Faith Academy

Families comparing international schools in Manila who serve in ministry or want an explicitly Christian education often shortlist Faith Academy, one of the oldest international schools in the country. This profile sets out what GlobalSchoolGuide Editorial has verified about the school: its curriculum and accreditation, where it sits on fees, its admissions rhythm and the community around it. We are independent and no school pays to be listed, so this is a reference for relocating parents rather than a prospectus.

Faith Academy was established in 1957 by missionaries who wanted a dedicated school for their children, beginning with a few dozen pupils before moving to a permanent campus in Rizal. It remains primarily a school for missionary and ministry families, working with around a hundred mission agencies, and serves on the order of several hundred pupils across elementary, middle and high school. The mountainside campus on the eastern edge of Metro Manila gives the school a distinct, community focused character that sets it apart from the city centre internationals. For wider context on what comparable schools charge, see our guide to international school fees in Manila.

Curriculum and academics

Faith Academy teaches a United States based curriculum organised into elementary, middle and high school, so the grade structure and high school diploma will feel familiar to American families. The high school offers Advanced Placement courses, and the school is approved to deliver the AP Capstone diploma programme, a distinction it holds among very few schools in the country. It also offers Cambridge IGCSE options, giving older pupils a recognised set of examination pathways, and additional support such as Korean studies reflects the makeup of its community. Accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the Association of Christian Schools International underpins the academic programme and is renewed on a regular cycle. The combination of an American academic spine, a strong Advanced Placement offer and an explicitly Christian ethos is the school's main point of difference for families weighing Faith Academy against the city's secular internationals.

Faith Academy fees

Faith Academy sits towards the lower to mid band for Manila, more affordable than the city's tier one internationals, in keeping with its mission to serve ministry families. The school publishes a current fee schedule by grade, and many families are supported by their sending agencies. New families should still budget beyond tuition for the one off and recurring charges that apply on enrolment. To judge where Faith Academy sits against other options, read our overview of international school fees in Manila or model a budget with our school fee calculator.

• Registration: one off application and registration fee, normally not refundable
• Capital or facilities fee: a contribution towards the campus applied on enrolment
• Activity and material fees: annual charges billed alongside tuition
• Extras: transport on the mountainside route, meals, trips and examination entry billed in addition

Admissions

Faith Academy admits for the academic year that opens in August and gives priority to the children of missionary and ministry families, which shapes its admissions process. Applications are considered on a rolling basis subject to places, and the school asks for prior school records, references and, for many applicants, a statement of the family's ministry connection alongside an age appropriate readiness check. Because the school exists chiefly to serve a particular community, families outside that community should contact the admissions office early to confirm whether and how they can apply, along with availability in the relevant grade and the documents required.

Location and who goes there

Faith Academy sits on a breezy mountainside campus near Antipolo and Cainta, on the eastern edge of Metro Manila in the province of Rizal. The setting is greener and quieter than the city centre, and the commute makes most sense for families living in the eastern suburbs or those who choose to live near the school for the community it offers. The campus environment, more rural than the Taguig and Makati internationals, is a defining part of the school's appeal for the families it serves.

The community is built around missionary and ministry families from many countries, which gives the school a close, supportive character distinct from the corporate expatriate makeup of the central internationals. A sizeable Korean cohort is reflected in the school's additional Korean studies provision. For families who move on to further postings, the United States diploma, Advanced Placement results and IGCSE qualifications transfer cleanly into American and international schools abroad. Those weighing alternatives often compare Faith Academy with the wider list of international schools in Manila in our directory before booking visits.

Reviews

No verified reviews yet. GlobalSchoolGuide collects first hand parent reviews so relocating families can judge schools on evidence rather than marketing. If your family has attended Faith Academy, you can add your experience through our school reviews page. We publish reviews unedited except for moderation.

Frequently asked questions

If Faith Academy is on your list, it helps to see it next to the other names families shortlist in the city. Our overview of international school fees in Manila and the full directory of international schools in Manila are good next steps before you book visits.