Complete Guide toSchools in the Philippines
From free public schools to elite universities: our detailed ranking of all types of institutions with prices, quality and expert advice.
100+
Schools Listed
🏫
15
Categories Analyzed
📊
All archipelago
Regions Covered
🗺️
1500+
Families Advised
👨👩👧👦
9 institution(s) found
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Philippine Public Schools
PublicPrimary & Secondary
Free Philippine public education system for all resident children.
Free
Throughout the Philippines
Annual Cost
Free
Free + supplies (~$100-200/year)
Advantages
Completely free
Accessible everywhere
Local integration
Tagalog learning
Authentic Philippine culture
Points of Attention
Overcrowded classes (40-50 students)
Variable quality by region
Sometimes limited infrastructure
Teaching mainly in Tagalog
Variable academic level
Detailed Information
Curriculum
K-12 Philippine (Kindergarten to Grade 12)
Languages
Tagalog, English, local dialects
Class Size
40-50 students per class
Facilities
Basic (classrooms, courtyard)
Admission
Free registration for residents
Ideal For
Families on a budgetComplete cultural integrationTagalog learning
Recommended Schools
Manila Science High School - Science excellence
Quezon City High School - Large public school
Rizal High School (Pasig) - Diverse programs
Philippine Science High School - National elite school
Don Bosco Technical Institute - Technical training
💡 These recommendations are based on our field expertise and feedback from the expat community in the Philippines.
🎒
Local Private Schools
Private LocalPrimary & Secondary
Philippine private schools offering better quality than public with local curriculum.
$500-2000/year
Major cities
Annual Cost
$500-2000/year
$500-2000/year depending on school and level
Advantages
Better quality than public
Smaller classes (25-35 students)
Better infrastructure
Personalized follow-up
Extra-curricular activities
Points of Attention
Significant cost
Curriculum remains Philippine
Variable level by school
Mainly local teaching
Limited international recognition
Detailed Information
Curriculum
Enhanced K-12 Philippine
Languages
English/Tagalog (bilingual)
Class Size
25-35 students per class
Facilities
Good (lab, sports, library)
Admission
Entrance tests and interview
Ideal For
Quality/price balanceModerate cultural immersionMedium budget expat families
Recommended Schools
Assumption College (Makati) - Catholic education of excellence
St. Paul College (Manila) - Pauline tradition
Holy Spirit School (Quezon City) - Complete formation
Hope Christian High School (Manila) - Christian values
Immaculate Conception Academy (Marikina) - Renowned academy
💡 These recommendations are based on our field expertise and feedback from the expat community in the Philippines.
🇫🇷
French School Manila
International FrenchKindergarten to Grade 12
AEFE-accredited French establishment offering complete French curriculum.
$5400-16000/year
Parañaque (Greater Manila)
Annual Cost
$5400-16000/year
$5400 (kindergarten) to $16000 (senior year)
Advantages
Accredited French curriculum
Recognized French Baccalauréat
Trilingual teaching (FR/EN/TAG)
Educational continuity with France
Strong French community
Points of Attention
Very expensive
Limited places
Long waiting list
Limited location (Manila)
Little local integration
Detailed Information
Curriculum
French (AEFE) + international certifications
Languages
French, English, Tagalog
Class Size
20-25 students per class
Facilities
Excellent (modern campus, technology)
Admission
French priority, tests by level
Ideal For
French familiesPlanned return to FranceFrench curriculum wanted
Recommended Schools
Lycée Français de Manille (Taguig, Fort Bonifacio Global City) - Only AEFE establishment in the Philippines
💡 These recommendations are based on our field expertise and feedback from the expat community in the Philippines.
🇺🇸
American/British Schools
International AnglophoneKindergarten to Grade 12
International schools following American or British curriculum.
$8000-25000/year
Manila, Cebu, major cities
Annual Cost
$8000-25000/year
$8000-25000/year depending on school and level
Advantages
High international standards
Globally recognized curriculum
Foreign university preparation
International diversity
Exceptional infrastructure
Points of Attention
Very expensive
Very strict selection
Intense competition
Little local culture
High academic pressure
Detailed Information
Curriculum
American/British + IB/AP options
Languages
Main English, optional languages
Class Size
12-20 students per class
Facilities
World-class (technology, sports, arts)
Admission
Standardized tests + portfolio + interviews
Ideal For
International eliteForeign universitiesVery wealthy families
Recommended Schools
International School Manila (BGC) - Complete IB curriculum
British School Manila (Taguig) - British A-Levels
Brent International (Laguna) - American program
Australian International School (Makati) - Australian curriculum
Korean International School (Taguig) - Asian standards
💡 These recommendations are based on our field expertise and feedback from the expat community in the Philippines.
🏛️
University of the Philippines (UP)
Public UniversityHigher Education
Most prestigious and recognized Philippine public university system.
