What International School Manila does

International School Manila (ISM) is a non-profit private day school founded in 1920 and headquartered on a purpose-built seven-hectare campus in Fort Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Philippines. It is the oldest international school in Manila and the first institution in Asia to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. The school operates three divisions — Elementary, Middle, and High School — serving approximately 2,465 students from Preschool through Grade 12, with a student body representing 91 countries. Faculty headcount stands at over 220 professional educators, supported by 251-500 total employees including counseling, health clinic, and administrative staff.

The school's core educational product is the IB Diploma pathway supplemented by AP and elective courses, English-as-an-Additional-Language (EAL) support, learning support services, and an extensive co-curricular portfolio including the ICARE service learning program (30 years), Bearcat Career Experience (30+ Manila employer partners), Sailfish Swim Club (200+ members), Fine & Performing Arts, and Bearcat Summer Academy. Technology infrastructure includes PowerSchool for enrollment, a BYOD program for Grades 7-12, four web portals (Parent, Student, Staff, Alumni), and the proprietary BEARCard cashless debit system used across campus dining, the cafe, and libraries.

Revenue is generated primarily through recurring annual tuition and school fees (Preschool to Grade 12), supplemented by charitable annual giving, fundraising for the Filipino Scholarship Program, on-campus commercial services (Uniform Shop, Bearcat Kantina food services, school bus transportation, BEARCard transactions), and Summer Academy enrollment. As a non-profit relying solely on tuition, donations, and fundraising — with no government or religious institutional support — admissions are handled directly through the school's admissions office, supported by virtual tours, international recruitment fairs, and a 200+ member Parent Community Association driving community-led marketing. Foreign-student demand from expatriate families is the primary customer segment, with a secondary need-based Filipino Scholarship Program serving Filipino citizens through Grade 12.

Name

International School Manila

Legal name

International School Manila

Website

https://ismanila.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1920

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

International School Manila is a non-profit private day school in Taguig, Philippines, serving approximately 2,465 students from Preschool to Grade 12 across 91 nationalities. Founded in 1920, it is the oldest international school in Manila and the first IB Diploma provider in Asia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International K-12 Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

International/Global Curriculum Schools (IB, Cambridge, etc.) (EDAJABAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Finance, Budgeting, Procurement & AP/AR (School/District Ops) (EDAJAHAL)

Keywords

• International K-12 education
• IB diploma program
• College preparatory school
• Preschool education
• Service learning program

Headquarters

HQ city

Taguig

HQ country

Philippines

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and School Fees: Primary revenue source from tuition fees for students from Preschool to Grade 12. School fees include tuition, matriculation fees, and other school-related fees.
2. Donations and Fundraising: ISM is a non-profit school. Charitable annual gifts and fundraising activities contribute to yearly operating budget. Donations support Filipino Scholar Program and Disaster Relief Fund.
3. Scholarship Program Support: Need-based scholarships covering tuition, matriculation, and school fees for Filipino citizens. Participation fees required from parents for scholarship awardees.
4. Campus Services: Revenue from Uniform Shop, school bus transportation, Bearcat Kantina food services, and BEARCard debit system.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

International School Manila is a non-profit international day school delivering Preschool through Grade 12 education on a single seven-hectare campus at Fort Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. The school operates Elementary, Middle, and High School divisions with the IB Diploma program, AP and elective courses, EAL and learning support services, athletics, arts, and co-curricular programs, supported by ancillary campus services (uniform shop, bus, food services, health clinic) and digital systems (BEARCard, Parent/Student/Staff/Alumni portals).

