Before proceeding with the Application Form, please thoroughly review the following school policies and guidelines.
Priority Policy
Families are advised to apply early, since places are limited. Applications are given priority according to the following categories:
- Priority 1 & 2 - Dependents of personnel financially supported by foreign diplomatic and consular missions and duly accredited international organizations residing in the Philippines
- Priority 3 - Dependents of personnel financially supported by companies and organizations not included in Priority 1 and Priority 2 but who are Sustaining Members of the School
- Priority 4 - Dependents of alien personnel financially supported by other established multi-national companies in the Philippines (e.g., banks, airlines, manufacturers, hotel chains, etc.)
- Priority 5 - Dependents of Alumni
- Priority 6 - Dependents of Local Nationals transferring from schools outside the Philippines
- Priority 7 - Dependents of permanent foreign residents; holders of Special Retiree’s Resident Visa (SRRV); Special Investor’s Resident Visa (SIRV) or other special investor zone visas; or those with other businesses not included in the Priorities above and who have already obtained a legal visa
- Priority 8 - Dependents of Local Nationals wanting to transfer from local schools
Please take note of the following:
- Candidates who presently have siblings in school are given priority within their particular category.
- The Application Fee is valid for two academic school years for applications on the Waitpool.
- Parents must request for an Application File to be rolled over at the end of the school year should a space not be offered for the year of application. A rollover is not done automatically.
- It is the responsibility of the parent(s)/guardian(s) to complete the candidate’s Application File and keep it up to date.
- Due to the volume of requests, we can only accommodate one exploratory visit per family.
- It is the School’s prerogative to accept or reject any application.
IB and Grade 12 Transfers
IS Manila offers the two-year IB Diploma Program for Grade 11 and 12. For students that may be transferring to IS Manila whilst enrolled in the IB Diploma Program or as a Grade 12 student, it is imperative that we review the candidate’s selected courses, previous academic history alongside the required Teacher Recommendation Forms to offer your family feedback regarding a transfer. Below is the checklist for feedback. Should the School be able to support your child’s transfer we will require a complete Application File.
You can download all necessary forms on our Application File Forms & Requirements page.
Learning Support
For candidates that are eligible for our Learning Support Services, we require parent(s) to send us information prior to submitting a formal application. Our Admissions Team and Learning Support Resource Team will provide feedback once we have reviewed the required documentation. Without such information the School cannot make the right educational choices for your child or provide the kind of environment in which your child will flourish. ISM's goal is to provide a program that is an optimal match between your child's individual educational needs and the support services available at the school and within the wider community.
Learning Support Additional Documents (if applicable)
Resource/Special Education Teacher Recommendation Form and any special learning/educational support evaluations or assessments, including but not limited to:
- Copies of all diagnostic test reports and results such as an IEP or a learning support profile
- Medical information related to your child's learning
- Notes on speech therapy and other therapeutic support
- Recommendations from specialists for future support
Visa
The primary mission of International School Manila is to educate expatriate students who are temporarily residing in the Philippines with their parents who must have legal residence in Manila. We do not have boarding facilities, nor do we allow guardianship placements without prior approval of the school administration.
Non-Filipino parents of enrolling/enrolled students at ISM must be in one of the following categories:
- Personnel of foreign diplomatic and consular missions residing in the Philippines; Personnel of duly accredited international organizations residing in the Philippines
- Aliens with valid working permits under Section 9(d), 9(g) and 47(a)(2) of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940, as amended
- A permanent foreign resident; or
- Holders of Special Investor’s Resident Visa (SIRV) or Special Retirees Resident Visa (SRRV); or other special investor zone visas
Please note: IS Manila cannot enroll children who do not have appropriate legal visas to reside temporarily in the Philippines with their parents. Tourist visas and short-term Visitor visas are not acceptable for study purposes.
Waitpool
In the event of capacity enrollment at a grade level or in a program, the Admissions Office will maintain a Waitpool. Candidates on the Waitpool will be considered for admission as openings become available. We do have an Admissions Priority consideration, but there is no chronological or predetermined order in which students are selected to fill these openings within that Priority grouping.
We strive to obtain a balance in gender, diversity in nationalities and predictable academic success for the candidate within the programs offered; when a space becomes available, we determine which candidate best complements the class. If and when a space is available in a class or program, the parents will be advised immediately and asked to confirm that they still wish their child to enter ISM. Parents confirming their continued interest in having their child attend ISM will be required to pay the current tuition and fees immediately.
Guardianship
Request for considering applicants under guardianship requires the Superintendent’s approval, which, generally, is contingent on evidence that the student(s) will be supervised by a close relative able to provide the support and care of a family home. A Letter of Appointment for Local Guardian, to be accomplished jointly by the legal parents, ISM candidate, and appointed guardian, is required for approval by the Superintendent before commencing the admission process.
Submit the completed Guardianship Agreement Form along with the application, school records, teacher recommendations, and copies of the parent, child, and guardian’s passports to the Admissions Office. The parents will be informed of the decision as soon as possible.
For the academic year: August 2024 to June 2025