International Education | K-12 | Php421,000.00 | Placement Test Fee Php 1,200.00 | August 2018 - June 2019 | cie.edu |
| Enderun | K-12 | Php 225,000.00 | Reservation Fee Php 10,000.00 | August 2018 - June 2019 | enderuncolleges.com |
With the changing expatriate policies being implemented by (or yet being explored by some) companies worldwide, we have received questions on the cost of sending children in PRIVATE Schools vs. INTERNATIONAL School, how much support can the company give to expatriates (50% vs 100%), if they can enter in the middle of a school term, and if units from the previous school will be accredited in the new school.
There is an abundance of good reputable private schools in the country . However, and in truth, the main factor to consider is the difference on the Philippine curriculum vs. their home country or their previous host country.
- International schools are beneficial for children of expatriates who transfer from one work location to another in a span of 2 to 5 years as it is assumed that the curriculum is the same. They can enter at any time in the school terms whereas in private schools, DepEd (Department of Education) require students to start the grade level from the start of the school term.
- Foreign children who enter private schools might have to retake some subjects in order to advance or qualify to the next grade level since the curriculum is the different. The shift from international to private is not as easy as there are some students who used to perform well in their previous school but had difficulty passing their grades in the private school.
- While most private schools also use English as a vernacular, there are at least 3 subjects conducted in the local language or dialect whereas in international schools, subjects are all delivered in English. Foreign students may enroll in a Filipino language class in order to catch up or remain competitive. Filipino (one of our main languages) is considered a foreign language in the international schools and is not required.
- There is also the fact that most private schools in the Philippines are run by religious organizations. Although the schools do not force the children to convert or to practice the traditions, religion is a required subject. Religion is not a subject in international schools.
Given the challenges the child/ren will face in entering a new school let alone a new country with a different culture and traditions, we recommend that it would be best to enroll foreign students in an international school.
The reasons highlighted above gives you a preview of how it could impact the total well-being of the student for the entire duration while on assignment in the Philippines. Not only will the child be affected but the entire family as well. This will run totally against what we in the Destination and Relocation Industry strive for: To ensure that the assignee and his/her dependents settle-in seamlessly and without any issues, as doing so will allow:
- Assignees to fully concentrate while on assignment thus , assuring 100% productivity at work, which is good for the Business;
- Spouses likewise are more productive whether at work or in volunteer organizations thus, preventing any household/domestic conflicts or problems; and,
- Children continuing their educational program in and among the best international schools in the country.