Compare German Curriculum International Schools in Philippines

Greatstart International School Manila is located at 187 Dona Soledad Ave. Extension, Better Living Subdivision (BLS), Paranaque City, Metro Manila. The school sits in the Better Living neighborhood and is accessible from the South Luzon Expressway via the Bicutan exit; it is described as being beside Nuat Thai and Alfamart. This location places the campus in southern Metro Manila, convenient for families relocating to or residing in the area.

Classrooms are organized by age: Toddlers (18 months to 2 years), Nursery I (2–3 years), Nursery II (3–4 years), Pre-K (4–5 years), Kindergarten (5–6 years), School Age (up to 12 years), and Summer Camp (2–12 years).

The school operates as an international early-learning program that serves preschool through school-age students; it runs as a day program (no boarding is listed). The daily schedule aligns with a daytime model, with school hours Monday–Friday.

Greatstart International School Manila is described as inclusive; decisions about admitting students with special educational needs are made by Center Directors based on individual assessments. Some students may receive full-time support from a Learning Support Assistant.

The school aligns with American education standards and guidelines, reflecting a United States affiliation.

No religious affiliation is indicated in the available materials.

School days run from 7:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday, with programming that covers early childhood through school-age activities.

The school offers bus service through an accredited provider, Iskulbus. Families should contact Iskulbus directly for enrollment and scheduling details.

A school uniform is required for all students. Casual wear is allowed for certain events.

The school uses a house system with house-based competitions. Activities include parent–child themed house events and classroom competitions such as 100 Days of School and pumpkin carving.

Greatstart International School Manila is part of the Greatstart Early Learning network. Each center is led by a Center Director. The brand was founded in the United States by Johanna and Peter Badenhop.

Greatstart International School Manila uses the GR.A.C.E. Learning Program (Greatstart Academic Curriculum for Excellence), a proprietary, cross‑curricular curriculum based on The Creative Curriculum for Preschool and aligned with state and national early‑learning standards. The program uses ongoing observation and assessment to tailor Learning Foundations, with plans for individuals and groups that emphasize creativity, social development, early literacy and numeracy, with English as an Additional Language (EAL) support available. The curriculum blends Montessori‑inspired elements with structured, explorative activities to prepare children for transition to elementary school and to develop critical thinking. Curriculum provision is organized by age‑based classrooms: Toddlers (16 months–2 years), Nursery I, Nursery II, Pre‑K, Kindergarten, School Age (up to 12 years), and Summer Camp. The Manila site follows an August–May academic year, with a May Summer Camp and a Headstart Preparatory Camp in June–July, and the program is positioned to support readiness for elementary education, with documented performance outcomes reported for the US network.

Greatstart Manila emphasizes social development as part of its GR.A.C.E. curriculum and daily practice, aiming to foster confidence and social skills in students. The program highlights a Western-style approach to social development to help children become confident participants in learning. The International Student Experience Program provides a two-week social immersion at a U.S. location to develop social skills in an international context and support language development. The school describes its environment as warm, supportive and creative, which underpins social and emotional learning. Center Directors and trained teachers guide both academic and social development, and there is emphasis on partnering with parents to support students' social growth.

Greatstart Manila is described as an inclusive school. Decisions about admitting children with special educational needs (SEN) are made by Center Directors based on the extent to which the school can meet the student's needs. Individual assessments are required, and a recent Educational Psychologist's report is often requested to ensure the school can cater for the student. Some students are admitted on the condition that they receive full-time support from a Learning Support Assistant. The SEN information does not specify a named SEN category or a specialist SEN facility, indicating the school is not positioned as a dedicated SEN specialist institution.

The school is an all-English language school and provides English as an Additional Language (EAL) support. During evaluation, the prospective student's language ability is assessed to determine EAL needs, ensuring access to the curriculum. EAL support is available through the school, and parents are encouraged to continue using and developing their native language at home to support learning. The program is designed to accommodate students who are not yet fluent in English rather than replacing their home language.

The Manila campus describes learning as taking place in a warm, supportive and creative environment, which underpins students' mental well-being and holistic development. The GR.A.C.E. program and its social-skills focus contribute to resilience and confidence as part of well-being. The International Student Experience Program supports social skills development and cultural exposure, which can positively affect students' social-emotional well-being. The school relies on trained staff, including Center Directors and teachers, to guide academic and social growth within this supportive framework. There is no separately named, publicly disclosed mental health program beyond these social-emotional supports.

