International School Fees in Manila: 2026 Cost Guide for Expat Families

Quick answer: how much do international schools in Manila cost in 2026? Annual tuition runs from roughly PHP 300,000 at smaller international schools to roughly PHP 1.8 million in the IB Diploma years at International School Manila. The British School Manila and Brent sit in between. Budget another 10% to 25% for one-off entry fees, buses, meals and the student permit.

Last reviewed: October 2026 by Emma from ISA. Fee ranges are indicative; always confirm with the school.

Metro Manila has more international schools than most capitals in Southeast Asia, and the price gap between them is wide. Two schools a few kilometres apart in Taguig and Pasig can differ by a million pesos a year for the same grade. This guide to international school fees in Manila sets out what families actually pay in 2026: tuition bands, the one-off charges that surprise newcomers, and the practical costs of getting a child to school every morning.

The figures below are indicative ranges built from what schools publish and what parents report. Fee schedules change every school year, and several schools quote part of the bill in US dollars, so use this as a planning tool and ask each school for its current schedule before you sign anything.

Where the schools are, and why location affects the bill

Most expat families settle in a small number of areas. Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig is the main hub, with condominiums, offices and two of the best known schools, International School Manila and The British School Manila, on neighbouring plots along University Parkway. Makati, the older business district next door, has the villages of Forbes Park, Dasmariñas and Urdaneta, where many embassy and senior corporate families live. Ortigas and Pasig, to the north-east, offer lower rents and a cluster of smaller international and progressive schools.

Further south, the Bay Area in Parañaque and Pasay, around Aseana City, has grown fast and hosts Nord Anglia International School Manila. Alabang and the province of Laguna beyond it suit families who want a house with a garden; Brent International School has its main campus in Biñan, Laguna. Traffic on EDSA and the C5 road is the hidden cost here. A school 15 kilometres away can mean an hour in a car, so the bus fee, the driver and the time all belong in your budget.

Curricula on offer in Manila

International Baccalaureate (IB): the most common route at the top schools, with the IB Diploma in Grades 11 and 12 and, at some schools, the Primary and Middle Years Programmes.
English National Curriculum: British schools follow it from the early years to IGCSE at 16, then A Levels or the IB Diploma.
American curriculum: US-style programmes with Advanced Placement courses, often combined with the IB at Christian or Episcopal schools.
Philippine K to 12 with an international track: some private schools follow the Department of Education (DepEd) programme and add international qualifications, usually at a lower price point.

Five international schools and what they charge

International School Manila

ISM, on University Parkway in BGC, is the largest and best known international school in the country, with a student body drawn from dozens of nationalities. It describes its community as a single global one, uses an international curriculum and offers a very wide range of programmes and activities, finishing with the IB Diploma. It is also the most expensive option. Expect annual tuition of roughly PHP 1.2 million in the early grades rising to roughly PHP 1.8 million in high school, plus a one-off development or capital fee for new students that can run to several thousand US dollars. Many corporate packages are written around ISM fees, so check your allowance against its schedule first.

The British School Manila

Established in 1976 and also on University Parkway in BGC, The British School Manila welcomes more than 900 students of over 40 nationalities each year. It follows the English National Curriculum through IGCSE and then the IB Diploma. Tuition runs roughly PHP 1.0 to 1.6 million a year depending on the year group, with a one-off entrance fee or debenture-style payment for new families. It suits British families and anyone who wants a structured, exam-focused route with a smaller feel than ISM.

Brent International School Manila

Brent's main campus is in Brentville, Biñan, Laguna, south of Alabang. It is an Episcopal school that aims to be a living international community where young people of different nationalities, cultures and religions learn from one another. Programmes combine an American-style curriculum with the IB Diploma. Tuition is noticeably lower than in BGC, at roughly PHP 700,000 to 1.2 million a year, and the campus is a natural fit for families in Alabang, Nuvali or elsewhere in the south. From Makati or BGC, the commute is long.

