Brent International School Manila vs The Beacon School

	B Brent International School Manila Manila, Philippines	T The Beacon School Manila, Philippines
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year ₱442,877 - 1,046,920	Fees / year ₱392,177 - 919,181
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 3 - 14 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (DP)	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP)
Pupils	Pupils 435	Pupils 360
Typical class size	Typical class size 18	Typical class size 16
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 1984	Opened 2001
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location The Brent International School Manila Main Campus is located in Brentville Subdivision, Barangay Mamplasan, Biñan, Laguna 4024, Philippines. The campus sits about 20 kilometers south of Metro Manila and is accessible via the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) with the Mamplasan exit. The Brent network also includes an IRRI-associated campus in Los Baños that serves younger students (Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 4), located on the IRRI compound south of the main campus. The primary Brent Manila site is the main location for the Early Learning Center through Upper School.	Location The Beacon School is located in Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines. The campus address is 2266 Central Square, Chino Roces Avenue Extension, Makati City 1231. It sits in central Makati with access to major roads and public transport options. Beacon announced a move to a new Makati campus along Pasong Tamo Extension in February 2023, with Phase I opening for Pre-K to Grade 8 in August 2023.
Stages	Stages Brent Manila is structured into four divisions: the Early Learning Center (Nursery–Grade 2), the Lower School (Grades 3–5), the Middle School (Grades 6–8), and the Upper School (Grades 9–12). The Upper School offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme for the final two years.	Stages Beacon School offers education from Pre-K through Grade 8. It is an IB World School authorized to deliver the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and the Middle Years Programme (MYP).
School type	School type Brent International School Manila is a co-educational, day school. It operates two campuses in the Brent network, with no boarding facilities for the Manila campus; the IBO listing specifies the boarding option as DAY.	School type Beacon School is an independent, non-profit, secular and co-educational IB World School. It is an IB World School offering the PYP and MYP; it operates as an independent, non-profit institution.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Brent provides Student Services including learning support and counseling. English language support (ELL/ESL) is offered for non-native English speakers, with inclusion-based approaches to integrate students into the regular curriculum.	Additional learning support A publicly listed SEN program is not described on public pages. The school publishes a Child Safeguarding policy and has a Student Services section that includes onboarding, a community portal, after-school activities, and school conferences, indicating available student support structures.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Brent Manila is part of a Philippine school system historically associated with the Episcopal Church in the Philippines.	Country affiliation There is no country affiliation listed; The Beacon School operates as an independent IB World School.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation The Brent schools operate within a Christian ecumenical environment and have an Episcopal church affiliation in the Philippines.	Religious affiliation The Beacon School is secular and has no religious affiliation.
School day structure	School day structure Typical school days begin around 8:00 a.m. and finish in the mid-afternoon (approximately 2:35 p.m. for Grades 1–12). Nursey/Pre-Kindergarten and early years have shorter or different end times, with after-school clubs and activities available.	School day structure Public pages do not publish start and end times for the school day; the exact timings are provided by the admissions team upon inquiry. The school calendar lists dates and events but not daily hours.