The Manila pages do not publicly disclose safeguarding and child protection policies.

1. Schedule a Tour. School Tours are typically 30 minutes to 1 hour long. Families should call the numbers listed to schedule a tour appointment, or inquire online, to arrange a visit. The tour allows families to view the facilities and ask questions about the school and its programs.

2. Register Your Child. Because slots are limited, use the Online Application for Admission form since slots are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. The Application for Admission form can be requested during the school tour or by contacting the school administrator.

3. Admissions Evaluation and Interview. Once the Admissions Evaluation and Enrollment Deposit fees have been paid, families will be contacted for Assessment scheduling. The initial assessment helps inform high-quality instruction tailored to the child's learning needs and can be conducted during the school tour.

4. Acceptance. An Enrollment Packet, including information such as parents' and child information and health records, is provided upon acceptance. Families can opt to visit the school or be contacted for orientation prior to their child's start date.

There is no scholarship information published on the admissions pages. The materials describe the admissions steps and age requirements but do not mention any scholarship programs.

The school describes an open admissions policy with applications accepted year-round and spaces reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no published waitlist or pool system. This implies no formal waitlist beyond the standard first-come, first-served approach.

GESM is on the Eurocampus at 75 Swaziland Street, Better Living Subdivision, Parañaque City, 1711, Metro Manila, Philippines. The two-hectare campus is shared with the Lycée Français de Manille and is part of the European International School complex on Eurocampus. The location places the school in southern Metro Manila with campus facilities that serve both schools on the same site.

GESM offers Kindergarten through Grade 12. From Kindergarten to Grade 10, students are enrolled in either the German Section or the English International Section; Grades 11–12 offer the IB Diploma Programme (DP) or the IB Career-related Programme (CP), taught in English and German.

GESM is a co-educational, secular, non-profit international day school. It operates on a two-section model (German and International) and does not provide boarding facilities.

GESM runs an Additional Needs Programme (ANP) to support students who require extra help beyond regular classroom instruction. Identification is through assessments, teacher observations, and family consultations. Support includes in-class or small-group/individual sessions and modified goals, with placement decided case-by-case; some support may incur additional fees.

GESM is a German government-recognized school abroad and is part of the network of German Schools Abroad; it is also a UNESCO Associated School. This reflects its official German government oversight and international accreditation.

GESM operates as a secular institution with no religious denomination affiliation. Ethics is mandatory, and students or parents may opt for Religion as an alternative.

All classes start at 7:30am. Kindergarten through Primary finish at 2:00pm each day; Secondary typically finishes at 2:00pm on most days and 3:30pm on some days. Afternoon clubs run 2:00pm–3:30pm, and supervised after‑care is available for Primary students until 3:30pm; a school bus service is available.

GESM outsources accredited bus providers for door‑to‑door transport with a bus attendant on each vehicle. Billing is arranged directly between families and the bus companies. Routes cover numerous areas around Makati, Parañaque, Alabang, and beyond, with published quarterly rates by area; current rates can be confirmed by the school. The transportation page lists area coverage and corresponding providers.

GESM is a day school with no boarding facilities. A school bus service is available on request, capable of picking up and dropping off at the doorstep to suit family needs. Families should confirm routes and availability with Admissions.

There is no formal uniform requirement. Students may wear regular everyday clothing, with GESM sweaters and shirts available for purchase and to be worn on field trips or as directed by staff.

The canteen is operated by Kitchen City and offers a varied menu that includes proteins, salads, snacks and vegetarian meals. Parents can pre‑order meals via the Kitchen City app, and students pay on site with a Meal Card that can be reloaded by parents online.

GESM uses a House System. In English Primary there are four houses: Bremen, Berlin, Münster and Frankfurt. The Grundschule will have two houses. Secondary houses are named after Philippine islands and animals: Bohol Sharks, Boracay Scorpions, Cebu Cobras and Palawan Eagles. House activities include sports, quizzes and charity drives, with House Leaders organizing activities and a year-end House Cup.

GESM is a non‑profit organisation governed by a volunteer Board of Directors elected by the German School Association Manila (GSA). The Board oversees strategic priorities, budget and major projects, while day‑to‑day management is led by the Head of School. GESM forms the European International School, Inc. (EIS) together with Lycée Français de Manille, with the GSA acting as liaison with authorities.

