International School Manila: Difference between revisions

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Latest revision as of 10:31, 16 April 2025

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{{Short description|Private school in Taguig, Philippines}}

'''International School Manila''' (ISM) is a private, non-sectarian day schools for boys and girls from prekindergarten through grade 12. It is located at [[Fort Bonifacio]], [[Taguig City]], [[Metro Manila]] [[Philippines]].

{{Advert|date=April 2024}}

[[Image:ISMANILA Logo.gif|110px|right|thumb|International School Manila School Seal]]

{{Infobox school

| name = International School Manila

| image = Official_ISM_Logo.png

| former_name = American School (1920–1970)

| image_size = 180 px

| caption = Logo of International School Manila

| motto = ''Veritas et democratia''<br>Truth and Democracy

| ___location = University Parkway, [[Bonifacio Global City]], [[Taguig]] City, [[Metro Manila]]<ref>{{cite web |title=INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL MANILA, INC. {{!}} National Book Development Board |url=https://booksphilippines.gov.ph/international-school-manila-inc/ |publisher=National Book Development Board |access-date=14 February 2022}}</ref>

| country = [[Philippines]]

| type = [[Private school|Private]] [[international school]]

| established = 1920

| superintendent = William Brown

| ceeb = 705720

| faculty = 226

| grades = Preschool to Grade 12<ref>{{cite book |last1=Roces |first1=Alfredo |last2=Roces |first2=Grace |title=CultureShock! Philippines |date=15 May 2013 |publisher=Marshall Cavendish International Asia Pte Ltd |isbn=978-981-4634-90-8 |page=123 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mYN1BAAAQBAJ&pg=PT123 |access-date=14 February 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

| enrollment = 2,343

| conference = [[Interscholastic Association of Southeast Asian Schools]] (IASAS)<ref>{{cite web |title=About IASAS – IASAS.asia |url=https://iasas.asia/about/ |website=iasas.asia |access-date=14 February 2022}}</ref>

| mascot =

| nickname = [[Native Americans in the United States|American Indians]] (1930–95)<br>[[Binturong|Bearcats]] (since 1995)

| pushpin_map = Metro Manila#Philippines

| website = {{URL|www.ismanila.org}}

| campus_size = {{convert|17|acre|hectare}}

| campus_type = [[Urban area|Urban]] (University Parkway)

| colors = {{colorbox|#38610B}} Green (Primary)<br>{{colorbox|Gold}} Gold (Secondary)

| yearbook = Alaala, Salinlahi, Kawayan

| coordinates = {{coord|14.5546|121.058|type:edu_region:PH|display=inline,title}}

}}

'''International School Manila''' ([[abbreviation]]: '''ISM or IS Manila''') is a private, non-profit, non-sectarian international school<ref>{{cite book |last1=Boquet |first1=Yves |title=The Philippine Archipelago |date=19 April 2017 |publisher=Springer |isbn=978-3-319-51926-5 |page=551 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=90C4DgAAQBAJ&pg=PA551 |access-date=14 February 2022 |language=en}}</ref> located in [[Bonifacio Global City]], Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines. Founded in 1920 as the American School by a group of American and British parents living in Manila, it adopted its present name in 1970.

International School Manila is one of six members of the [[Interscholastic Association of Southeast Asian Schools]] (IASAS).<ref>{{cite web |title=History - IASAS |url=https://iasas.asia/history/ |website=Interscholastic Association of Southeast Asia Schools |publisher=IASAS |access-date=9 November 2023}}</ref>

==History==

A group of American and British [[Expatriate|expatriates]] established the American School, Inc. on June 21, 1920. It was one of many schools since 1901 called the American School. Land from Spanish business men such as Luis Perez-Samanillo was rented out to build such a school, of which the preceding institution with the same name was later sold to the [[De La Salle Brothers]] to open its own [[De La Salle University|college]] in 1911.<ref name=alma>{{Cite web|title=My Alma Mater : International School Manila|url= http://www.lougopal.com/manila/?p=3237}}</ref> As a result, a demand was made by expatriate American parents to open the current American School in 1920. It was first located at 606 [[Taft Avenue]], a loaned [[Episcopalian]] church building in [[Manila]], with eight teachers and fifty students from Grades 1 to 12.<ref name=alma/>

International School Manila opened in 1920 during the American occupation after American and British parents sought the establishment of another international school with a similar curriculum to US private schools. There was only one school funded by the American government at the time, and it could hardly accomodate the number of enrollees.

