The Beacon School vs The British School Manila

	T The Beacon School Manila, Philippines	T The British School Manila Manila, Philippines
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year ₱392,177 - 919,181	Fees / year ₱536,040 - 1,414,215
Age range	Age range 3 - 14 years	Age range 3 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP)	Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP)
Pupils	Pupils 360	Pupils 978
Typical class size	Typical class size 16	Typical class size 22
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2001	Opened 1976
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	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.	Location 36th Street, University Park, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Metro Manila, Philippines. The campus sits within the Bonifacio Global City district, a major international business and residential area. It is near other international schools and foreign embassies, reflecting its international community.
Stages	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).	Stages The British School Manila provides education from Early Years through Senior School. Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stages 1–5 follow the English National Curriculum, with Key Stage 5 offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.
School type	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.	School type The school is co-educational and privately run as a not-for-profit international school.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	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.	Additional learning support BSM offers Learning Support, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy and School Counselling as part of its Student Support Services.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation There is no country affiliation listed; The Beacon School operates as an independent IB World School.	Country affiliation No formal country affiliation is stated; BSM operates as a British international school and is not tied to a single country.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation The Beacon School is secular and has no religious affiliation.	Religious affiliation Religious affiliation: none stated; the school is secular.
School day structure	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.	School day structure School day typically starts at 7:40 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, and at 8:10 a.m. on Thursdays. The day ends around 2:30 p.m. for most year groups, and Nursery ends at 12:30 p.m.
Bus service details	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.	Bus service details Bus service: The school provides a bus service for students.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	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.	Fee details Application fee - Application fee (non-refundable): PHP 30,000. Tuition fees (termly) — amounts payable each term - Nursery: GBP 1,225 + PHP 88,030 per term. Annual equivalent (three terms): GBP 3,675 + PHP 264,090. - Reception – Year 6: GBP 2,440 + PHP 175,520 per term. Annual equivalent: GBP 7,320 + PHP 526,560. - Year 7 – Year 9: GBP 2,745 + PHP 197,365 per term. Annual equivalent: GBP 8,235 + PHP 592,095. - Year 10 – Year 11: GBP 2,885 + PHP 207,560 per term. Annual equivalent: GBP 8,655 + PHP 622,680. - Year 12 – Year 13: GBP 3,230 + PHP 232,385 per term. Annual equivalent: GBP 9,690 + PHP 697,155. Other compulsory or regularly charged fees - Yearbook: PHP 2,500 per family, charged yearly. - Class and individual photos: PHP 1,200 per year (charged yearly). - External examination fees: charged at cost as incurred (these appear as additional charges and are billed separately). - Learning Support Fees (for students who require additional learning support), charged termly by stage: - Stage 2: PHP 24,955 per term (PHP 74,865 annual). - Stage 3: PHP 65,100 per term (PHP 195,300 annual). - Stage 4: PHP 103,075 per term (PHP 309,225 annual). Entrance fee and Capital Development Fee (CDF) - A non‑refundable Entrance Fee is charged and is payable on acceptance; the Admissions Guide for prior years has recorded an Entrance Fee of PHP 339,450. - A Capital Development Fee (CDF) is charged and billed termly; previous published schedules show a CDF of PHP 47,825 per term (applicable Nursery to Year 13) and that the CDF is non‑refundable. Billing schedule and payment terms - Fees are billed and payable termly. There are three terms per school year. Existing students' fees must be paid in full by the first day of each term. - For new admissions, fees are payable according to the due dates shown on the school Statement of Account. Mid‑term admissions are billed pro‑rata for the remaining weeks of the term. The full term tuition is required regardless of the length of time the child attends, except where pro‑rata billing applies for mid‑term starts. - Illustrative term dates and due dates listed in published schedules: Term 1 due in August; Term 2 due in January; Term 3 due in April. Late payments incur interest (example shown: interest at 2% per month for fees not received by the due date) and prolonged non‑payment may result in suspension notices. Refunds and withdrawal terms - Entrance Fee and Capital Development Fee (CDF) are non‑refundable. - Notice of withdrawal must be submitted in writing using the school's Notice of Withdrawal form by the published deadlines; failure to provide the required notice can entitle the school to payment in full for the following term. Academic records and reports are withheld until all outstanding fees (including interest) are settled. - Prior admissions guidance documents state that a Nursery deposit equal to one‑half term's fee is billed on acceptance and may be refundable under the specific conditions listed in the school's enrollment terms (parents should note deposit conditions and deadlines). Boarding - Boarding is not offered; the school operates as a day school and does not publish boarding fees. Other optional / commonly billed services and likely additional costs - Optional services and ancillary costs (examples that are typically charged separately): school lunches, school bus/transport, extra‑curricular activities, overseas trips and specialist courses; these items are billed separately or on request. (Published schedules list yearbook, photos, external exam fees and learning support fees as separate charges.) Payment methods and instructions - Accepted payment channels include bank transfers to named school accounts (examples given include HSBC, UnionBank and Metrobank accounts in the school's collection arrangements). Parents must indicate the student's name on the bank advice and are responsible for any bank charges. - Card payments are accepted (credit/debit) via a card payment link; card payments incur a processing fee (example noted up to 3.2%). - E‑wallet payments (examples shown include Maya and GCash) are accepted as alternative channels in the school's payment options.