From early years (Kindergarten and Vorschule) through Grade 10, German European School Manila runs two parallel sections defined largely by medium of instruction: German and English. The German section follows a German curriculum, while the English section uses English-language instruction with English Early Years and English Primary following the IB Primary Years Programme, and a Cambridge IGCSE pathway in secondary. In Grades 5–10, the German stream leads to Realschulabschluss or Hauptschulabschluss after Grade 9 or 10, while the English secondary stream concludes with IGCSE in Grade 10 and DSD I in Grade 9. In Grades 11–12, both streams converge on the International Baccalaureate Senior Years, offering the IB Diploma Programme (DP) or the IB Career-related Programme (CP) with instruction in English and German. The IB Diploma Programme comprises six subjects (one from groups 1–5 and a sixth from group 6 or another from 1–5), with a mix of Higher Level and Standard Level courses and core requirements of Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge, and Creativity, Action, Service. GESM positions itself as multilingual and European/international in scope, part of the EuroCampus network, and aligned with IB and German-European standards.

GESM supports social and emotional learning (SEL) through a dedicated guidance counsellor and a strong focus on students' social-emotional development across both German and English sections, including anti-bullying initiatives and empathy-focused programming.

The school runs an Additional Needs Programme (ANP) with a multidisciplinary Student Support Team and Learning Support Plans, and can accommodate mild to moderate intellectual or cognitive impairment, behavioural or emotional difficulties, Specific Learning Disability, Executive Functioning deficits, high-functioning ASD, and Social-Communication Disorder.

The school states that mother tongue and foreign language programmes are available from pre-school, and the English Section Access and Inclusion Policy confirms inclusive support for learners, though a dedicated, stand-alone EAL program is not publicly disclosed.

Mental wellbeing is supported by the on-site School Clinic, which has two full-time nurses and offers health counseling and wellbeing-focused services, and guidance-led SEL activities such as anti-bullying and empathy programs.

Safeguarding and child protection are addressed with a zero-tolerance policy for abuse, plus 24/7 campus security monitoring and a school clinic, with clear procedures in place for safeguarding concerns.

1. First contact. Interested families should reach out to the school and/or arrange a campus visit. The school welcomes inquiries and invites families to take a look at the campus and programs before deciding.

2. Submission of primary requirements. Start the process by submitting the online application form, the last two report cards or development reports, and the Confidential Student Evaluation Form completed by the child's previous homeroom teacher. For Kindergarten and Pre-Primary (ages 3–5), download the appropriate form; for Grade 1–12, use the form intended for older students. These documents help the school assess the child's prior learning and readiness.

3. Assessment and interview. After the primary documents are received, the child is scheduled for an assessment interview with the head teacher of the relevant department, which may be online or on campus. Students entering Grades 6–9 may also take an admissions test in Mathematics and/or English before the interview. Special arrangements are possible for Grades 10 and up.

4. Submission of the application form and other requirements. Complete the rest of the enrollment requirements, including Form I-C Physical Examination Form, Form I-DEx (optional), Form I-F Confidential Student Evaluation Form, copies of last two reports, birth certificate, passport, Philippine visa stamp (if applicable), immunization record, parents' passports, and a digital ID photo. All documents must be submitted in German or English; translations should be verified by the issuing body or an embassy-accredited translator.

5. Approval and enrollment. Once the forms are submitted and the student is assessed by the Head Teacher, the family receives an official admission confirmation from GESM. The letter will note any pending forms or requirements that still need to be completed.

6. Payment of fees. Following admission confirmation, an invoice is issued by the accounting office with the amount due and payment deadline. The school accepts cash, cheque, or bank transfer, and payment details are on the invoice.

7. First day of school. After fees are paid, the teachers or the secretariat contact the family with information about the first day of school, required materials, and other logistics.

8. Age requirements. Kindergarten can begin at age three if the child is toilet-trained, weaned, and can eat independently. Children progress from Kindergarten to Vorschule/Pre-Primary and then to Grade 1, with promotions based on age cut-offs (five turning five before August 31 advances to Vorschule, six turning six before August 31 enters Grade 1). Exceptions to the age rules can be made after discussion with the teachers.

Scholarships: No scholarship program is documented on the school's published admissions or fees materials. The School Fees page lists the membership, entrance, and refundable deposit, plus tuition in Euro and PHP, with notes on currency options and payment timing, but it does not describe any scholarship awards or eligibility.

Waitlist/Pool: There is no published waitlist or enrollment-pool procedure described in the admissions materials. The process published for enrollment moves from initial contact to required documents, assessment/interview, approval, and then enrollment, subject to available spaces.