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Keys School Manila

Philippines, Manila

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· Reviewed by · B2C Marketing Manager

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 2 - 18 years
Type Co-educational
Opened 2006
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (DP), Reggio Emilia Approach
Taught languages English, Filipino
Typical class size 15
Strengths STEM, Languages, Visual and Creative Arts
Clubs Community and Service, Arts and Creative, Academic and Intellectual
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, Kindergarten
Introduction

Keys School Manila, located in Mandaluyong City, operates a progressive, inquiry-based curriculum spanning from infant care to Grade 12. The early years program follows the Reggio Emilia approach, utilizing play and hands-on experiences to develop foundational literacy and numeracy. In the upper grades, the school offers multiple tracks, including the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) and a local DepEd diploma pathway. The school maintains a 15:1 student-to-teacher ratio, allowing for individualized attention and collaborative, project-based learning. Facilities include a library with over 32,000 resources. A distinctive offering is the "Forming Foundations" program for toddlers, alongside supplemental short courses in gymnastics and music. Secondary students engage in interdisciplinary coursework, combining subjects like Robotics, Tech Ed, and the Arts. With an emphasis on practical application, students are regularly assessed through performance tasks rather than standardized testing, ensuring they can apply concepts to real-world scenarios.

H2RP+PX8, Luna Mencias, Mandaluyong City, 1550 Kalakhang Maynila, Philippines

The Essentials

Keys School Manila has typical class sizes of 15, instruction in English.

Location
951 Luna Mencias St. corner Araullo St., Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, Philippines. The mailing address is 951 Luna Mencias St. corner Araullo St., Addition Hills. Directions describe routes from Makati Avenue and Aurora Boulevard, with additional access from Shaw Boulevard and Gomezville along Araullo St.

Stages
Preschool to Kindergarten, Primary, Secondary, and College Prep. The Preschool to Kindergarten program is Reggio-Emilia inspired, and the College Prep program leads into the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. The school presents a full K-12 pathway on its programs pages.

Type
Co-educational; Day school. The IB profile confirms gender as coed and a day-boarding arrangement (DAY).

Additional learning support
The Wellness Center attends to academic, physical and socio-emotional needs. A Learning Support program offers one-on-one or small-group help with Learning Support Specialists, life coaches and a guidance team; a nurse provides health care. Keys also describes an inclusive approach with ‘Students with Special Rights' in its admissions and support processes.

Country affiliation
No formal country-specific affiliation is published beyond the school's location in the Philippines. The school is located in the Philippines (country/territory: Philippines).

Religious affiliation
Catholic formation is offered through the CLE program for those who wish to participate. The program includes catechesis, Mass, devotions and guidance, with Seventh Graders prepared for Confirmation and involvement with the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish. Participation is voluntary.

School day structure
Public-facing daily start and end times are not published for Keys School Manila. The school operates a day program across its Preschool to Grade 12 levels; admissions references include two-day assessments for some primary intake and a half-day format for high school entry.

Bus service
A dedicated Keys School Manila bus service is not publicly published. Nearby public transit access exists, with bus routes and train stations in the Shaw area and Mandaluyong, according to third-party transit listings. Families may arrange transport through local providers or use nearby bus/rail options.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
Keys School Manila operates as a day school and does not provide boarding facilities. There are no on-site dormitories or residential accommodations for students. The school is an IB World School, authorized since March 14, 2019.

Governance and Ownership
Keys School Manila is a private school. It operates as Keys School Manila, Inc. It is an IB World School since March 14, 2019.
Fees
Application fees
- The school requires a non‑refundable admissions assessment fee to submit an application; the assessment fee must be paid as part of the application process.

Tuition fees by year group (per term / per year)
- The school does not publish a public fee table with current per‑year or per‑term tuition amounts. Complete tuition figures are provided directly to families during the admissions process or at the school tour; specific annual and term breakdowns are supplied with the application/admission paperwork.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- An acceptance triggers a reservation payment that must be paid immediately to secure an offered slot; this reservation payment is non‑refundable and non‑transferable.
- The application assessment fee is paid during application and is non‑refundable.
- The school issues invoicing and a payment schedule to enrolled families as part of admission/registration; the detailed tuition installment schedule (term dates and due dates) is provided to families with written billing information.

Boarding fees
- Boarding is not applicable: the school operates as a day school (no boarding facilities).

