Cebu International School

Cebu International School is located in Pit-os, Cebu City, Philippines . The campus sits on a 3.2-hectare site in the northwest suburbs of Cebu City and opened at this location in 2000. The on-site campus includes a 40-bed Student Residence and is within a guarded, walled campus.

Early Years (EY2–EY3) for ages 3–4; Primary Years (Kindergarten–Grade 5); Middle Years (Grade 6–10); Diploma Programme (Grade 11–12). The school follows the IB continuum across these levels. The current IB programmes and their grade ranges are described on CIS's Diploma Programme, Middle Years Programme, and Primary Years pages.

CIS is a private international school that operates as a day school and also offers on-site boarding for older students; a CIS Student Residence on campus provides housing for Grades 7–12. The residence is on-site and accommodates students with full, weekly, and nightly options.

CIS provides Learning Needs Support on a case-by-case basis, with a dedicated Learning Needs Coordinator and a tiered support structure (Tier 1–3). There is English as an Additional Language (EAL) support and MAP testing used to guide interventions. Some services may incur additional charges as part of the admissions process.

CIS is an international/private school based in the Philippines with no formal country affiliation.

The school operates as a secular option with no religious affiliation.

The school year runs from August to June. CIS offers an IB curriculum across all levels, with after-school activities and structured programs; elementary and middle/high activities run in the late afternoon, with ISAC practices scheduled after the regular day. Open-campus events and calendars are published on CIS pages.

CIS offers a limited on-campus bus facility with routes to a few key locations in Cebu City. Access to full bus routes is coordinated through the Admissions office, and service depends on demand and approval.

CIS offers an IB continuum: the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for Early Years through Grade 5, the Middle Years Programme (MYP) for Grades 6–10, and the Diploma Programme (DP) for Grades 11–12, and it has been authorized to offer the IB Diploma Programme since 1999. In the PYP (EY2–Grade 5), learning is inquiry-based and transdisciplinary, with integrated units spanning English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Arts, World Languages, and Personal and Social Education; English instruction aligns with Common Core Standards. The MYP (Grade 6–10) applies the IB framework focusing on knowledge, concepts, skills and attitudes across core subject areas, with CIS providing a detailed MYP prospectus. In the DP (Grade 11–12), students typically take six subjects across Groups 1–6 (with three to four at Higher Level) and complete the DP Core—Creativity, Activity, Service; Theory of Knowledge; and the Extended Essay. DP instruction is offered in English, with options for Group 2 languages such as Mandarin and Spanish, and assessment includes external examinations alongside internal assessments.

The school runs a pastoral care and counseling program to support students' social and emotional development. Counselors support teachers through the pastoral care program, and the program is delivered via homeroom teachers. All CIS teachers are expected to support students' social-emotional development and provide appropriate guidance where needed. Counselors provide individual and group counseling addressing academic/behavioral, personal/social, and college/career guidance. They participate in Student Support Services Team meetings to discuss special needs and to develop intervention strategies, and they assess students' social and academic strengths. Guidance Information Drives highlight topics relevant to development and personal wellbeing.

The school has a Learning Needs Department that identifies and supports students with learning needs. The Learning Needs Support Team comprises a Learning Needs Coordinator, a Learning Needs Teacher, Learning Needs Support, and a Learning Needs Assistant. The school uses a tiered model (Tier 1-3) with in-class modifications, targeted instruction, and occasional 1-1 support, delivered under the direction of the Learning Needs team. The school educates students with low-to-medium levels of additional learning needs, including physical or mental disabilities or emotional disorders, but does not have resources to cater to medium-to-high levels of needs. Admission and readmission for students with learning needs, including EAL, are at the discretion of the School, and there is an additional charge for these services.

The EAL program is in-house and supports students from diverse nationalities. EAL is the learning support provided to students with minimal ability to speak, read, or write in English. An English assessment is provided during admissions, and based on results, students may be placed in Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced levels. There is suitable support provided for students at all stages of language acquisition.

