Independent Living Learning Centre

What Independent Living Learning Centre does

Independent Living Learning Centre (ILLC) is a private, K-12 Department of Education-accredited special education school founded in July 2003 by Prof. Abelardo Apollo I. David Jr. in Mandaluyong City, Philippines. It operates three branches across the National Capital Region (Mandaluyong), Central Visayas (Cebu City), and the Davao Region (Davao City), serving children, adolescents, and young adults with developmental conditions including Autism, Down syndrome, Intellectual Disabilities, Cerebral Palsy, Learning Disabilities, and AD/HD. The school is structured around a multi-tiered academic and transition program: a Modified Basic Academic Program (MBE, K-10), Functional Basic Education (FBE), a Transition Education Program (TEP), SPED Senior High School (Home Economics track), a Job Readiness Program (JRP), and a Work Placement Program (WPP) with named employer partners such as Jollibee, SM Savemore, Mann Hann, and South Star Drug. Adjunct offerings include Occupational, Physical, and Speech therapy services delivered face-to-face, online, or home-based, and a Total Communication Program (TCP) supporting alternative communication.

ILLC's underlying technology stack is modest: a proprietary Student Portal for enrollment and learning management, Google Classroom for distance learning, Google Analytics for site metrics, and digital instructional materials developed through an Atlantic Institute for Health Equity Southeast Asia and China grant that have been distributed free to public schools. In August 2021, ILLC launched a Virtual Special Education Program, reconfiguring its curricula across synchronous, asynchronous, and blended delivery modes in response to COVID-19. The school collaborates with sister school Academia Progresiva de Manila to enable partial mainstreaming with typically developing peers.

ILLC generates revenue primarily through recurring tuition across its K-12 programs and Delivery Modes (In-School, Distance Synchronous, Distance Asynchronous, Blended), plus professional-services fees from Occupational, Physical, and Speech therapy. A one-time PHP 1,500 screening fee applies to all new enrollees, and socialized tuition plus flexible payment terms are available for families economically affected by COVID-19. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and varies by grade level, program, delivery mode, and support services required; online payment is accepted via BDO or GCash. Go-to-market is sales-led, driven by referrals from developmental pediatricians, direct admin-office enrollment, and community word-of-mouth amplified by events (Valentine's Ball, Friendship Cup, Foundation Day) and an active PTA. Online self-service enrollment through the website and Student Portal is a secondary, growing channel. ILLC is founder-controlled, privately held, and has no disclosed external funding or institutional investors.

Name

Independent Living Learning Centre

Legal name

Independent Living Learning Centre

Website

https://illcphilippines.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Independent Living Learning Centre (ILLC) is a K-12 DepEd-accredited private special education school in the Philippines, operating three branches (Mandaluyong, Cebu, Davao) and delivering modified academic, transition, therapy, and work-placement programs for children and young adults with developmental conditions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Education Services

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431), Educational Services (611), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093)

akta.pro primary industry

Transition Services (Secondary to Postsecondary/Employment, Life Skills) (EDAJAKAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Special Education Online / Virtual Schools & Remote Programs (EDAKAAAL), Virtual Special Education & Related Services (IEP Delivery Online) (EDAJADAG), Special Needs Skill-Building & Therapy Learning Apps (Autism, OT/PT, Life Skills) (EDAFAKAJ)

Keywords

• Special education services
• Developmental disability education
• Occupational therapy services
• Transition education programs
• Vocational work placement

