Dear Parents,
We are looking forward to assisting you and your family in your transition to International School Manila. Below you will find important information regarding the School Year 2026-27. All families will have the opportunity to join the Orientation Day on August 4, 2026.
WHO: New Parents (Preschool to Grade 12)
New Students (Grade 2 to 12)
WHAT: New Parent and New Student Orientation
WHEN: August 4th, Tuesday at 9:00 AM
(refreshments served beginning 7:30 AM)
WHERE: Fine Arts Theater (FAT)
All guests are requested to enter the school at Gate 3. Please ensure that you bring some form of ID with you on the day.
For students who have completed their interviews, please ensure that you have submitted your Enrollment Clearance Documentation to the Admissions Office (Parent Shared Agreement, ISM Proxy Form, Drug Policy Form, Honor Code, etc.)
For students who have yet to be interviewed, please email the Admissions Office for your arrival date to secure an interview schedule.
Elementary School
All new families are invited to join the ES Principals on August 4th, Tuesday at 10:00 AM, after the initial New Student Orientation welcome session in the Fine Arts Theater. The purpose of this session is to learn more about the Elementary School and our community, including:
Meet key people in the school
Understand our guiding beliefs
Be provided with key logistical information
Meet other new parents
Grades 2, 3 and 4 students:
Are invited onto campus at the same time, where they will:
take a tour of the school
meet other new students in their grade level
They will join you initially at the welcome session at 9:00 AM, prior to leaving for their school tour with our counselors. You will then collect them at 11:00 AM in their grade-level spaces, following our Elementary presentation.
Preschool, Kindergarten, and Grade 1 parents:
Will receive individual orientation letters, detailing your orientation program—including your separate orientation appointment on the first day of school (August 6th, Thursday). Please note PS, KG, & Grade 1 students do not join parents on New Student Orientation Day.
An email from the Elementary School will be sent to families with the individual session information by early August.
ES Technology Overview
"Getting to Know Our Digital School" will be on August 18th, Tuesday at the ES Lounge, 7:30 AM
ES After School Activities
Welcome to the Elementary School (ES) Activities program! The activities year is divided into four Blocks, each requiring a separate registration period. For general information and a full overview of our program, please visit the Activities Website.
Activity Blocks & Sign-Up Dates
Good to know: Because oversubscribed activities are assigned via a lottery system, there is no need to rush when registration opens.
- Block 1 (9 weeks): August 24 – October 23
- Sign-ups: August 7 – 10
- Block 2 (6 weeks): November 3 – December 11
- Sign-ups: October 9 – 12
- Block 3 (11 weeks): January 4 – March 19
- Sign-ups: December 4 – 7
- Block 4 (9 weeks): March 29 – May 28
- Sign-ups: March 12 – 15
How to Register: When sign-ups open, the Activities Office will email you a direct registration link. Alternatively, you can log on directly to the Activities Website to register.
Special Feature: Saturday Soccer (Season 1)
Students in Kindergarten through Grade 4 can register for Saturday Soccer during the Block 1 sign-up window.
- Time: 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
- Location: ES Field
Schedule:
- August 15: Coaches Seminar
- September 5: Week 1
- September 12: Week 2
- September 26: Week 3
- October 3: Week 4
- October 10: Week 5 (Celebration)
Year Round (YR) Competitive Teams Tryouts: Week of August 17-20 (for ES grades 2-4 only)
- ES YR Team Tryouts will start from August 17th for Gymnastics, Chess, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, and Sailfish Swimming programs. The YR team yearlong training schedule is published on the athletic website and is posted on school notice boards and included on TV screens around campus. Students who make our YR teams train 3 times per week throughout the year and compete in local Manila-based events/competitions. Some teams travel once per year to an overseas competition.
- For the Sailfish swim team, please visit the Sailfish website to view the tryout schedule and skills assessment criteria required for squad selection. Please check the skill criteria before registering.
- Tryouts for our gymnastics team are limited to 36 places, and skill requirements are posted on the Gymnastics page of the athletics website. Please check the skills criteria before registering.
Elementary School Athletics Registration (for grades 2-4 only)
In order to assist students with the organization of the competitive athletics tryout sessions, a YR (year-round sports) registration form link will be sent to all ES grade 2-4 parents on August 6th. A separate Activities Form link will be provided for all activities program block 1 registration.
For further information please see the links below:
Elementary School Office Contact Form
Phone number: 8840.8450
Middle School
All new parents and students will have an orientation on August 4th beginning at 9:00 AM. There will be a technology session in August to help students set up their computers, in preparation for the start of classes.
TECHNOLOGY at ISM Parent and Student Orientations
On Monday, August 3rd, Middle School and High School Students will be assisted with their IT setup after their formal MS/HS orientation session is completed. Support will be offered between 12:45 - 3:00 PM by the IT department in the AMR and the MS Office. If students cannot make this session, please do not worry, as IT orientation will be covered within the MS General Student Orientation sessions that take place on Thursday, August 6th and Friday, August 7th.