Other costs and fees (uniforms, extras, supplemental programs)
- Uniform: a school uniform is required; the school lists uniform requirements although individual uniform prices are not published in a public fee schedule. Families should expect to purchase required uniform items.
- Learning support: students receiving learning‑support or shadow‑teacher services may incur additional fees for those services.
- Short courses / supplemental programs: short courses and extended‑day/after‑school options are offered and include registration fees or program fees; some short‑course registration fees include materials. Exact program fees are provided at registration or the program sign‑up.
- Field trips, special activities or optional programs may carry separate charges; those costs are set per trip or program and billed as applicable.

Refund information
- The admissions assessment fee and the reservation fee are explicitly non‑refundable. The school's published admissions guidance describes those fees as non‑refundable and non‑transferable. Specific tuition refund terms (if any) for mid‑term withdrawal or other circumstances are not published in a public fee schedule.

Fee payment options
- Accepted payment channels include bank transfers to school accounts (BDO, BPI, Security Bank) and online payment through Dragonpay. Families are instructed to submit proof of payment to the admissions/admin email when paying by bank transfer or Dragonpay; Dragonpay payments reference the Applicant ID/Student No.
- The admissions process notes use of a secure online payment system that accepts multiple payment methods for assessment and admissions payments.
Academics

Keys School Manila teaches IB (DP), Reggio Emilia Approach for students aged 2 to 18.

Curriculum
Keys School Manila delivers an integrated, inquiry-based curriculum from preschool through college preparation, prioritizing hands-on projects, expeditionary learning, and critical thinking. Preschool to Kindergarten is Reggio-Emilia inspired, with The Hundred Languages of Loris Malaguzzi guiding expression across the arts, literature, and other media, and the learning environment acting as the third teacher. Primary is divided into Lower Primary (Grades 1–3) and Upper Primary (Grades 4–6), with a spiral, content-rich program across Social Studies, Science, Literacy, Math, Filipino, Arts, PE, HELE, and CLE. Secondary continues with applied studies, arts, CLE, and a broad range of subjects including Communication Arts, Filipino, Literacy, Math, PE, and Robotics and Tech Ed, with a project- and inquiry-based approach. College Prep centers on the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, including core elements Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, and CAS, and DP subject groups such as Individuals and Societies, Language Acquisition, Mathematics, Sciences, Studies in Language and Literature, and The Arts; instruction is in English and Filipino, with additional language offerings such as Spanish, French, and Mandarin.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Keys School Manila supports Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) through its Wellness Center, which looks into the academic, physical, and socio-emotional needs of every student. The center has a qualified team including learning specialists, life coaches, a guidance counselor, and a nurse who collaborate with parents and teachers to address child-to-school related issues. The Learning Support program assists students with learning challenges, offered one-on-one or in small groups as needed. The Guidance and Life Coaching program helps students develop personal and social skills, with a homeroom program tailored to the age group. The Career Counseling program provides career talks, fairs, and workshops to help students explore options after high school and college, and includes parent talks to support families in navigating a tech-driven culture.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Inclusion is highly valued at Keys School Manila, with a focus on students who have learning barriers. All classes are observed by learning support specialists and life coaches, providing additional support for students with Special Rights in regular classrooms. Admissions note that diagnostic reports from specialists/therapists and a developmental pediatrician endorsement may be required, and a shadow-teacher may be prerequisites for some cases. The school highlights an array of intervention systems and ongoing progress reviews to support learners. Most openings are available at Kindergarten, reflecting the school's inclusive approach rather than operating as a specialist SEN institution.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding EAL support. Language of instruction is English and Filipino, according to the IB World School profile for Keys School Manila.

Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is addressed through the Wellness Center, which attends to students' academic, physical, and socio-emotional needs. The center employs learning specialists, life coaches, a guidance counselor, and a nurse who work together with parents and teachers to support students. The Learning Support program provides targeted help for learners with challenges, either individually or in small groups. The Guidance and Life Coaching programs focus on personal and social growth via age-appropriate activities. Career Counseling and related workshops help students plan for life after high school, contributing to overall wellbeing and purpose.