Product overview

International School Manila is a non-profit international school offering comprehensive educational programs from Preschool through Grade 12. The school operates three divisions (Elementary, Middle, and High School) on a purpose-built campus in Fort Bonifacio Global City. Its product portfolio includes digital systems such as the BEARCard cashless payment system and multiple online portals (Parent, Student, Staff, and Alumni), alongside educational programs including the IB Diploma program, need-based Filipino Scholarship Program, ICARE service learning initiative, Bearcat Career Experience, Bearcat Summer Academy, and Sailfish Swim Club. A notable student innovation is the Kultibado food waste web app. The school community comprises approximately 2,465 students from 91 countries, with 220+ faculty members serving students from Preschool to Grade 12.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Preschool to Grade 12 Academic Program Comprehensive day-school academic program for students aged 3-18, organized into three divisions (Elementary, Middle, High School) on a single campus, leading to an internationally recognized high school diploma and IB Diploma. Includes EAL, learning support, counseling, libraries, and technology integration.
• Filipino Scholarship Program Need-based scholarship covering tuition, matriculation, and school fees for Filipino citizens ages 12-13 entering Grades 7 or 8, with continued support through Grade 12 graduation. Includes uniforms, meals, and educational devices.
• Bearcat Summer Academy Seasonal summer program offering academic courses, athletics, and enrichment activities (sports, coding, robotics, art, cooking) for students from early childhood through Grade 12.
• Bearcat Career Experience Career exploration program placing motivated high school students in partner companies across Metro Manila for real-world professional experience and skill development.
• ICARE Service Learning Program Service learning program (International Community Actively Responding to the Environment) engaging students across divisions in community and environmental service across Metro Manila and provincial areas.
• Sailfish Swim Club Competitive swimming club for ISM students from Grades 1-12, training in the school's 25-meter 8-lane pool and competing in local and international school meets.
• BEARCard Cashless Payment System Campus-wide debit card system used by students and families for cashless payments at Bearcat Kantina, Bearcat Cafe, and school libraries; managed via online portal, TouchPay machines, and Cashier's Office loading.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% of IB Candidates received the full diploma in 2025
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Special Olympics PilipinascoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 May 2026Long-standing partnership promoting inclusion through unified sports, inclusive youth leadership, and whole-school engagement. ISM recognized as 2026 Unified Champion School.
• Alaska MilkminorOthersBearcat Career Experience partner company providing students real-world career exposure and job shadowing opportunities in the food/beverage industry.
• Asian Development BankcoreOthersBearcat Career Experience partner providing students exposure to international development and finance sector career paths.
• International Labour OrganizationcoreOthersBearcat Career Experience partner offering students insight into international labor and employment sectors.
• Makati Medical CentercoreOthersBearcat Career Experience partner providing healthcare sector career exposure for students.
• Asian Eye InstituteminorOthersBearcat Career Experience partner offering healthcare sector career exposure in specialized ophthalmology.
• Enderun CollegeminorOthersBearcat Career Experience partner providing hospitality and culinary arts career exposure.
• Fairmont RafflesminorOthersBearcat Career Experience partner providing luxury hospitality sector career exposure.
• International Organization for MigrationcoreOthersBearcat Career Experience partner offering international migration and development sector career exposure.
• Makati Shangri-LaminorOthersBearcat Career Experience partner providing luxury hotel sector career exposure.
• Plaza + Partners Inc.minorOthersBearcat Career Experience partner providing architecture/design sector career exposure.
• St. Luke's Medical Center BGCcoreOthersBearcat Career Experience partner providing healthcare sector career exposure at premium medical facility.
• UnileverminorOthersBearcat Career Experience partner providing consumer goods industry career exposure.
• ZaloraminorOthersBearcat Career Experience partner providing e-commerce and retail technology sector career exposure.
• Local Restaurants, Advertising & Development Agencies, Telecommunications Companies, Agri-business Social EnterprisescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners who helped Hailey Yap and Yume Yorita understand real-world challenges in food systems, refine their Kultibado web app, and explore ways to bridge the digital divide for farmers.
• National BookstoreminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPCA collaborates with National Bookstore for annual School Supplies Fair on campus during first two weeks of August.
• Global Recruitment Collaborative (GRC)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRecruitment agency partner for filling faculty requirements. ISM attends GRC recruitment fairs in Bangkok and other locations.
• Search AssociatescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRecruitment agency partner for professional employment. ISM attends Search Associates recruitment fairs in Bangkok, London, Boston.
• Inclusion Revolution Club (IRC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudent-led club promoting inclusion at ISM. Led initiatives such as Neurodivergent Art Exhibit, Saturday Service activities, and Aquathlon.
• Vicky SyCip Herrera Scholarship FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScholarship foundation supporting Filipino scholars with uniforms, school meals, educational devices, and local/overseas school trips in sports, arts, and academics.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Hong Kong International School: Hong Kong International School is a long-established non-profit international school offering American-style curriculum and IB Diploma across K-12. Comparable as a high-tier peer international school in Asia with similar 90+ country student mix and IB outcomes focus.
• International School Bangkok: International School Bangkok is a major non-profit K-12 international school in Thailand offering IB programs to a large expatriate community. Comparable regional peer in Southeast Asia with similar scale, mission, and operational model.
• Chinese International School Manila: Chinese International School Manila provides a Chinese-medium international curriculum K-12 program. Comparable international school competitor serving a subset of Manila's expatriate and Chinese-affiliated families.
• British School Manila: British School Manila is a leading non-profit international school in Taguig/BGC offering a UK-based curriculum from Nursery through Year 13. Direct competitor for expatriate and local families seeking premium international K-12 education in Metro Manila.
• Brent International School Manila: Brent International School Manila is a non-profit Christian-run international school in BGC serving students from Nursery through Grade 12. Direct competitor within the same geography, with overlapping target customer base of expatriate families.
• Singapore American School: Singapore American School is one of Asia's largest and most established non-profit American-style international schools offering K-12 with strong college-prep and IB programs. Highly comparable as a peer premium international school with similar founding history, scale (~2,500+ students), and mission.
• Jakarta Intercultural School: Jakarta Intercultural School is a leading non-profit international school in Indonesia offering IB curriculum to a diverse expatriate community. Comparable as a Southeast Asian peer non-profit international school with similar student body composition and IB focus.
• Australian International School Manila: Australian International School Manila delivers Australian curriculum-based K-12 education in Metro Manila. Directly comparable as a premium international school targeting expatriate families in the same BGC-adjacent geography.

Regional players

• United Nations International School Hanoi: UNIS Hanoi is a non-profit international school in Vietnam offering IB curriculum to a diverse expatriate community. Regional peer in Southeast Asia with similar non-profit mission and target customer base of diplomatic/multinational families.

Others

• International School of Manila (ISM) Alumni Network: Not a competitor, but ISM's global alumni network (chapters in 8 cities including Singapore, London, Boston, NYC) is itself a stakeholder/ecosystem asset that supports brand strength, fundraising, and pipeline — useful as a structural benchmark for similar non-profit school communities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/internationalschoolmanilaph
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/international-school-manila

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about International School Manila