Headquarters

HQ city

Mandaluyong City

HQ country

Philippines

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Miscellaneous Fees: Core revenue from K-12 Department of Education Accredited Special Education programs including Modified Basic Education, Functional Basic Education, Transition Education, and SPED Senior High School. Fees depend on grade level, program, chosen Learning Delivery Mode, and whether the child needs support services.
2. Therapy Services: Occupational, Physical, and Speech Therapy services rendered face-to-face, online, or home-based. These services focus on enhancing skills in speech and language, psycho-social development, sensory-perceptual, gross motor, adaptive behavior, oral-motor, and cognitive areas.
3. Screening and Enrollment Fees: One-time screening fee of Php 1,500.00 for new students. Additional fees for enrollment include various document requirements.
4. Socialized Tuition and Flexible Payment Terms: Financial assistance program providing socialized tuition fees and flexible payment terms for families economically affected by COVID-19 pandemic.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ILLC is a DepEd-accredited K-12 special education school that delivers academic, therapeutic, transition, and vocational programs for children, adolescents, and young adults with developmental conditions. Core offerings include the Modified Basic Education (MBE), Functional Basic Education (FBE), Transition Education Program (TEP), Job Readiness Program (JRP), Work Placement Program (WPP), SPED Senior High School, Total Communication Program (TCP), and Occupational, Physical, and Speech Therapy services delivered face-to-face, online, or home-based.

Product overview

Independent Living Learning Centre (ILLC) is a K-12 Department of Education Accredited Special Education School established in 2003, offering a comprehensive suite of programs for children, adolescents, and young adults with developmental conditions. The organization operates a multi-tiered educational architecture consisting of: (1) Core Academic Programs including the Modified Basic Academic Program (MBE) aligned with DepEd Kinder-Grade 10 standards, and the Functional Basic Education Program (FBE) for more mature students; (2) Specialized Transition Programs including the Transition Education Program (TEP), Job Readiness Program (JRP), and Work Placement Program (WPP) that prepare students for independent living and employment; (3) Therapy Services including Occupational, Physical, and Speech therapy offered face-to-face, online, or home-based; (4) SPED Senior High School offering a Technical Vocational Track in Home Economics; and (5) a Student Portal for online learning management. The programs are designed to work both independently and jointly, with students able to take TEP alongside MBE/FBE programs, and JRP serving as a prelude to WPP. ILLC also developed digital instructional materials shared with public schools through a grant from the Atlantic Institute for Health Equity Southeast Asia and China.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Therapy Services (Occupational, Physical, Speech Therapy) Early intervention and ongoing therapy services including Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Speech Therapy. Services focus on speech and language development, psycho-social skills, sensory-perceptual integration, gross motor skills, adaptive behavior, oral-motor/feeding, and cognitive stimulation. Therapy may be rendered face-to-face, online, or home-based. Targeted at children and adults with developmental conditions.
• Modified Basic Academic Program (MBE) Modified academic subjects under Kinder to Grade 10 curricula as mandated by the Department of Education. Emphasis on competencies that are practical and achievable according to child's abilities and needs, with lessons pertinent to transition and life skills training. Targeted at children with developmental conditions in K-10.
• Functional Basic Education Program (FBE) Practical academic curriculum designed for adolescents, teens, and more mature students in Elementary and Junior High School. More emphasis on integrating academic instruction into practical situations, streamlined with the Transition Education Program focusing on transition and life skills training. Targeted at mature learners with special needs.
• Transition Education Program (TEP) Program fostering independence in personal and home management, social and communication skills, functional literacy, work and leisure through classroom and community-based activities. Includes subjects: Life Skills, Applied Academics, Prevocational Skills Training, Leisure and Recreation, and Community Living. Targeted at adolescents and young adults with special needs.
• SPED Senior High School (Technical Vocational Track — Home Economics) Two-year modified Technical Vocational Track focusing on Home Economics. Strand aims to teach home management and job skills for various work settings. Specialized subjects include cookery, front office work, food and beverage, and handicrafts, culminating with a practicum. Targeted at senior high school students with developmental conditions.
• Job Readiness Program (JRP) Program teaching essential work behaviors and vocational skills in actual but controlled work contexts. Training conducted in center-based settings related to food preparation and service, office work, housekeeping, assistant teaching, materials handling, handicrafts, and entrepreneurship. Students may be assigned externally in partner establishments for training under job coaches. Serves as prelude to Work Placement Program. Targeted at adolescents and adults with developmental conditions.
• Work Placement Program (WPP) Standard protocols to assist adults with disabilities to immerse in formal work. Employment options include sheltered workshops, modified open employment, open employment, self-directed entrepreneurship, volunteer work, home-based work, transitional employment, supported employment, and self-employment. Targeted at adults with disabilities seeking employment.
• Total Communication Program (TCP) Supplemental program helping students express needs, feelings, and thoughts through speech, gestures, apps, and/or visual supports. Targeted at students with communication challenges associated with developmental conditions.
• Student Portal Online portal for students to access learning materials, track progress, and facilitate distance learning programs. Targeted at enrolled ILLC students and their parents.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 20 years of successful operation with graduates placed in meaningful employment at major establishments including Jollibee, SM stores, Mann Hann, South Star Drug, law offices, and hotels.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Academia Progresiva de ManilacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerILLC collaborates with Academia Progresiva de Manila as its sister school to offer partial mainstreaming programs where students can interact with typically developing peers.
• Atlantic Institute for Health Equity Southeast Asia and ChinamajorOthersThrough a grant from Atlantic Institute, ILLC developed digital instructional materials that were shared for free to public schools in different parts of the Philippines, supporting broader educational access.
• Unilab FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerUnilab Foundation helped ILLC graduate Angela Batallones get hired at Overdoughs Century City Mall branch, demonstrating successful employment placement collaboration.
• Department of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerILLC is an active member of Department of Education's Education Forum, contributing to developing educational programs, materials, and systems that foster continuity of learning during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Mann Hann - SM MegamallcoreOthersWork placement partner providing employment opportunities for ILLC graduates in food service. Placed Ferdinand 'Ferdie' as staff member.
• South Star DrugcoreOthersWork placement partner providing employment in retail pharmacy. Placed Chester as employee.
• JollibeecoreOthersWork placement partner providing employment in fast food service. Placed Lorenz 'ENZO' as dining crew member.
• SM SavemorecoreOthersWork placement partner providing employment in retail. Placed Jolo as greeter and bagger at SM Mezza and Matthew at SM Light.
• Rainbow Room Learning CenterminorOthersPlaced Michael as Teacher Aide, demonstrating educational sector employment placement.
• Various Employment PartnerscoreOthersMultiple employment partners including Pancake House, Jollibee-National Branch, Sogo Hotel, Overdoughs, UNAHCO, Angelica Cleaning and Linen Services, Dohtonbori, Emerald Mansion, Gr8 Spot Advertising Services, JATER Development Corporation, Ongkiko Manhit Law Office, Rapide Service Experts, Taters, Puzzl Cafe, and Abelardo's Diner providing diverse work placement opportunities.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Academia Progresiva de Manila: Sister mainstream school of ILLC used to provide mainstreaming/inclusion experiences for SPED students. Comparable as a closely allied educational institution that complements rather than competes with ILLC's SPED offering.

