doris
doris
Find Schools
Events
Saved schools
My account
Parent Guide Parent testimonials Community Transparency Charter About For Schools
Currency
G

Greatstart International School Manila

Philippines, Manila

Save school
Share
Navigate

· Reviewed by · B2C Marketing Manager

Independently researched by doris.
Not yet claimed by the school
Claim your profile
The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 18 - 12 years
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum German Curriculum
Taught languages English
Typical class size 7
Strengths Academic Enrichment, Outdoor Education, Languages
Stages Infant/Toddler Care, Preschool, Elementary
Introduction

Greatstart International School Manila offers early childhood education under the GR.A.C.E. Learning Program, a proprietary curriculum based on The Creative Curriculum for Preschool and aligned with state and national early learning standards. The Manila campus is located at 187 Dona Soledad Ave. Extension, Better Living, Paranaque City, Metro Manila, near Nuat Thai and Alfamart. Programs start with Toddlers (as young as 18 months) and run through School Age (up to 12 years), including Toddlers, Nursery I, Nursery II, Pre-K, Kindergarten, School Age, and a Summer Camp. The school day runs Monday–Friday with optional extended care and after-school programs; bus service is available through an accredited provider. Instruction is in English, with English as an Additional Language (EAL) support if needed. The GR.A.C.E. program emphasizes social development, international-mindedness, and a structured yet creative approach to learning. For inquiries, contact the Manila center.

187 Doña Soledad Ave, Better Living, Parañaque, 1711 Metro Manila, Philippines

The Essentials

Greatstart International School Manila has typical class sizes of 7, instruction in English.

Location
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.

Stages
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).

Type
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.

Additional learning support
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.

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

Religious affiliation
No religious affiliation is indicated in the available materials.

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

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

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

House System
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.

Governance and Ownership
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.
Fees
Annual tuition at Greatstart International School Manila ranges from PHP 64,610 to PHP 108,620 depending on year group. Expect an application fee of PHP 3,500 on enrolment.
Academics

Greatstart International School Manila teaches German Curriculum for students aged 18 to 12.

Curriculum
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.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
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.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
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.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
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.

Mental Wellbeing
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.

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

History
Greatstart International School Manila traces its origins to Greatstart Early Learning, a U.S. brand that began in New Jersey in the early 2000s. The original center opened in 2004 as Stepping Stones Learning Center and later adopted the Greatstart name as it expanded within the United States. In 2008, current owners Johanna and Peter Badenhop took over the New Jersey operation and helped refine the GR.A.C.E curriculum and broaden the program. The Manila campus represents the brand's first international location, created to bring the GR.A.C.E program and U.S.-style early learning standards to the Philippines. The Manila site is part of an international expansion that emphasizes English-language learning and family partnerships.

Community
Greatstart International School Manila emphasizes a collaborative school community that includes families, teachers, and staff. Parents are encouraged to contribute volunteer hours and to participate in regular progress consultations. The school invites families to events such as International Day, house competitions, and Parents Night Out, and offers parent workshops and safety training to support learning at home. This ongoing partnership aims to reinforce students' academic and social development across school and home.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Greatstart International School Manila operates a formal parent involvement program that functions similarly to a PTA. Parents are encouraged to volunteer and to participate in regular consultations and progress reviews with teachers. The parent community helps organize and participate in events such as International Day, house-based competitions, and Parents Night Out. They also engage in ongoing learning through workshops on literacy and mathematics activities for home, child safety training, and Back to School Night. Regular communications and family involvement are framed as essential to maintaining program quality and supporting students' social and academic growth.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Greatstart International School Manila is located at 187 Dona Soledad Ave. Extension, Better Living Subdivision (BLS), Paranaque City, Metro Manila. The Toddlers classroom is designed with a large indoor motor area and an outdoor play space. The curriculum emphasizes arts, music and imaginative play as part of daily learning. A Video Library is available to families as part of the school's resources, and the school day runs from 7:30am to 4:30pm on weekdays.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school uses the GR.A.C.E. curriculum, a cross-curricular program that nurtures academic and social excellence in early learning. It supports individual learning styles and rhythms, challenging children to progress according to their needs. Classrooms are organized by age—from Toddlers (18 months to 2 years) to School Age (up to 12 years)—with a Summer Camp (2 to 12 years).

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The Greatstart experience describes a nurturing environment for children and collaboration with families. It emphasizes learning at the child's own pace and development of social skills within a supportive framework.
Languages

Language Provision
English is the language of instruction at the Manila campus. English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is available for non-native speakers. The school encourages families to use and develop their native language at home, recognizing the value of multilingual development. Other languages are not listed as instructional languages at this campus. Language offerings beyond English are not specified.

Bilingual Teaching
The school does not offer bilingual education. Instruction is conducted in English only, with English as the primary language of instruction. English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is available to help non-native speakers access the curriculum. The school serves children from 18 months through 12 years (Toddler through School Age, including Nursery to Pre-K and Kindergarten).

Immersion Programs
The school offers the Greatstart International Student Experience Program. Selected students are invited to a 2- to 3-week social immersion experience at one of Greatstart's US schools. The program focuses on social development and cross-cultural exposure by allowing students to experience life and culture in a different educational setting. It emphasizes immersion through supervised interactions to support learning in a new context.
Admissions

Admissions
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.

Scholarships
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.

Waitlist
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.
School Events
The school has not added events
Search for more schools
Search schools in Philippines View all schools in Manila View all schools in Philippines German curriculum schools in Philippines Open days & tours in Manila What is the German curriculum? View all schools Search all schools