Schools & Education in the Philippines: Expat Guide

Moving to the Philippines with school-age children raises the biggest question of any relocation: where will they study, and what will it cost? The short version — options range from nearly free public schools to international schools that rival London or New York pricing, with very good local private schools in between. Here's the honest overview.

The three main school types

Public schools are free and follow the national K–12 curriculum under the Department of Education (DepEd). Instruction is a mix of English and Filipino, and classes can be large (40+ students). Some public schools accept foreign students, but most expat families treat this as a fallback rather than a first choice.

Local private schools are the middle path and the most popular option for long-term expats on a budget. Fees typically run 30–60% cheaper than international schools — often ₱60,000–₱250,000 per year (roughly $1,000–$4,300) depending on the city and the school's reputation. Quality varies a lot, so visit in person and ask other expat parents.

International schools offer IB, American or British curricula, full English instruction and university counselling aimed at overseas universities. The price tag matches: International School Manila lists annual tuition of roughly $31,000 (preschool) to $48,000 (high school) for SY 2026-27, plus a one-time $4,500 matriculation fee. Brent, British School Manila and Cebu International School sit in a similar — if slightly lower — band. Outside Metro Manila and Cebu, international options thin out quickly.

Costs at a glance (2026)

• International schools: ~$10,000–$48,000 per child, per year, plus one-time fees
• Established local private schools: ~₱60,000–₱250,000/year ($1,000–$4,300)
• Budget private schools / provincial towns: often under ₱50,000/year
• Public schools: free tuition; expect costs only for uniforms, supplies and transport

Budget rule of thumb: two kids at a mid-tier private school costs less than one child at a top international school — with a very different classroom experience on each side.

Curricula and language

The national K–12 program (DepEd) teaches in both English and Filipino, and graduates leave with strong conversational English. International schools offer the IB continuum, the American curriculum (including AP), or the British system (IGCSE and A-Levels). If your child may return to your home country's system later, ask schools directly how credits transfer — this is where international schools earn their fee.

Admission requirements and paperwork

The baseline DepEd requirement is a PSA-issued birth certificate (or, for foreign children, the equivalent civil document from your country) — since DepEd Order 017 s. 2025 it's submitted once for the whole K–12 journey. Schools typically also ask for:

• Passport (child and parents) with valid visa status
• Previous school records / report cards — apostilled and, if needed, translated into English
• Certificate of good moral character from the previous school
• Medical records and immunization history
• 2x2 ID photos

One immigration point that surprises families: foreign students generally need school-specific authorization — either a 9(f) student visa or a Special Study Permit (SSP) — and the school must be accredited by the Bureau of Immigration to accept foreign students. Established international schools handle this filing routinely; smaller private schools may not be accredited at all, so ask before paying any enrollment fee.

Practical tips from expat parents

• The school year runs roughly June/August to March/April; enrollment for popular schools opens months earlier and slots fill fast.
• Kindergarten cut-off: children must turn 5 on or before October 31 of the school year.
• Start document legalization (apostilles) before you move — it takes weeks from abroad.
• Visit schools in person; websites rarely reflect the real classroom, the traffic around campus, or how international the student body actually is.

Where the full playbook lives

This article is the overview. The complete premium guide — Schools & Education for Expat Families — covers the school-by-school comparison with current fees, the step-by-step enrollment timeline, the exact document checklist (with apostille details), SSP/visa filing walkthrough, questions to ask on a school visit, and how to handle mid-year transfers between systems.

If schooling is the deciding factor in your move, it's €4.99 well spent:

Schools & Education for Expat Families — €4.99