Philippines, Manila
Let the school know you're thinking of applying — they can share their prerequisites and help you through the process.
It's best to ask — circumstances can change at any time.
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.
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.
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.
The Beacon School is an independent, non-profit, secular IB World School in Makati that serves students from Pre-K through Grade 8. It follows the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) for Pre-K to Grade 5 and the Middle Years Programme (MYP) for Grades 6 to 8, with the school positioned as the first in the Philippines authorised to deliver both PYP and MYP. The programme is delivered in a Filipino context, anchoring learning in Filipino culture and language while engaging with a global IB framework. The curriculum integrates Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, and Mathematics through transdisciplinary Units of Inquiry, and includes Filipino language development and language electives such as Spanish and Mandarin. A broad co-curricular program runs alongside academics, including after-school activities in the arts, sports, music, coding, and more, with service learning through community projects. The campus is located in the Magallanes area of Makati, central Metro Manila, and the school has grown to support a community of over 300 students.