International School Manila

1. Review Admissions Guidelines. IS Manila will admit children provided there is space in the grade/program and they demonstrate the ability to benefit from IS Manila's academic program, as determined by interviews, tests and review of past records. They must have no unresolved disciplinary or emotional problems in their previous schools, and they must reside with their parent(s) in the Philippines; any exception must be approved by the School prior to commencing the admission process. The age placement policy sets a September 1 cutoff, and High School students should graduate no later than age 20. If a student completes a grade level after the first semester, they will be placed in that same grade for the remainder of the school year; the School reserves the prerogative to accept or reject any application.

2. PowerSchool Registration. Create a PowerSchool account and begin the Online Application. You will be required to upload documents such as your child's passport, parent passports, previous and current academic records, and, if applicable, any learning support documentation. Once you submit, you will not be able to upload additional documents, which may delay review; you will receive a confirmation email indicating successful submission. To apply for another child, start a new application; you may save and return to complete before final submission.

3. Online Application Requirements. Your PowerSchool Registration account allows you to track the documents received. Review the specific Application File Requirements per grade and ensure that you complete all requirements for the file to be reviewed. It is advisable to submit prior and current academic information along with the required teacher recommendations; administrative documents may be submitted as they become available.

4. Confirmation of a Seat. Admission decisions are generally made after the applicant has taken the appropriate entrance test(s) on site and has interviewed with the relevant School Counselor. The School may make early decisions at its prerogative. If a seat is offered, parents should enroll immediately to secure the place and pay tuition and fees.

5. Enrollment Process. After formal acceptance, the student must complete the Enrollment Process, which requires clearance signatures on the Enrollment Clearance Form from the Admissions Office, the Cashier's Office, and the Health Clinic. The Enrollment steps include: submitting the Student Health Card and Physical Examination Record to the Health Clinic to obtain a clearance signature on the Enrollment Clearance Form; paying tuition and all other school-related fees at the Cashier's Office; submitting the signed Parent and School Shared Agreement; purchasing school uniforms at the Uniform Shop; obtaining school photo IDs at the Security Office and applying for car stickers there; signing up for the bus service at the Transportation Office (optional); signing up for the snack and/or lunch option at the Elementary School Canteen (optional); and submitting a signed General Proxy for the Board of Trustees (optional). All students entering Grades 7-12 must sign the ISM Drug Policy Form; all High School students must sign the Honor Code. For Preschool, the Enrollment Clearance Form may be given to the Preschool teacher.

6. Testing. Tests are usually scheduled to start at 8:00 a.m. in the Admissions Office and include English language skills and Mathematics; for older candidates, testing may include a foreign or modern language such as French, Japanese, Spanish and Mandarin.

7. Interview. All candidates and their parents are required to meet with a School Counselor. The Elementary School Counselor handles teacher placement, while Middle and High School Counselors work out class schedules; High School students and parents may also discuss the International Baccalaureate (IB) program with the IB Coordinator.

Notes. IS Manila follows a Rolling Admissions Policy and accepts applications throughout the academic year; admissions operate with an Admissions Priority Policy and a maximum of nine months' advance applications.

Waitlist/Pool. When a grade or program has no available space, IS Manila maintains a Waitpool. Candidates on the Waitpool are considered for admission as openings become available. There is Admissions Priority consideration, but there is no fixed chronological order within that priority grouping; IS Manila strives for balance in gender, diversity of nationalities, and predictable academic success for the candidate when a space opens. If a space becomes available, parents are advised immediately and asked to confirm continued interest and pay the current tuition and fees to hold the place. The Application Fee remains valid for two academic years for Waitpool applications, and families may roll over an application year if space is not offered (requires a formal rollover request). IS Manila reserves the right to accept or reject any application. One exploratory visit per family is allowed. Guardianship requests follow additional policy by the Superintendent.

Scholarships. Applications for SY 2026-2027 are closed. IS Manila offers scholarships to Filipino citizens who will be thirteen years old on or before September 01, 2026 and who have completed Grade 7; awardees enroll in Grade 8 and continue through Grade 12. The need-based scholarships cover fees such as tuition, matriculation, and book rental, with a possible participation fee for families. Eligibility requires Filipino citizenship, Grade 7 completion, high academic achievement (no grade below 85%), demonstrated financial need, meeting regular IS Manila entrance requirements, strong English proficiency, and good health; only one sibling per family is considered; dual citizens are not eligible. Selection involves an assessment day (8:00 AM–3:00 PM) with English and Math evaluations, followed by home visits and panel interviews; a final decision is based on overall application materials and interviews. Scholarships require acceptance within one week of notification; awardees must cover other student expenses (lunches, uniforms, activities) beyond the scholarship grant; the scholarship spans Grades 8–12 and includes yearly evaluations by the Philippine Scholarship Committee to determine continuation. Dates of examination and interview are January 31, 2026 (8:00 AM–3:00 PM) and March 23–24, 2026 (Interview Day). Scholarship forms include an Application Checklist, Online Application Form, Financial Requirement, Principal's Appraisal, and Certificate of Good Health; report cards/transcripts from Grade 1 onward are required. The program includes ISM Filipino Scholars and the Victoria SyCip Herrera Scholarship Foundation as named components of IS Manila's scholarship ecosystem.