Safeguarding
Keys School Manila prohibits bullying in all forms, aligned with RA 10627, and maintains an Anti-Bullying Committee to oversee prevention and intervention. Intervention programs include counseling, life skills training, and education, with procedures to ensure victim safety and appropriate follow-up. The Standing Together article emphasizes a safe, bully-free environment supported by the Wellness Department and life coaches. Parents are involved in bullying prevention through discussions and training, reinforcing safeguarding across the school.
Parent Experience

History
Keys School Manila began as Keys Grade School, founded in 2006 by seven educators who pursued progressive education following Explorations Preschool. The founders included graduates of Bank Street College of Education in New York, guiding the school's emphasis on learning-by-doing and inquiry-based curricula that valued each child's development. In 2013, Keys Grade School expanded to offer a full K–12 program and was renamed Keys School Manila to reflect the broader scope. In 2014, the Keys Institute for Education was established as the school's teacher-training arm. In 2019, thirteen students enrolled in the IB Diploma Programme, signaling the school's ongoing growth and its exposure to international pre-university preparation.

Community
Keys School Manila sustains an active school community consisting of students, families, alumni, staff, and local partners. The school maintains a calendar of events that strengthens bonds across grade levels, including Christmas Concerts, Friendship Day, workshops, Eucharistic celebrations, a Fun Run, and parent socials. Keyesta Family Day in 2024 exemplified community-wide engagement, bringing together the entire community for performances, booths, and fundraising. The Community page highlights elements such as Community Ambassadors and Parent Ambassadors, and provides a School Calendar to keep families informed.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Keys School Manila structures parent involvement around Keys Parent Ambassadors, selected to represent each grade and connect families with the school. Ambassadors' duties include welcoming new families, inviting them to admissions events, providing testimonials, and relaying feedback to school staff. The school describes parent involvement as essential, noting that it takes a village to raise children and benefits learning, development, and school life. Key events such as Keyesta Family Day—an activity that includes parents, alumni and local partners—illustrate how fundraising and community engagement support teacher development. Parent volunteers participate in programs, attend family activities, surveys, and school communications, and help coordinate with coaches and teachers. The school maintains a community calendar and events pages to coordinate activities and invite broader involvement.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The library supports the school's literacy program across PreK to IB levels and helps students access information through books and online platforms. The Keys Science Laboratory is designed for hands-on, inquiry-based learning and includes safety features such as an emergency eyewash/shower, a first aid kit, fire extinguishers, and a separate room for chemicals and glassware. Robotics and Tech Ed engage students in mechanics, electronics, and programming, with emphasis on digital projects such as business web design and Excel tasks. The Atelier provides a dedicated creative space with visual arts materials, musical instruments, puppets, and a projector for shadow play. Outdoor spaces include a playground that supports outdoor learning and physical development, complemented by a Wellness Center that offers a multidisciplinary team including learning specialists, life coaches, a guidance counselor, and a nurse.

Academic Facilities
The library supports literacy and digital literacy across grade levels, with librarians helping students access information through books and online platforms. The Keys Science Laboratory emphasizes hands-on, inquiry-based science learning and provides a dedicated space for experiments, safety equipment, and a separate room for chemicals and glassware. The Robotics and Tech Ed program exposes students to mechanics, electronics, and programming, including digital projects and practical business-related tech tasks. The Atelier offers a creative space for visual arts and performing arts with accessible materials and equipment, including art tools, musical instruments, and a projector for presentations and demonstrations.

Extra Curricular Facilities
The Atelier serves as a hub for arts and performing arts activities with ready access to creative materials and equipment. The library runs programs such as read-aloud days and book fairs as part of its learning-enrichment offerings. The school's outdoor playground supports physical development and collaborative play as part of daily outdoor time. The Wellness Center provides support services for students, including learning support, life coaching, guidance counseling, and health care.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Keys School Manila offers opportunities for academic enrichment beyond the classroom through Model United Nations (MMUN), which develops research, public speaking, and diplomatic skills. The school participates in MMUN events such as MMUN 2024, where Grade 8-9 students engaged in global diplomacy and debate. The Mathematics program includes events and approaches like Math Week, Hands-On Math, and the Singapore CPA method, linking math concepts to real-life contexts.

Arts & Creative
The Arts Program covers visual arts and performing arts and emphasizes communication in artistic disciplines. The program includes events such as a Keys Arts Fair and various school performances, with spaces for exhibition and display within the school. The Arts Department also engages with resource people and invitations to participate in exhibitions to broaden arts education.

