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4 minute read
Most international schools in the Philippines begin their academic year in August, running through to June. Philippine public schools have had an unusually turbulent few years by comparison: after shifting to an August start during the pandemic, the Department of Education (DepEd) gradually moved the calendar back to a June start, and SY 2026-2027 opened on 8 June 2026 under a newly introduced three-term system, replacing the old four-quarter calendar.
Private and international schools aren't required to follow DepEd's new term structure, so if you're choosing between a local and an international school, it's worth confirming which calendar each one is actually using rather than assuming they've moved together.
Why the dates have moved around so much
The Philippines' public school calendar has changed more than most in the region recently. Classes moved to an August start during the Covid pandemic, then DepEd reversed that decision from SY 2024-2025 onward, opening progressively earlier each year until reaching the traditional June start again for SY 2026-2027. At the same time, DepEd introduced a three-term structure, each around 65 to 69 days, replacing the previous four-quarter grading calendar. International schools were largely unaffected throughout, since private institutions can adopt DepEd's calendar changes voluntarily but generally keep their own August-to-June year instead.
Term dates and key holidays
Within the August-to-June international school year, you can generally expect:
- Winter break: Around two weeks over Christmas and New Year.
- Holy Week: A break of about a week around Easter, timed by the movable Christian calendar, observed by both DepEd and most international schools.
- National Heroes Day: Falls on the last Monday of August, a fixed public holiday inside the first term.
- Typhoon contingency: Philippine schools, DepEd and international alike, sometimes adjust term dates for weather-related closures, so treat published calendars as provisional during typhoon season.
- Plan ahead: Confirm with any international school whether it has adopted DepEd's new three-term structure or kept its own calendar, since both are common.
What to prepare, and from when
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 12 months before | Shortlist schools and check space in your child's year group, popular Manila and Cebu schools fill early |
| 9 to 10 months before | Visit or tour virtually, and start the application, most schools want school reports and immunisation records |
| 6 months before | Confirm the offer, pay the deposit, and ask about support for non-English or non-Filipino speakers |
| 2 to 3 months before | Sort uniform and transport, and confirm the exact start date with the school |
Five popular international schools in the Philippines
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Assumption College San Lorenzo, Manila. Catholic all-girls school with an IB Diploma pathway in senior high, ages 3 to 18, around 750 pupils. PHP 148,082 to 362,720 a year (approx. USD 2,400 to 6,000).
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The British School Manila, Manila. British curriculum to IGCSE and IB Diploma, ages 3 to 18, around 980 pupils. PHP 536,040 to 1,414,215 a year (approx. USD 8,800 to 23,300).
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Xavier School San Juan, Manila. Jesuit Catholic school with an IB Diploma pathway and a Chinese-Filipino character, boys only, around 3,830 pupils. Fee details aren't published on doris for this school, contact the school directly for current tuition.
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Harvest Christian School International (HCSI), Cebu. American curriculum with in-campus and distance-learning options, ages 5 to 18, around 210 pupils. PHP 35,900 to 78,171 a year (approx. USD 590 to 1,300).
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Maria Montessori International School (MMIS), Talamban Campus, Cebu. Montessori-based K-12 with Singapore Maths in the early grades. PHP 59,195 to 82,330 a year (approx. USD 980 to 1,360).
Schools shown for informational purposes only. doris does not rank or promote any school.
Check school availability in the Philippines on doris
Schools in the Philippines may have waiting lists for certain year groups, so it helps to prepare well ahead of your preferred start date.
Start by exploring schools in the Philippines on doris and opening the profiles of those on your shortlist. You can review admissions details and, where available, check availability or send an enquiry to ask about places, waiting lists and application requirements. Include your child’s age and intended start date so the school can give you relevant guidance.
Explore the school overview and check availability.
View admissions details, scholarships and waiting list information.
Start your school search early to give your family more time to explore options and prepare your application.
FAQ
What month does international school usually start in the Philippines? Most international schools start in August. DepEd public schools returned to a June start for SY 2026-2027, after several years on a pandemic-era August calendar.
What are the term dates for schools in the Philippines? DepEd public schools now run three terms of roughly 65 to 69 days each, starting in June. International schools generally run August to June in semesters or terms depending on curriculum, and aren't required to follow DepEd's structure.
Does the international school year in the Philippines match the local school year? Not usually. Most international schools kept their August start throughout DepEd's recent calendar changes, so there's typically a two-month gap between the two systems.
When should we start applying for a 2027 start in the Philippines? Around 12 months ahead, particularly for younger year groups at popular Manila and Cebu schools.
Why did the Philippine public school calendar change so much recently? Classes moved to August during the pandemic to work around disrupted schedules, then DepEd gradually reverted to the traditional June start over several years, reaching it again for SY 2026-2027 alongside a new three-term system.
doris is a free, impartial international school discovery platform designed to help parents find the right international school for their children worldwide. Every school profile includes fees, curriculum, admissions, pupil numbers and more. Parents can compare schools, contact schools directly, access expert parent guides, and connect with a community of parents around the world. Start your search at doris.school.
This guide was written by Aziza F, part of the doris editorial team. doris sources school data from institutions worldwide and speaks directly with parents navigating the school search process. Fee data reflects published and publicly available information for the 2026 to 2027 academic year and is reviewed annually. External sources: school academic calendars and fee pages, Philippines Department of Education.
Schools are listed for informational purposes only. doris does not rank or promote any school.