Bus service details	Bus service details A Brent bus service is provided for enrolled students, with routes and schedules arranged through the admissions process. Details on routes, pickup times, and fees are provided during enrollment.	Bus service details Public pages do not list a school bus service for The Beacon School. Families may arrange private transport or other arrangements as needed.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Brent International School Manila — Detailed school fees overview Application and enrolment fees - Application fee: reported as a non-refundable USD 200 per applicant. - One-time matriculation / acceptance/reservation fee: reported historically as a one-time matriculation/admission charge (example: US$1,500 in earlier published Brent fee documents). This fee is charged when an offered place is accepted and is not refundable in most cases. Tuition fees by year group (annual figures and per-term estimates) - Brent uses a dual-currency structure in published summaries (a USD component plus a PHP component). The following are the commonly reported ranges for total tuition per academic year by school division; per-term figures below are calculated estimates assuming a three-term billing structure and are shown as per-term (estimated). - Lower School / Primary (typical reported annual total range): USD component approximately $8,204–$8,784 plus a PHP component in the range reported around PHP 376,812–PHP 403,512, giving an estimated total annual tuition in the range of about PHP 845,000–PHP 906,000. Per-term (estimated): one-third of the annual total. - Middle School / Junior levels (reported totals vary by grade; expect totals similar to or slightly higher than Lower School ranges depending on grade and program choice). Per-term (estimated): one-third of the annual total. - Upper School / Senior (IB / Grades 9–12): reported annual totals fall in a similar overall band (examples of published summaries place upper-school annual totals within the same general range cited above, with variations by grade and programme). Per-term (estimated): one-third of the annual total. - Note on per-term presentation above: the per-term numbers shown are derived by dividing the published annual totals by three to give an estimated termly amount (that division is an inference for presenting per-term values; it reflects a common three-term billing approach used by many international schools but may not exactly match Brent's invoicing periods). Billing schedule and payment terms - Parents are typically invoiced at acceptance and before the student starts; an initial deposit/reservation (matriculation/acceptance fee) is required to secure the place. Reported practice includes a requirement that certain fees (such as the initial deposit and/or first term's tuition) be paid before the student's first day. - Installment options: public summaries indicate Brent has historically allowed installment or staged payment options (examples in older published fee documents show semester/term instalment options). When instalment plans are selected, service charges or policies governing instalment schedules may apply. The school also applies standard policies for overdue accounts and may withhold services or attendance privileges if fees are not paid by stated due dates. Boarding fees (where applicable) - Brent has published boarding fees in earlier fee materials (example historical figure: boarding fees reported in older schedules around US$11,584 for a full-year boarding charge). Specific boarding options and boarding fee amounts (weekly vs full‑board, inclusions such as weekend activities, medical contingency account requirements, etc.) have been shown in past fee documents; the exact current boarding tariff and what it covers should be treated as a separate billed item. Other costs and mandatory fees - Capital Development / Facilities (annual) fee: reported historically as a separate recurring capital development or facilities fee charged to all students (example amounts and currency components have appeared in Brent materials). - English as a Second Language (ESL) / Learning Support fees: reported as additional, non-refundable fees where applicable; older fee schedules list ESL fees by level (example: Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced levels with distinct semester charges). - IB examination fees and external examination costs: charged separately to Upper School students who sit for external IB / international exams; these are billed as incurred. - Textbooks, uniforms, school supplies and field trips: reported as separate charges or one-off purchases. Uniform purchase is typically mandatory and is an additional cost. Extra-curricular activities, music tuition, special subject fees and optional trips are billed separately when applicable. - Security deposit / refundable deposit: historical fee schedules included a refundable security deposit requirement, refunded on completion of the enrolment contract subject to school conditions (return of books/equipment, no outstanding charges). Refund information - Application fee and matriculation/registration fees are generally non-refundable once paid. - Tuition refund rules in earlier published materials: partial refunds for withdrawal within an early period and no refund after certain dates have been used historically (for example, policies in older fee documents specify reduced refunds for withdrawal after term start or specific percentages depending on timing). Tuition and boarding refunds have historically required written one‑term advance notice for full refund eligibility of certain deposits; shorter notice or withdrawal after specified cutoffs reduced or eliminated refunds. These examples reflect earlier published refund scheduling and illustrate the type of policy applied. Payment methods and fee payment