$200-500/year
Diliman, Manila, Los Baños, other campuses
Annual Cost
$200-500/year
$200-500/year + living expenses
Advantages
Best public university
Very affordable
Excellent academic level
Cutting-edge research
International recognition
Points of Attention
Very selective admission
Intense competition
Aging infrastructure
Student overcrowding
Occasional strikes
Detailed Information
Curriculum
Complete programs all disciplines
Languages
English and Filipino
Class Size
Variable (30-100+ depending on course)
Facilities
Fair to good depending on campus
Admission
UPCAT (very selective test)
Ideal For
Affordable academic excellenceResearchBrilliant students
Recommended Schools
UP Diliman (Quezon City) - Main campus, all disciplines
UP Manila (Ermita) - Medicine and health sciences
UP Los Baños (Laguna) - Agriculture and environmental sciences
UP Visayas (Iloilo) - Visayas regional campus
UP Mindanao (Davao) - Southern Philippines campus
💡 These recommendations are based on our field expertise and feedback from the expat community in the Philippines.
🎓
Ateneo de Manila University
Elite Private UniversityHigher Education
Prestigious Jesuit private university, one of the best in Asia.
$3000-6000/year
Quezon City (Manila)
Annual Cost
$3000-6000/year
$3000-6000/year depending on program
Advantages
Top Asian university
Academic excellence
Powerful alumni network
Modern campus
International programs
Points of Attention
Very selective
High cost
Socially elitist
Intense competition
Limited places
Detailed Information
Curriculum
Liberal arts + specializations
Languages
Main English
Class Size
20-40 depending on program
Facilities
Excellent (modern, well equipped)
Admission
ACET + portfolio + interviews
Ideal For
Academic eliteLeadershipPrestigious careers
Recommended Schools
Ateneo de Manila (Loyola Heights, Quezon City) - Main campus
Ateneo Graduate School (Makati) - MBA and graduate programs
Ateneo Law School (Makati) - Prestigious law school
Ateneo Blue Residences - Student housing
💡 These recommendations are based on our field expertise and feedback from the expat community in the Philippines.
💼
De La Salle University
Private UniversityHigher Education
Lasallian university recognized for business, engineering and technologies.
$3500-4000/year
Manila
Annual Cost
$3500-4000/year
$3500-4000/year standard program
Advantages
Excellence in business/tech
Good industry connections
Modern campus
Innovative programs
Employer recognition
Points of Attention
Significant cost
High selectivity
Commercial focus
Competition between students
Less prestigious than Ateneo
Detailed Information
Curriculum
Business, engineering, sciences, arts
Languages
English
Class Size
25-45 depending on program
Facilities
Very good (modern technology)
Admission
DLSUCET + academic documents
Ideal For
Business/tech careersInnovationEntrepreneurship
Recommended Schools
DLSU Taft Avenue (Manila) - Historic main campus
DLSU Dasmariñas (Cavite) - Extended modern campus
College of St. Benilde (Manila) - Arts, design and multimedia
DLSU Science and Technology Complex - Research and innovation
💡 These recommendations are based on our field expertise and feedback from the expat community in the Philippines.
🏝️
International Schools Cebu
International CebuKindergarten to Grade 12
Quality international schools in the Visayas capital.
$6000-15000/year
Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu
Annual Cost
$6000-15000/year
$6000-15000/year depending on school and level
Advantages
International standards
Lower cost than Manila
Pleasant island environment
Established expat community
Close to beaches and nature
Points of Attention
More limited choice than Manila
Limited international flights
Developing infrastructure
Fewer cultural activities
Occasional typhoons
Detailed Information
Curriculum
International curricula (IB, British, American)
Languages
Main English, Asian languages
Class Size
15-25 students per class
Facilities
Good to very good
Admission
Tests + interviews
Ideal For
Expat familiesIsland lifeModerate international budget
Recommended Schools
Cambridge Child Development Centre (Cebu) - British program
Cebu International School - International curriculum
Woodridge International School (Cebu) - US standards
Faith Academy (Cainta) Cebu campus - American Christian school
International School of Cebu (ISC) - IB programs
💡 These recommendations are based on our field expertise and feedback from the expat community in the Philippines.
Advice Based on Your Situation
Every family has different needs. Here are our personalized recommendations.
💰
Budget-Conscious Family
Public schools for total immersion
Affordable local private schools
Avoid tourist areas (higher prices)
Negotiate multi-child fees
Recommended schools:
🏫 Philippine Public Schools🎒 Local Private Schools
✈️
Temporary Expatriation Family
International schools for continuity
Prioritize home curriculum
Check credit transfers
Anticipate return reintegration
Recommended schools:
🇫🇷 French School Manila🇺🇸 American/British Schools
🏠
Permanent Settlement Family
Mix integration and quality
Learn local languages
Premium local private schools
Prepare children for mixed culture
Recommended schools:
🏛️ Premium Private Schools🎒 Local Private Schools
🎯
Excellence-Seeking Family
Target elite universities directly
Premium international schools
Prepare standardized tests
Extra-curricular activities
Recommended schools:
🇺🇸 American/British Schools🎓 Ateneo de Manila University
Understanding the Philippine Educational System
The Philippine K-12 system explained simply for expat families.
🎯
K-12 System
Kindergarten + 12 years of study (6 primary + 4 middle + 2 high school). Mandatory until 18 since 2013.
🌐
Teaching Languages
Tagalog/Filipino and English are the official languages. English dominates in higher education.
📜
Equivalencies
Philippine diplomas are generally recognized internationally. Check with your home country for equivalencies.
Need Help Choosing?
Check out our other guides to prepare your expatriation with children to the Philippines.
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