Moving To Manila? Here's A List Of Private Schools In Manila

Fact-Checked by Ronna Capili Bonifacio

The projected population of the city of Manila by mid-year of 2024 is 1,946,482, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). This bustling and vibrant capital of the country is home to six congressional districts with 16 administrative districts, 100 zones, and 897 barangays.

According to DepEd Manila, this "Ever Loyal and Noble City" was founded in 1571 within the walls of Intramuros. With the Spaniards came the missionaries and religious orders who introduced formal instruction in the classrooms. The Jesuits established colleges for boys in Cebu and Manila. The ones in Manila would be Colegio de San Ignacio (1589) and Colegio de San Jose (1601).

Later, The University of Sto. Tomas in 1611 and the Ateneo de Manila in 1630 would come into being. Seven schools would open in 1898 following American occupation in Manila, namely: Manila High School (now Araullo High School), Concepcion Primary School for Girls, Concepcion Primary School for Boys, First Binondo Girls' School (now P. Guevarra Elementary School), and San Miguel Primary School.

Shifting focus to the present day, DepEd Manila is now a school division of 73 public elementary schools and 32 secondary schools.

Planning to move to the metro? Here’s a quick list of private schools in Manila.

List of Manila Private Schools

La Consolacion College Manila 

Founded in May 1902, La Consolacion College Manila (LCCM) is a premier
Catholic educational institution with Jesus Christ at the center, and inspired by St. Augustine’s teachings on the primacy of love through transformative education in the 21st century Manila. They offer basic education programs from Kindergarten to Senior Highschool.

Location: 8 Mendiola Ext, San Miguel, Manila, 1005 Metro Manila
Phone Number: (02) 8 736 0235 , Local 150
Tuition Fee: starts at P55,000 for incoming Grade 1 and Kindergarten

Chiang Kai Shek College

In June 1939, Chiang Kai Shek College was founded by a prominent and hardworking Chinese community in Manila. It is the first institution of higher learning in the Philippines founded by overseas Chinese-Filipinos. It offers education in all levels from preschool to graduate school.

Location: 1274 Padre Algue St, Tondo, Manila, 1012 Metro Manila
Phone Number: (02) 8252 6161
Annual tuition fee: starts at P92,000 for incoming Grade 1 

St. Lucy Integrated School of Manila

The school's vision is "to pursue excellence in academic knowledge, skills and behavior of each student through a strong-reading based curriculum; development of critical and creative thinking skills at all levels, and impart positive values that promote respect and non-violence." They have preschool and gradeschool programs. 

Location: 2608 Bautista St. corner Vito Cruz, Malate, Santa Ana Manila
Phone number: (02) 8251 3711
Annual tuition fee: starts at P63,545 for incoming Grade 1

St. Jude Catholic School

Run by the Philippine Central Province of the Society of the Divine Word in San Miguel, Manila, Saint Jude Catholic School is a private Catholic co-educational basic education institution. Located adjacent to the Malacañang Palace, the school has early childhood education programs up to senior high school. The High School department offers a top notch and holistic secondary education in both Chinese and English curriculum. 

Location: 327 Ycaza, San Miguel, Manila, 1005 Metro Manila
Phone number: (02) 8735-6386
Tuition fee: starts at P116,000 for incoming Kinder (still subject to change)

Adamson University

Adamson University is a Catholic University situated in the heart of Manila. Dr. George Lucas Adamson, a Greek chemist, founded it in 1932 as the Adamson School of Industrial Chemistry. It became a university in 1941. Today, Adamson is known for being one of the best in the field of chemistry and engineering. They offer basic education programs up to graduate school. 

Location: 900 San Marcelino Street, Ermita, 1000 Manila, Philippines
Phone number: (02) 8524-20-11 local 108
Tuition fee: starts at P42,400 for incoming Grade 1 (still subject to change)

Related: Tuition Fee Guide: Quezon City Progressive And Montessori Preschools

Holy Child Catholic School

Rt. Rev. Msgr. Jose N. Jovellanos, together with four Jesuit priests, during the Liberation Period following World War II, founded the Tondo Parochial School in the site of the defunct Instituto de Mujeres, where the Manila Cathedral School is now located. Classes officiated in 1945. Four years after, the school site was transferred beside the infamous Sto. Niño Church, where the Tondo Orphanage used to stand. Government recognition for the complete elementary course was granted in 1951 and it became a corporation in 1954 as Holy Child Catholic School.

With Christian Living Education in its core, they offer academic programs from early childhood education to senior high school.

Location: Plaza Amado V. Hernandez, Ilaya St, Tondo, Manila, 1012 Metro Manila
Phone Number: (02) 8245 0801
Tuition Fee: starts at P43,400 for incoming Grade 1

Integrated Early Wisdom Learning Center

Arguably the most affordable preschool and grade school in San Andres, Manila, Integrated Early Wisdom Learning Center offers high-quality education without breaking the bank. A DepEd recognized private school, they deliver quality output-based Basic Education which utilizes eclectic method with Montessori Approach.

Integrated Early Wisdom offers preschool & grade school as well as one-on-one tutorial classes. School starts on July 17, 2024 for preschool and July 18, 2024 for grade school.

Location: 2468 Topacio St. San Andres Bukid, Manila, Philippines
Phone number: 0927 9114623
Tuition Fee: full annual fee of P34,050 for Grade 1 (inclusive of books and P1000 discount) and full annual fee of P33, 250 for Kinder (inclusive of books and P1000 discount)

Little Children's School Manila

A preschool and an early intervention school, Little Children's School Manila believes in, and uses the child-centered approach, tapping into the different learning styles. They offer extra-curricular activities like ballet, gymnastics, taekwondo, and voice lessons.

Location: LCSM Bldg. 1621 Maceda St. Brgy. 497, Sampaloc, Manila
Phone Number: (02) 85625401
Tuition Fee: Rates are discussed in person, best time to visit is during weekdays between 8am - 3pm. 

Read Also: Preschools In BGC: Tuition Fees, Programs, And Teaching Method Guide

Holy Trinity Academy of Manila

Established in 1947, Holy Trinity Academy is a Catholic co-educational parochial school, offering basic education from preschool to senior high school. The campus takes pride in its four major buildings for teaching and one for religious gatherings, with the grade school building as the biggest building in the campus. They are offering athletic scholarships and discounts to solo parents, alumni, and those enrolling with siblings. They also offer other incentives for the school year 2024-2025.

Location: Balic-Balic, Calabash Rd, Sampaloc, Maynila, 1008 Kalakhang Maynila
Phone number: (02) 8731 0743
Tuition Fee: starts at P34,087 for incoming Kinder (still subject to change) 

Read Also: Public Schools In Manila: Your Ultimate List