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 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.	Curriculum details BSM follows an adapted English National Curriculum arranged into Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Key Stages 1–5. EYFS (Nursery–Reception) and KS1 (Year 1–2) use play-based learning with phonics (Letters & Sounds) and Year 2's Inquiry Projects to build foundational literacy and numeracy. KS2 (Years 3–6) develops knowledge through concept-based learning around topics such as interdependence, systems and change, supported by the Learning Power Approach and a Well-Being Framework. KS3 (Years 7–9) delivers a bespoke British National Curriculum taught by subject specialists with emphasis on global citizenship. KS4 (Years 10–11) follows a two-year International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) programme, with students choosing subjects to achieve breadth and depth for university study. KS5 (Year 12–13) offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), comprising six subject groups and a core of Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay and Creativity, Activity and Service, with Higher and Standard Level options.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	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 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.	Admissions 1. Submit an Enquiry. Submit your enquiry via the Admissions Enquiry Form. The Admissions team will respond to your enquiry with information and the next steps in the admissions process. Applications are processed throughout the year, subject to space availability. 2. Admissions Briefing/School Visit. To ensure you have the information you need, a briefing and a school visit are offered as part of the application process. The briefing typically lasts between 15 and 30 minutes, while the visit lasts about 60 to 90 minutes. Because briefing and visit appointments are limited, they are scheduled in line with application priorities, and advance booking is required. 3. Submission of Application Requirements. To process the application, provide a complete application form and health record for each child, school reports covering the past two years (with a grade translation and current English/Math work if from a non-British system), and the details of your current school for online reference forms. Include copies of the child's birth certificate and passports ( Applicant and Parents ), recent photos, and an application fee payable prior to invitation for review/assessment. 4. Review of Application Requirements. The Admissions team, together with the Primary and Senior School teams, will review the submitted documents and the application form to determine readiness for assessment. This review assesses documentation completeness, language proficiency considerations, and alignment with available spaces. 5. Invitation for Assessment. An applicant will be invited to proceed with assessment if recommended after the review. Invitations are issued by the Admissions team in accordance with the school's assessment plan for the relevant year level. 6. Assessment. The assessment duration varies by year group: Nursery–Reception about 1 hour; Year 1–2 about 1–2 hours; Year 3–6 about 1.5 days; Year 7–13 about a full morning with a 15-minute interview. The school may request additional days if further assessment is recommended. 7. Decision. The Admissions team will inform families of the decision regarding their child's application, indicating whether a place is offered, the child is placed in the wait pool, or the application is declined. Wait pool placements depend on space and pass of entrance assessments.
Scholarships	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.	Scholarships BSM Taguig Scholarship Programme (BSMTSP). The British School Manila operates the BSM Taguig Scholarship Programme to help excellent, but financially disadvantaged Senior High School and college students in Taguig obtain higher education from the top schools in Metro Manila. The programme provides augmented services and supports scholars with seminars/workshops and pastoral guidance, and the committee monitors career movements after graduation to support ongoing development. Current scholars are being supported by the programme, and the initiative has supported scholars for about 20 years. Since it began, the programme has funded a total of 55 scholars, with 24 current scholars noted on the page.
Waitlist	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.	Waitlist Wait Pool and Admissions Priority. A wait pool process is in place. Once admissions by year level have reached the maximum class size, the following Admissions Priority Procedures apply, subject to the student applicant successfully completing the entrance assessment. Priority categories determine order of consideration: Category 1 – Dependents of British diplomats and Commonwealth diplomats; Category 2 – Commonwealth nationals resident in the Philippines by expatriate employment status; Category 3 – Siblings of enrolled students not in Category 1 or 2; Category 4 – Dependents of families not included in Categories 1–3.
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