options - Reported accepted payment methods in referenced fee summaries include bank transfer / wire, bank deposit, cashier's cheque or bank draft, and credit card in some contexts. Invoice instructions and the school's designated bank account details are used for wire transfers; international USD wire transfers are commonly accepted for the USD component of fees. Payment in local currency for the PHP component has also been described in public summaries and earlier fee documents. Expect a requirement to include reference details (student name / family code) on bank transfers. If you require the school's official, fully itemised and current term-by-term numbers exactly as invoiced for the current academic year, the school's Admissions / Finance office can provide the official fee schedule and final invoice wording for the year and grade in question (the contact address reported for admissions is admissions@brent.edu.ph).	Fee details Application fee - An application fee of PHP 2,500 is payable at the time the completed application documents are submitted. Tuition fees (by year group) Note: The school's published annual tuition structure is shown as a two-part amount (a USD component plus a PHP component). The published annual totals and a per-term estimate (see Billing schedule and note on calculation below) are given here. - Pre-Kinder - Annual: USD 850 plus PHP 344,500. - Estimated per term (annual divided by three terms): USD 283.33 plus PHP 114,833.33. (Per-term figure shown as an arithmetic division of the annual amount; see note below.) - Kinder to Grade 5 - Annual: USD 1,800 plus PHP 760,000. - Estimated per term: USD 600.00 plus PHP 253,333.33. (Calculated by dividing the annual amount by three terms.) - Grades 6 to 8 - Annual: USD 2,000 plus PHP 807,000. - Estimated per term: USD 666.67 plus PHP 269,000.00. (Calculated by dividing the annual amount by three terms.) Billing schedule and payment terms - The school year is organised in school terms (the calendar references Term 1, Term 3, etc.), and admissions and re-enrolment references use a three-term structure. The per-term amounts above are derived by dividing the published annual tuition by three, consistent with the school's three-term academic references. - Once a place is offered, a reservation fee is required by the date shown in the letter of offer to secure a place; the school's admissions information also states that returning-student re-enrolment requires payment of a Returning Students Fee by the date advised by the Board of Trustees. (Specific reservation/returning fee amounts are not published in the accessible admissions text.) Boarding fees - The Beacon School operates as a day school for students from Pre-K to Grade 8; no boarding programme or boarding fees are listed for the Makati campus. Other costs and typical additional fees - School-branded clothing and merchandise (examples and prices): - One Beacon Shirt — Adult PHP 800; Child PHP 650. - Barracudas Shirt — PHP 600. - Ball cap — PHP 500. - Barracudas water tumbler — PHP 900. - (These are sample shop items and prices available from the school shop.) - Co‑curricular activities, field trips and program-specific costs are included in descriptions of the school's programmes; such activities and any related fees (for example, curriculum trips or optional activities) are additional to tuition and merchandise costs. Refund information - The school's public admissions pages specify the application fee, reservation/returning-student payments and that reservation payment secures a place, but no publicly available page or downloadable policy on fee refunds (for application, reservation, tuition or other deposits) was located in the published admissions or policies material accessible on the school pages. The availability and terms for refunds (if any) are therefore not explicitly published in the materials examined. Fee payment options - Bank transfer via Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) is provided as an online payment method with both PESO and DOLLAR account numbers listed for the Beacon International School Foundation. The Enrol/Finance contact information and the BPI account details are published as a school payment method. - The Enrol page provides step-by-step instructions for adding the school as a biller in BPI Online (Manage Recipients → Add recipient → select Biller → BEACON INT'L SCHOOL FOUNDATION; confirm details and submit). The Finance Office contact details are published for payment queries. Summary of evidence and limits of the available public information - Application fee and the requirement for a reservation fee (amount given in the offer letter) are published in the school's admissions information. - Annual tuition amounts by broad year-groups (USD + PHP components) are published in a recent independent parent- guide article that lists the school's published tuition ranges and figures. The per-term numbers above are arithmetic divisions of those annual totals by three because the school's published calendar and admissions pages reference a three-term year; the per-term figures are therefore inferred from the published annual totals and the school's term structure. - The school's Enrol/Finance information explicitly lists BPI bank account numbers and instructions for online payment, and the school shop lists sample prices for branded shirts and items. - What was not publicly available in the pages examined: a detailed official tuition and fees schedule in a single downloadable fee schedule that lists every fee line (for example: explicit reservation fee amount, Returning Students Fee amount, term-by-term billing schedule text, formal refund rules) was not located in the accessible admissions and policy pages. For those specific line items and formal refund terms, the Finance Office contact is provided for direct confirmation.