Students who arrive after this date or who need further assistance will be able to visit the Middle School and High School EdTech Offices during the first week of school, where they will be assisted with their IT setup needs
BYOD: BRING YOUR OWN DEVICE @ ISM FOR GRADES 7-12
Please be informed that Middle School Students in Grades 7 and 8 are required to bring their own laptops to school each day as per the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program. For more information about the BYOD program, click HERE or read more below.
MIDDLE SCHOOL DATES TO REMEMBER
For students who have completed their interviews and enrollment clearance:
August 3, 2026 (Monday): Class Schedules will be issued by the MS Office via the Parent Portal. Hard copies can be collected from the AMR on Monday, August 3, 2026.
August 6, 2026 (Thursday): Start of Classes
SUPPLY LISTS FOR MS STUDENTS
Please click HERE to view the supply lists for SY 2026-2027.
ATHLETICS AND ACTIVITIES
ATHLETICS:
In August, Middle and High School students have the chance to try out for Volleyball, Soccer and Cross Country for Season One (S1) sports at the start of the school year.
Overview of the key dates for August 2026
MS Season 1 Competitive Team Tryouts: August August 11, 12, 13
- Middle School - August 11, 12, 13 (Volleyball/Cross Country/Soccer)
Season one (S1) team training for MS/HS Volleyball/Cross Country/Soccer teams will begin immediately after tryouts week until mid October. Athletics S1 tryout and practice schedules will be available on the Athletics website, published in Friday parent bulletins, posted on school notice boards, and included on TV screens around campus.
Year Round (YR) Teams Tryouts: Week of August 17-20
- YR Team Tryouts will start from August 17th for: Gymnastics, Chess, Wall Climbing, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, and Sailfish Swimming programs.
YR team yearlong training schedule is published on the Athletic website and is posted on school notice boards, and included on TV screens around campus.
Students who make our YR teams will train 3 x per week throughout the year and compete in local Manila-based events/competitions.
- For the Sailfish swim team please visit the Sailfish website to view the tryout schedule and skills assessment criteria required for squad selection.
- Tryouts for our Gymnastics team are limited to 36 places and skill requirements are posted on the Gymnastics page of the Athletics website.
Middle School Athletics Registration
In order to assist students with the organization of the competitive Athletics tryout sessions, a MS information & registration form link will be sent to all MS parents on August 6th. *A separate Activities Registration Form link will be provided to register for all block 1 Activities program offerings.
MS After School Activities: Please check the Activities website for general information and to see an overview of the Activities program.
- Block 1 (6 weeks): August 24 – October 23
- Sign-ups: August 7 – 10
- Block 2 (10 weeks): November 3 – January 26
- Sign-ups: October 9 – 12
- Block 3 (11 weeks): February 1st – April 2nd
- Sign-ups: January 8-11
- Block 4 (7 weeks): April 12th – May 28
- Sign-ups: April 2-5
For further information please see the links below:
SUMMER READS
Middle School Office Contact Form
Phone number: 8840.8555
High School
All new parents and students entering Grades 9-12 will have an orientation on August 4, 2026.
All new families are invited to join the HS Admin team on August 4th, Tuesday at 10:00 AM, after the initial New Student Orientation welcome session in the HS Faculty Lounge. The purpose of this session is to learn more about the High School and our community, including:
- Meet key people in the school
Meet other new parents including our PRG’s (Parent Representative Group) for each grade level
TECHNOLOGY at ISM Parent and Student Orientations
On Tuesday, August 4th, Middle School and High School Students will be assisted with their IT setup after their formal MS/HS orientation session is completed. Support will be offered between 12:45 - 3:00 PM by the IT department in a designated area of the Kantina. If students cannot make this session, please do not worry, as IT orientation will be covered within the MS General Student Orientation sessions that take place on Thursday, August 6th and Friday, August 7th.
Students who arrive after this date or who need further assistance will be able to visit the Middle School and High School Offices during the first week of school, where they will be assisted with their IT setup needs.
BYOD: BRING YOUR OWN DEVICE @ ISM FOR GRADES 7-12
ISM students in Grades 7-12 are required to bring their own laptop to school to use as a learning tool in the classroom. For information, expectations for responsible use, requirements and frequently asked questions for our Grades 7-12 BYOD program, click HERE.
HIGH SCHOOL DATES TO REMEMBER
For students who have completed their interviews
August 5, 2026 (Wednesday): Class Schedule Distribution Online for Grades 9-12
August 6, 2026 (Thursday): Start of Classes
SUMMER READING ASSIGNMENTS FOR HS STUDENTS
Summer reading is a requirement for all incoming High School Students, thus students should have read the material and completed any accompanying work before the first day of school. This reading will be explored in class the first days or possibly the first few weeks.
