Iskola Cebu

International schools in Cebu — IB, Cambridge, Singapore

Cebu has a small but solid international-curriculum bench: one full IB Continuum school (Cebu International School), one Singapore-curriculum school (Singapore School Cebu), and three Cambridge-curriculum schools (CIE British School, Wesley Primrose, Woodridge International).

Tuition spans ₱220k/yr at the entry tier (Wesley Primrose) to ₱1.4M+/yr at the top (Cebu International School full IB). All five teach the required DepEd subjects (Filipino, Araling Panlipunan, ESP) alongside the international track. For families weighing IB vs Cambridge, see the /compare/cis-vs-cie-british-school/ side-by-side and the IB vs Singapore comparison at /compare/cis-vs-singapore-school-cebu/.

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Frequently asked

What counts as an "international school" in Cebu?

In Cebu the label is used loosely. Strictly, an international school teaches a non-Philippine curriculum (IB, Cambridge IGCSE / A-Levels, or Singapore primary) instead of — or alongside — DepEd K-12. The narrow list: Cebu International School (full IB Continuum), Singapore School Cebu (Singapore + Cambridge + IB DP), CIE British School (Cambridge + DepEd), Wesley Primrose Academy (Cambridge), and Woodridge International School (Cambridge + DepEd). Many other private schools self-describe as "international" but only run the national curriculum.

How much do international schools cost in Cebu?

Tuition spans a wide range. Cebu International School (full IB) runs roughly ₱825,000–₱1,445,000 per year across the K-12 arc — the highest in the province. Singapore School Cebu is in the ₱400,000–₱700,000/yr band. Wesley Primrose Academy runs ₱220,000–₱320,000/yr. CIE British School and Woodridge International don't publish fees publicly — inquire directly. Always budget another 10–20% on top for capital fees, books, uniforms, and IB / Cambridge exam fees in the senior years.

IB vs Cambridge vs Singapore — what's the difference?

IB (International Baccalaureate) is a holistic, inquiry-based continuum: PYP (early years to Grade 5), MYP (Grades 6–10), DP (Grades 11–12). Cambridge (Cambridge International Education) runs in terminal exams: Primary Checkpoint, Lower Secondary Checkpoint, IGCSE at age 16, then A-Levels at 18. Singapore curriculum mirrors the Singapore Ministry of Education syllabus (rigorous math + science emphasis, PSLE-style assessments at primary). All three are globally portable for university admission; pick by teaching style — IB is broad and project-based, Cambridge is exam-anchored and subject-focused, Singapore is structured and math-heavy.

Do international schools in Cebu still teach Filipino and Araling Panlipunan?

Yes — any school operating in the Philippines must teach Filipino, Araling Panlipunan, and Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao (ESP) per DepEd policy, even if the main academic track is IB or Cambridge. The hours per week are usually lighter than at a traditional DepEd school, and Filipino is sometimes taught as a foreign-language subject for non-Filipino students. Confirm the specific weekly schedule with each school's registrar.

Will an international-school diploma help my child apply to universities abroad?

Yes, both IB Diploma and Cambridge A-Levels are recognized by virtually every major university worldwide (UK, US, Canada, Australia, Singapore, EU). IB DP is especially well-regarded for US liberal-arts admissions; Cambridge A-Levels is the standard pathway for UK universities. Local universities (UP, Ateneo, La Salle, USC) also accept both, though some still require the UPCAT / ACET / DLSUCET on top of the international qualification.

Is there an international school in Mandaue or Lapu-Lapu?

Singapore School Cebu (A.S. Fortuna, Mandaue) is the main one outside Cebu City proper, running the Singapore primary curriculum with a Cambridge IGCSE + IB DP pathway for upper secondary. Woodridge International School also has a Mandaue campus. There are no full IB or Cambridge schools inside Lapu-Lapu (Mactan) — most international-curriculum families on Mactan commute over the bridge to Cebu City or Mandaue daily.

When does enrollment open at international schools in Cebu?

Most international schools follow a January–March main admissions window for the August school-year start. Cebu International School and Singapore School Cebu cap section sizes early; popular grades fill 6–9 months ahead. Cambridge schools (CIE British, Wesley Primrose) tend to have rolling admissions but still recommend applying by April. Bring a portfolio of report cards (last 2 years), a recommendation letter, and budget for a child interview + readiness assessment.

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