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Brent International School Manila provides an English‑language, Western‑based curriculum for students from early years through Grade 12, with the Biñan campus serving ages 3–18. The school is an IB World School since 1986 and offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in Grades 11–12, alongside the Brent Diploma pathway. Lower School (roughly Pre‑K to Grade 5) follows a North American developmental, inquiry‑based approach with integrated subjects and ESL support delivered through Homeroom and specialist teaching. Middle School (Grades 6–8) provides eight subjects per semester and builds IB readiness with a curriculum including English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Foreign Language, PE, Religious Studies, ICT, Art, and Music. Upper School (Grades 9–12) offers IB Diploma courses at HL/SL and the Brent Diploma, with core IB requirements Theory of Knowledge, Creativity, Activity and Service, and Extended Essay.	Curriculum details The Beacon School Philippines offers the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) for Pre-K to Grade 5 and the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) for Grade 6–8, with high school years planned for the future. It is accredited by the Philippine Department of Education and IB-authorized to deliver PYP and MYP. The PYP uses transdisciplinary units built around six themes (Who We Are; How We Express Ourselves; How the World Works; Where We Are in Place and Time; How We Organize Ourselves; Sharing the Planet), integrating core disciplines and stand-alone subjects such as Visual Arts, Filipino, Music, Physical Education, and Religious or World Religion. The MYP organizes learning around eight subject areas—Language A (English), Language B (Filipino and another language), Humanities, Sciences, Mathematics, Design, The Arts, and Physical Education—guided by global contexts and culminating in a Grade 8 Community Project; Grade 6–7 also includes Religious and Moral Education. Service as Action is embedded across the MYP, with school partnerships for service learning, and the campus is located in Makati with IB School Code 002224.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio Class sizes are designed to be small, with typical ranges reported across Brent campuses as roughly 16–24 students per class depending on level, and ESL support is available as needed.	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression Brent graduates have gained admission to top universities worldwide, including Yale, UCLA, Cambridge, Oxford, Princeton, and Harvard, as well as Philippine universities such as UP Diliman, De La Salle, and Ateneo. The IB/Brent pathways are designed to prepare students for university selection across global destinations.	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented Advanced course options exist within the IB/Brent pathways, with guidance on pursuing Higher Level (HL) courses and multiple diploma options; admissions materials indicate support for students taking heavier course loads (e.g., multiple HLs) for those aiming at prolonged academic challenge.	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning —
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History —
Community	Community —	Community —
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Admissions Process: 1. Submit a complete application with all required documents. These include a completed application form and health form, certified copies of academic records from the last two years, two confidential evaluation forms from a former teacher and a principal or guidance counselor, three passport-sized photos, a birth certificate or Family Registry, a copy of the applicant's passport, and immunization records. If an employer will pay the school fees, include a letter on the employer's letterhead. For foreign applicants, also provide the visa page and a copy of the Alien/Immigrant Certificate of Residence (ACR/ICR). Filipino applicants are welcome, but the Board of Directors limits Filipino enrollment to no more than one-third of the student body. 2. The Admissions Office schedules the testing and interviews once the complete packet is received; testing is standard across candidates and may include language-skills assessments for non-native English speakers. Arrive on time for the testing session, and be prepared for a follow-up interview with the applicant and at least one parent or guardian. 3. After testing, the Admissions Committee reviews results and conducts the interview, with final admission decisions communicated to families. If accepted, families proceed to the next step to secure a space. 4. Upon notification of acceptance, submit the Slot Reservation Deposit (US$500) and sign the Admissions and Enrollment Agreements within the allotted five working days to secure a place in the class. The Admissions Office will provide the enrollment documents and answer any questions about next steps. 5. If a space is not immediately available, the family may be placed in a wait pool. A wait pool deposit (US$600) may be paid to be placed in the pool, but Brent does not guarantee a space will open. The applicant remains in the wait pool for the current academic year unless the family withdraws. 6. If admitted, complete the enrollment process; for those reapplying after a prior application, a mandatory six-month waiting period applies before a new application can be submitted. In all cases, foreign applicants should arrange the required visa-related documents and maintain compliance with Philippine immigration rules. Sources outlining these steps include the documented admissions sequence and the visa/foreign-applicant notes used across Brent campuses.	