Nord Anglia International School Manila

Nord Anglia International School Manila sits on Bradco Avenue in Aseana Business Park, in the Bay Area, and educates children aged 2 to 18 across Early Years, Primary and Secondary. It belongs to the global Nord Anglia group, which brings shared programmes and exchanges with sister schools. Annual tuition runs roughly PHP 700,000 to 1.1 million, which places it below the BGC schools while offering a modern purpose-built campus. It works well for families living in Parañaque, Pasay or the southern part of Makati.

Reedley International School

Founded in 1999 and based on Jose C. Cruz in Pasig, Reedley is a smaller, family-oriented international school serving Ortigas and the eastern side of the metro. Its fees are among the most accessible on this list, at roughly PHP 300,000 to 550,000 a year. It is worth a visit if you are paying without an employer allowance, or if you value small classes and a closer relationship with teachers over a big campus.

What to budget beyond tuition

Across Manila's international schools, tuition is only part of the bill. Families typically meet these extra costs:

Application and testing fee: roughly PHP 5,000 to 15,000, non-refundable, paid when you apply.
One-off entry, development or capital fee: from tens of thousands of pesos at smaller schools to several thousand US dollars at the largest ones, charged once per child.
Refundable deposit: some schools hold one, returned when your child leaves with proper notice.
School bus: roughly PHP 60,000 to 150,000 a year, depending on distance and whether the route crosses EDSA or C5.
Meals and snacks: usually paid through a canteen account, often PHP 3,000 to 6,000 a month.
Uniforms, devices, trips and exam fees: laptops from middle school, overnight trips and IB or IGCSE entries in the final years.
Special Study Permit: most foreign pupils below college level need an SSP from the Bureau of Immigration, renewed each year and usually processed by the school for a fee. Ask whether your visa category changes this.

One calendar fact to know in 2026: DepEd returned public schools to a June to March year, with School Year 2025-2026 opening on 16 June 2025. Most international schools in Manila still run from August to June, so if your child is moving between a local and an international school, check how the overlap affects grade placement and the first fee instalment.

Practical tips for managing school costs in Manila

Ask which part of the bill is in dollars. Some schools charge tuition in pesos but development fees or deposits in US dollars, so a weaker or stronger peso changes what you pay. If your salary is in another currency, ask whether you can pay the full year upfront and whether there is a discount for doing so.

Read the refund policy before paying the deposit. Relocations to Manila often happen on short notice and can be cancelled on short notice too. Check what happens to the entry fee and the first term's tuition if your posting falls through, and whether siblings receive a discount on the one-off fees.

Price the commute, not just the tuition. A cheaper school across the city can cost more once you add a private driver, fuel and two hours a day in traffic. Many families choose the school first and then rent within 20 minutes of it, which is often the most effective way to control the total cost of schooling here.

Compare schools across the Philippines

Once you know your budget, compare curricula, reviews and locations side by side in our ranking of the best schools in the Philippines, then ask your top three for their current fee schedules.

More guides to schools in Manila

Frequently asked questions

What is the most expensive international school in Manila?

International School Manila in Bonifacio Global City is generally the most expensive, with annual tuition of roughly PHP 1.2 million in the early grades rising to roughly PHP 1.8 million in high school, plus a one-off development fee for new students. The British School Manila follows closely. Always request the current schedule, since fees change every school year.

Are there affordable international schools in Manila?

Yes. Smaller international schools in Pasig, Ortigas, Quezon City and the south of the metro charge roughly PHP 300,000 to 600,000 a year, well below the BGC schools. Reedley International School in Pasig is one example. Check accreditation, class sizes and which qualifications pupils leave with, since these vary more at lower price points.

What extra costs should I expect besides tuition in Manila?

Plan for a non-refundable application fee, a one-off entry or development fee, the school bus, canteen meals, uniforms, a laptop and exam fees in the final years. Foreign pupils usually also need a Special Study Permit from the Bureau of Immigration each year. Together these extras often add 10% to 25% to the tuition bill.