# International School Manila

International School Manila (abbreviation: ISM or IS Manila) is a private, non-profit, non-sectarian international school 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).

## History

A group of American and British expatriates established the American School, Inc. on June 21, 1920. It was first located at 606 Taft Avenue, a loaned church building in Manila, with eight teachers and fifty students from Grades 1 to 12. It transferred later that year to 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 in 1961.
In 1970, the American School was renamed to International School Manila (ISM) at the recommendation of the US Embassy. In the same year, ISM became the first international school to receive accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). 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. Century City now occupies the site of the former Makati campus.

## Campus

The ISM campus sits on a 7-hectare (17-acre) site in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Metro Manila.

## Organization and leadership

The ISM is divided into three departments, each having its faculty, administration and principal. The Superintendent heads its overall administration.

## 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.
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. 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, Culture, and Sports in the Philippines. It boasts accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO).

## Facilities

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

* 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.