USEFUL LINKS FOR HS STUDENTS
ARTS, ATHLETICS AND ACTIVITIES
ARTS & CULTURAL ACTIVITIES:
While most other ISM Arts-based clubs and societies will begin after the High School Club Expo on August 26th, two groups will start earlier:
High School Play 2026 Auditions
The HS Play at ISM is a highly anticipated Season 1 activity, which regularly involves over 150 HS students from all grades onstage, backstage or in the band. An informational meeting will be held on August 6th after school and Auditions will begin on Saturday, August 8th. For backstage roles (tech, stage crew, props, set design, make up & hair/ costume/ promotions) and the band, an application form is posted in the HS Student Daily Notices during the first week of school. Anybody who signs up for crew, band or auditions will be included in some way. The play is performed from October 8th to 10th so students are then free to join Season 2 Athletics and Activities.
High School Model United Nations
Model United Nations (MUN) will have their first meeting on Tuesday, August 11th from 3:05 to 4:45 PM in the Little Theatre (LT). This is because the major events they are preparing for require more time to complete selections for traveling events. There are three main MUN events during Semester One: MUN Locals for all students, SEOMUN in Seoul for 20 students, and IASAS MUN in Jakarta for 14 students. The club is one of the biggest at ISM with around 100 students regularly signing up. Here is a link to the sign up form, which you should do before attending on August 11th. Also, you can follow the club on Instagram @ism_mun and email the club council with additional questions at mun@ismanila.org.
ATHLETICS:
In August, Middle and High School students have the chance to try out for Volleyball, Soccer and Cross Country for Season One (S1) sports at the start of the school year.
Overview of the key dates for August 2026
Season 1 Competitive Team Tryouts: August 6, 7 and August 10, 11
- High School - August 6, 7, 10, 11 (Volleyball/Cross Country/Soccer)
Season one (S1) team training for HS Volleyball/Cross Country/Soccer teams will begin immediately after tryouts week until mid October. Athletics S1 tryout and practice schedules will be available on the Athletics website, published in Friday parent bulletins, posted on school notice boards, and included on TV screens around campus.
Year Round (YR) Teams Tryouts: Week of August 17-20
- YR Team Tryouts will start from August 17th for: Gymnastics, Chess, Wall Climbing, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, and Sailfish Swimming programs.
YR team yearlong training schedule is published on the Athletic website and is posted on school notice boards, and included on TV screens around campus.
Students who make our YR teams will train 3 x per week throughout the year and compete in local Manila-based events/competitions.
- For the Sailfish swim team please visit the Sailfish website to view the tryout schedule and skills assessment criteria required for squad selection.
- Tryouts for our Gymnastics team are limited to 36 places and skill requirements are posted on the Gymnastics page of the Athletics website.
High School Athletics Registration
HS students need to sign-up via an Athletics Registration Form link which will be emailed directly to all HS students on August 3rd when the HS tryouts registration period opens. Follow-up emails will be sent to remind HS students to register before S1 sports tryouts begin on the first day of school. HS students must register in order to be eligible to try out for HS seasonal teams. New students will be unable to register until they have been provided with their ISM email address. New students who would like to try out for S1 sports and are yet to get their ISM email should still attend the tryouts for S1 competitive teams but must register as soon as they get their ISM school email address.
HS After School Activities: Please check the Activities website for general information and to see an overview of the Activities program.
- Block 1 (6 weeks): August 24 – October 23
- Sign-ups: August 7 – 10
- Block 2 (10 weeks): November 3 – January 26
- Sign-ups: October 9 – 12
- Block 3 (11 weeks): February 1st – April 2nd
- Sign-ups: January 8-11
- Block 4 (7 weeks): April 12th – May 28
- Sign-ups: April 2-5
For further information please see the links below:
High School Office Contact Form
Phone number: 8840.8653
Uniform & School Bus
UNIFORM SHOP
The Uniform Shop reopens on weekdays beginning July 20th, Monday until September 4th, Friday. Store hours are 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Starting the week of September 7th, store hours will revert to the regular schedule every Tuesday and Friday from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Please click here to view the options and price list for uniforms.
SCHOOL BUS OFFICE
Operating hours are Weekdays (Monday to Friday) from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Please click here to learn more about the School Bus service.
BEARCard
BEARCARD
ISM uses a full debit system in the Bearcat Kantina, Cafe and the ES, MS, HS Libraries. This debit system provides customers with a cashless payment system once the customer’s school ID has been loaded with funds. Adding funds can be done online via the Parent Portal > BEARCard System, through the Cashier, TouchPay machines or either of the two Kiosks located on campus. To learn more, click here.
International School Manila