Admissions 0. Age-Grade Level Placement Information: The Beacon School places new students according to age by the end of August for the academic year, with a clear mapping to grade levels and local/national equivalents. The table shows how ages align to Pre-K, Kindergarten, Grade 1 through Grade 8, and beyond (for the IB structure). Class size limits are 16 students for Pre-K to Grade 3, 17 for Grades 4–5, and 20 for Grades 6–8. This framework guides initial placement decisions and ensures alignment with the school's program. 1. Introductory Tour: Prospective families are welcome to visit The Beacon School for an introductory tour. It is advised to contact the Admissions Office in advance to arrange a visit so you can receive a structured briefing. During the tour, you will get an overview of the admissions process and information about the school; a packet of application forms is provided to take away and study. This visit helps families assess fit before submitting formal materials. 2. Submission of Application Documents and Application Fee: To formalize an application, complete and submit the forms and required documents from the admissions packet to the Admissions Office. If any documents are in a language other than English, provide certified translations in English. You can download the required documents from the admissions packet, and an Application Fee of PHP 2,500 is payable with the submission of all completed documents. 3. Sit-in Visit: After review of the application materials and if there is an available slot in the requested grade level, the prospective student is invited to attend a “sit-in” pre-entry visit at the level applied for (or another level as determined by the Admissions Committee). The sit-in duration equals the length of the school day at that level. The sit-in is a required step and helps assess fit and, where applicable, whether the school has the resources to support a student with particular needs. 4. Academic Testing and Interview: All applicants will have an interview with the Guidance Counselor. Students applying for Grades 4–8 will be tested in Math and English and will write an essay to establish academic readiness. These assessments are conducted on paper during the sit-in visit. 5. Interview with Parent(s): In some cases, after the sit-in, an interview is arranged with the prospective student's parent(s) together with the grade level coordinator and the Head of School to discuss fit, expectations, and any additional considerations. This step ensures parents and the school share alignment on the student's needs and the school's offerings. 6. Offers of Placement and Acceptance: Once the sit-in, testing (if applicable), and committee review are complete, space may be offered. Offers for the following school year are generally issued by early March, with the possibility of earlier offers if space permits. Acceptance decisions are final once communicated. 7. Reservation and Enrollment: After a place is offered, a reservation fee is due by the date indicated in the offer letter to secure the slot. The enrollment process proceeds with the completion of necessary forms and the submission of any outstanding documents. This step formalizes enrollment and moves the family toward the start of the term. 8. Re-enrolment of Returning Students: The school supports returning students who remain in good standing (academic proficiency and behavior per the Code of Conduct). Returning Students Fee must be paid by the date advised by the Board of Trustees, and the reservation fee guarantees space for the following academic year.
Scholarships	Scholarships 3) Scholarships: Brent does not publish a formal scholarship program on its official materials. There is, however, a note in external sources that limited financial aid or discounts may be available to families with proven financial need, awarded at the Headmaster's discretion. Prospective families should inquire directly with admissions about any available financial aid or discount options and the application process for financial assistance.	Scholarships The Beacon School offers The Beacon School Scholarship Programme, which can provide tuition coverage for Grades 6, 7, and 8. Scholarships are awarded based on three pillars: 1) Academic Merit (evidence of strong academic ability, critical and creative thinking, and strong communication; options include above-average ACER (OPI) scores, CAT4 results, stellar school records, an essay, and a teacher recommendation), 2) Financial Need (families must demonstrate need and provide documents such as the current Income Tax Return and a completed Beacon Scholarship Application Form), and 3) Potential Contribution to The Beacon School Community (leadership and evidence of responsible citizenship). Applications and decisions are managed by the Admissions team, and the school can provide more information via email.
Waitlist	Waitlist 2) Waitlist/Pool: Brent uses a wait pool when a seat in the requested grade level is not immediately available. Families may choose to pay a refundable wait-pool deposit to be placed in the pool; there is no guarantee that a space will open. The name of the applicant may remain in the wait pool for the current academic year. If a space becomes available, the school will notify the family, after which the standard acceptance and enrollment steps apply. If a space does not become available, the family may reapply in a future year, subject to Brent's admissions policies. This wait-pool mechanism and its terms are described in Brent's admissions resources.	Waitlist Yes. When a grade-level section is full, prospective students who meet Beacon's admissions requirements are placed on a waitlist. They may be invited to sit in when an opening arises, subject to Admissions Guidelines. This waitlist mechanism allows families to remain in consideration while the school manages space and resources.
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