Mental wellbeing is supported through CIS's counseling program. Counselors provide individual and group counseling and follow-up with students, teachers, and parents in the areas of academic/behavioral, personal/social, and college and career guidance. The counseling team participates in Student Support Services Team meetings to discuss students' social and emotional needs and to develop intervention strategies. Guidance Information Drives highlight mental wellbeing topics relevant to student development.

CIS has a Child Protection Policy. The privacy notice states that CIS upholds the CIS Child Protection Policy and implements safeguarding and data privacy policies.

Step I. Inquiry. Prospective families may submit inquiries online via the OpenApply platform, and the Admissions staff will respond to set up a time for a visit or online discussion. Families can book a school tour or arrange a video call to ask questions about CIS and the admissions process; responses are provided within 24 hours to schedule the time. This step initiates the process and helps families understand CIS's offering and fit.

Step II. Documentation. Applicants must prepare a folder of documents: a completed Enrollment Form with the student photo; authentic copies of school records with the latest ratings and English translations if needed; recommendations from the previous school; birth certificate; notarized Guardianship Affidavits if applicable; a Health Registration Form with Immunization records; and, for non-Filipino applicants, copies of passport and BI-related documents. If visa arrangements are in process (tourist/SSP), these items accompany the submission.

Step III. Submission of application form and Application Fee. The parent/guardian submits the necessary paperwork and pays the non-refundable Application Fee of Php10,000 upon submission of the listed documents. This step confirms formal submission and starts the formal evaluation timeline.

Step IV. Initial Evaluation of Documents and Reservation. The Admissions Officer and the School Counsellor review the application and supporting documents. With advice from Admissions, the parent/guardian may pay a reservation fee of Php40,000; placement is finalized by the principal, and the reservation is non-refundable.

Step V. Assessment. All applicants take an entrance assessment. This includes an academic proficiency test for Grade 2 and up and an English as an Additional Language (EAL) assessment if needed; for Preschool to Grade 1, assessment is via classroom observation by the counselor or Student Support Head. Returning CIS students within one year or more may be required to pay the application fee and re-entry assessment again.

Step VI. Principal's Interview & Enrollment Confirmation. The principal conducts an interview with the parent/guardian and student. The principal finalizes enrollment and placement, with the Admissions decision recommended to the Superintendent for approval. If approved, the Admissions Officer provides an acceptance letter and details such as the class supply list (for grades 6–12), uniform information, and fee payment details.

Step VII. Payment of School Fees. After admission is approved, the accounting team issues a Statement of Accounts (SOA). The Entrance Fee is a one-time fee charged during the student's CIS schooling and applies even if the student leaves and returns later, provided the entrance fee was paid before leaving; the parent then pays the remaining school fees as indicated in the SOA and purchases school uniforms.

Step VIII. Entering Classes at CIS. Students are invited to start attendance on the most appropriate day after payment is received and recorded, allowing time for teacher preparation. The start date is coordinated with school events and is at least one working day after payment clearance.

Step IX. Re-enrollment Procedures for Returning Students. To reserve a space for the upcoming year, returning families complete the Reservation/Re-enrollment Form and pay the PHP 40,000 reservation fee. A re-enrollment link is sent by CIS. Health records should be updated via a Health Form, and school fees are paid as stated in the SOA. Returning students do not pay the Entrance Fee again.

CIS offers the CIS Student Excellence Scholarship, a full-tuition renewable scholarship for outstanding Filipino students from Philippine schools who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and potential to thrive in an international learning environment. The scholarship is open to Filipino students entering Grade 9 in August 2026 who have only local Philippine school experience (no prior international or overseas school experience). Eligible candidates are evaluated on academic achievement, leadership, intercultural fit, and contributions to student life. Applicants must meet standard CIS admissions requirements and pass the CIS Scholarship Committee's process.

When the number of eligible applicants exceeds the class capacity, CIS places applicants on a Waitlist. The school reserves the right to prioritize waitlisted applicants using criteria such as class balance (nationality, EAL and Learning Needs numbers, gender), family situation, EAL/LN support capabilities, the presence of siblings at CIS, alumni children, other educational options, returning students in good standing, and the timing of the application (earlier applications receive precedence if all other factors are equal). Admission decisions then consider documentation and placement needs, and a final decision rests with the principal and superintendent after review by the Enrollment Committee.