Regional players

• Eden School: Singapore SPED school for students with autism and related conditions, with explicit vocational and work-readiness pathways. Comparable in operating a multi-year program combining academics, life skills, and pre-employment training.
• Rainbow Centre: Singapore operator of special education schools (Eden School, Pathlight School) serving students with autism and other developmental conditions. Comparable in bundling academic, therapy, and vocational/transition programs at scale in a Southeast Asian setting.
• Pathlight School: Singapore special education school focused on autism spectrum, offering K-12 academic and vocational tracks. Comparable in serving high-need developmental populations with structured curricula and structured transition programming in an Asian SPED regulatory environment.
• AWWA School: Singapore special education school operating under a community-services organization, serving students with multiple disabilities from early intervention through vocational preparation. Comparable in multi-disability K-12 SPED model with strong transition-to-work emphasis in a regional Asian context.

Direct peers

• Camillian Sisters SPED Centers: Catholic-run SPED centers operating in the Philippines serving children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Comparable in mission, target population, and program structure (academic + therapy) within the same Philippine regulatory environment.
• Bethlehem Foundation for Special Education: Philippine SPED foundation serving children with developmental conditions across multiple programs including education and therapy. Directly comparable as a domestic peer offering K-12 SPED with therapy and inclusion services in the same market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/illcph
• Facebookfacebook.com/ILLC.Philippines
• Instagraminstagram.com/illc_philippines
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/independent-living-learning-centre

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Independent Living Learning Centre