It transferred later that year to [[Del Pilar Street|M.H. Del Pilar Street]] and in 1922, to [[Padre Faura Street]], both also in Manila. The campus was transferred to Donada Street, [[Pasay]] in 1936. It was closed in 1942 during [[World War II]] and was reopened by September 1946. The campus was then transferred near [[Bel-Air, Makati|Bel-Air]], [[Makati]] in 1961. In 1970, the American School was renamed to International School Manila (ISM) at the recommendation of the [[Embassy of the United States, Manila|US Embassy]]. The school started allowing admissions of ethnic Filipinos and needed to reflect the change.<ref name=alma/> In the same year, ISM became the first international school to receive accreditation from the [[Western Association of Schools and Colleges]] (WASC).

Thus, the American School, Inc. opened as a non-profit, non-stock entity with a program that bridged the cultural gap among foreign children living abroad. At the time, most Americans and British were on extended assignment to the Philippines. Their interest was to establish an educational institution that would provide for the long-term educational needs of their children and the children of future expatriates.

In 1982, ISM joined the Interscholastic Association of Southeast Asian Schools (IASAS). By 2002, the school transferred from Makati to its present ___location in [[Bonifacio Global City]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ismanila.org/about-us/history|title=History|website=International School Manila|accessdate=August 5, 2022}}</ref> [[Century City, Makati|Century City]] now occupies the site of the former Makati campus.<ref name="city">{{cite web|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/58062/economy/companies/century-properties-to-spend-p40b-for-makati-mixed-use-project |title=Century Properties to spend P40B for Makati mixed-use project |date=August 28, 2007 |publisher=[[GMA News]] |access-date=August 5, 2022|first=Cheryl|last=Arcibal}}</ref>

In 1970, with its recent move to Makati to accomodate more students, the American School changed its name to the International School to reflect the school's changing enrollment patterns. The school was located in [[Bel-Air Village]], [[Makati City]] from 1960 to 2002.

==Campus==

In September 2000 both the International School Manila's sustaining members and the parent community cast the deciding vote to begin the construction of a new campus and in 2002, ISM moved to its new seven hectare campus located in the University Park Area of [[Fort Bonifacio]] in [[Taguig City]].

The ISM campus sits on a {{convert|7|ha|adj=on}} site in [[Bonifacio Global City]], [[Taguig]], [[Metro Manila]].{{cn|date=February 2023}}

==Organization and leadership==

ISM maintains a large international alumni network. It is a member of the [[Interscholastic Association of Southeast Asian Schools]] ([[IASAS]]), along with [[Jakarta International School]], [[International School Bangkok]], [[International School of Kuala Lumpur]], [[Singapore American School]] and [[Taipei American School]].

The ISM is divided into three departments, each having its faculty, administration and principal. The Superintendent heads its overall administration.{{cn|date=February 2023}}

In June 2000, the Philippine Supreme Court ruled that ISM must pay back wages to teachers belonging to the International School Alliance of Educators (ISAE). These teachers, all Filipino nationals, had not received compensation packages equal to those of teachers hired outside of the Philippines. The School did not immediately comply with the ruling, and in 2005 the Department of Labor and Employment was forced to announce the public auction of ISM's property in the Bonifacio Global City to raise funds for the compensation payments. The auction was canceled when administrators and ISAE members reached a settlement.

==Curriculum==

There are three years of preschool, and twelve years of primary and secondary education. Its [[K–12]] standard is based from the American school system. As a result, it has a different program implementation from the one proposed by the [[Department of Education (Philippines)|Department of Education]].

[[Image:International_school_manila.gif|300px|thumb|right|ISM Campus]]

The curriculum has strong links to the US college-preparatory model and includes AP courses and courses leading to the IB diploma. The School provide an ESL program for students whose first language is other than English and whose English language competency falls below grade level. The Optimal Learning Center (OLC) provides an integrated model of support services for students with special needs, including high academic talent. The foreign languages program includes Chinese, Filipino, French, Japanese, Korean and Spanish. The large majority of graduating students proceed to colleges and universities in the United States.

The curriculum at elementary school is built on inquiry-based learning, which encourages students to become autonomous, creative thinkers. As students proceed through middle and high school, the teaching style switches to subject-based programmes culminating in the IB Diploma. AP courses are available to chosen students in grades 9 and 10. The school constantly reviews the curriculum to ensure it contains the most excellent worldwide practices. An ESL programme is provided for students who speak English as a second language and have below-grade English skills. Learning support instructors aid and guide students in need throughout the school, and a Specialised Learning Support Programme caters to kids with extraordinary needs.

IS Manila recently openeds its pre-school to accept both three- and four year-old children. The school's Early Primary Program is an integrted approach to learning based on the principles of a child's physical, social, personal and mental development. The learning environment fosters a developmentally appropriate approach in the promotion of creative and cognitive learning, independence in and the love of learning, the awareness of responsibility, together with dealing with risk, taking, trust learning and the development of self-esteem in expanding social dimensions.