Cultural & Language
Language Acquisition offers multiple languages, with structured coursework across languages to build proficiency and cross-cultural understanding. After-school Chinese classes are offered to support ongoing language development. Filipino language and literature are taught through the Filipino Curriculum, with Fridays designated for Filipino communication.

Social & Hobbies
Preschool Extended Day provides optional extended hours on most days, with opportunities for academic instruction, social play, and project work. Short Courses offer 4-week immersive topics for ages 2.6 to 6, with hands-on learning experiences. Community days include field trips to museums or parks and visits from local artists or community members. Keyesta Family Day strengthens school-community connections and supports teacher development.

Community & Service
Community service and service-learning projects are embedded in the curriculum. Keyesta Family Day is a school-community event that supports outreach and teacher development. Earth Day-related activities and partnerships with external organizations, such as planetary health initiatives, reflect the school's outreach and community-education efforts.

Leadership & Professional
Career Counseling offers students career talks, fairs, and workshops to explore college and career options after high school, along with mentoring to support decision-making. Participation in MMUN develops leadership, public speaking, and negotiation skills. Guidance and Life Coaching support personal and social growth through age-appropriate programs and homeroom activities.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The Wellness Center provides resources for academic, physical, and socio-emotional needs, with learning specialists, life coaches, a guidance counselor, and a nurse. Physical Education emphasizes fitness, motor skills, teamwork, fair play, and culminates in term-end sport competitions. Earth Day and planetary health initiatives reflect the school's emphasis on wellbeing and environmental awareness.
Languages

Language Provision
English and Filipino are the primary languages of instruction in the IB Diploma Programme. In addition to those core languages, the Diploma Programme offers Ab Initio language courses in Mandarin, French, and Spanish. Filipino language studies are supported by a dedicated Filipino Curriculum, and there is an after-school Chinese class for additional language study. Languages are taught across levels, with Ab Initio courses for beginners and DP-level language study alongside core English and Filipino instruction.

Bilingual Teaching
The language of instruction at Keys School Manila's IB Diploma Programme is English and Filipino. The Diploma Programme includes English A: Language and Literature and Filipino A: Literature, and offers Ab Initio language courses in Mandarin, French, and Spanish. Filipino language studies are supported by a Filipino Curriculum, and an after-school Chinese class provides additional language study. Keys School Manila serves students aged 2-18, with the IB Diploma Programme available in the upper secondary years.
Reputation

Accreditations
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). Keys School Manila offers the IB Diploma Programme and began providing it in 2019, placing the school within the IB World School network. This accreditation indicates alignment with IB standards and external assessment for an internationally recognized curriculum. Evidence of the program's presence at Keys is shown by the 2019 introduction of the DP and related IB materials on the school's pages, and by IB's own listing of Keys as an IB-participating school since 2019.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Schedule a school tour. The admissions process begins with a school tour, and reservations are required. School tours are conducted on weekdays and are expected to take about two hours., corner Araullo St., Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City.

2. Fill out the application form and submit required documents. After the tour, you receive an application form and tuition-fee information during the school tour. Submit the completed application form along with the grade-appropriate documents: PSA birth certificate (Preschool and Kindergarten); marriage certificate if applicable; progress reports; recommendation letters (Kindergarten; Grades 1–6 and 7–11); worksheets such as report cards and LRN where required; and any other documents listed per grade. For non-Filipino applicants, additional documents may be requested (e.g., enrollment certification, passport pages, visa, etc.).

3. Pay the admissions assessment fee. The admissions team will send payment details by email and you should submit proof of payment. Accepted payment methods include bank transfers (BDO, BPI, Security Bank) and Dragonpay; use the Applicant ID for processing. This step finalizes your submission for the assessment phase.

4. Take the admissions assessment and attend the parent interview. All applicants will complete an on-campus assessment, and parents are invited to participate in a live or virtual parent interview. Assessments are designed to gauge literacy and math competencies, as well as behavior and attitude. The interview provides an opportunity for the admissions team to understand how the school can support the child.

5. Await the results. The final admission decision is communicated via email. If your child is offered admission, the school will provide next steps for enrollment. Note: after an acceptance, a reservation is required to secure the slot (non-refundable and non-transferable if the family does not enroll).

Scholarships
Publicly published scholarship programs for Keys School Manila are not documented on the Manila-based site.

Waitlist
There is no publicly published waitlist or pool system described in Keys School Manila's admissions materials.
School Events
The school has not added events
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