The foreign languages program encompasses Chinese, Filipino, French, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish. Notably, about 60% of graduating students pursue undergraduate studies in the United States.

The school holds recognition from the Department of Education in the Philippines and boasts accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Manila, Philippines: International School Manila: 2022-2023 Fact Sheet |url=https://www.state.gov/international-school-manila-fact-sheet/ |access-date=2023-09-15 |website=United States Department of State |language=en}}</ref>

== Facilities ==

Its four-year High School course provides an American-based college preparatory curriculum broadened to included curricula from other systems, including the International Baccalaureate Diploma. It also offers Advanced Placement courses.

There are numerous sports facilities at the International School Manila. ISM has two artificial football and rugby fields (one 4G standard) on its campus and one small real grass field. There are 8 rooftop-covered tennis courts, a 10-line climbing wall, four sports gymnasiums (HS, MS, ES and PS), a gymnastics floor, three swimming pools, a martial arts room (Aikido, Taekwondo), a fitness suite and a weights and cardio facility. ISM plays within the IASAS competition within the three seasons of HS sport. A Digital Golf Center is currently being planned, with the area already constructed.

==Notable alumni==

The School is recognized by the Philippine Department of Education. It has also been accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges California US since the 1980s, and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Massachusetts, the East Asia Regional Council of Overseas Schools (EARCOS) and has been a participating member of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program Switzerland for the past 25 years.

* [[Frederick C. Blesse]], American flying ace and U.S. Air Force major general.

* [[KC Concepcion]], Filipino actress, singer, and television personality.

* [[Sharon Cuneta]], Filipina actress, singer, and television personality.

* [[Pops Fernandez]], Filipina actress, singer, and entrepreneur.

* [[Natashya Gutierrez]], Filipina journalist.

* [[Laura Lehmann]], Filipina actress, and winner of Miss World Philippines.

* [[Paul Soriano]], Filipino film producer.

* [[Markki Stroem]], Filipino-Norwegian television personality.

* [[Cris Villonco]], Filipino artist.

* [[Farhan Zaidi]], Canadian baseball executive.

==References==

ISM is a [[Western Association of Schools and Colleges]] ([[WASC]])-accredited pre-K-12 institution that continues to primarily serve Manila's multinational community. It is governed by a ten-member Board of Trustees.

{{reflist}}

==Organization==

The School is governed by a 10-member Board of Trustees elected for three-year terms by parents.

==Faculty==

In the 2004-2005 school year, there were 175 faculty members, 70% of whom were expatriates; the remaining professional staff were Filipino citizens.

==Facilities==

ISM operates on a brand new seven-hectare campus in [[Fort Bonifacio]] in [[Taguig City]]. Facilities include: 3 gymnasiums, 3 swimming pools, 3 playing fields, a canteen, a multi-level media center containing a total of 80,000 print and non-print resources, a 350-seat capacity Little Theater and an 880-seat fully-equipped fine and performing arts theatre. All rooms, including the 200 classrooms, are air-conditioned. Students may apply for entrance at any time during the school year.

==Finances==

In the 2004-2005 school year, about 97% of the School's income derives from tuition and related fees. Annual tuition rates range from $4,450 to $338,900. The School charges an annual capital projects fee of U.S. $1,750 an IT fee of $300 and a one-time matriculation fee of U.S. $2,700. A deposit of $5,000 is levied upon enrollment. This sum is fully refundable when the student withdraws.

==Notable alumni==

* Enrique Zobel (1946), businessman

* Imee Marcos (1973), congresswoman

* Audie Gemora (1977), actor

* Nick Carbo (1984), poet

* Cielito "Pops" Fernandez (1985), singer

* Scott "Gutsy" Tuason (1986), photographer

* Anna Cristina Villonco (2002), singer

==External links==

* [httphttps://alumniwww.ismanila.comorg/ OfficialInternational AlumniSchool WebsiteManila]

* [http://www.ismanila.com International School Manila official website]

* [http://www.ismstudents.com International School Manila official student website]

* [http://www.aisaam.org American International School Alumni Association of Manila]

* [http://www.jeepneygang.com Jeepney Gang]

{{Interscholastic Association of Southeast Asian Schools}}

{{International Schools in the Philippines}}

{{Bonifacio Global City}}

{{Schools in Taguig}}

[[Category:International schools|MAN in Metro Manila]]

[[Category:SchoolsInternational Baccalaureate schools in the Philippines]]

[[Category:Schools establishedEducation in theBonifacio Global 1920sCity]]

[[Category:Educational institutions established in 1920]]

[[Category:1920 establishments in the Philippines]]