CISM’s IBO diploma programme delivers globally recognized academics, preparing students for university success through the rigorous IBDP Philippines curriculum experience.
Chinese International School Manila (CISM) chooses the best curriculum to prepare students for life beyond the classroom. Grade 11 and 12 students at CISM follow curriculum instruction from the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP).
The two-year programme is intended for highly motivated students who desire an academically challenging and balanced curriculum that will prepare them for success at university and life beyond. Full diploma students take three (3) Higher Level and three (3) Standard Level subjects from six (6) Subjects Groups, and are expected to undertake the IB Core of Creativity, Activity and Service; Theory of Knowledge; and the Extended Essay. Subjects at CISM are clustered into six groups, following the IBDP Subject Groups.
Diploma Programme Courses
For students not pursuing the full programme, it is possible to sit examinations for one or more DP courses. These students will receive the “Diploma Programme (DP) Courses Results.”
The Diploma Programme is an independent and separate academic programme that CISM (as an IB World School since February 2011) has been officially authorized to offer its high school students in Grades 11 and 12. CISM is duty bound to comply with all the requirements of the International Baccalaureate Organization for all of its IB World Schools. Using carefully researched educational practices, CISM is committed to providing the highest standard of education to ensure that the students will be equipped to apply to the best colleges and universities in the Philippines and internationally.
IB Diploma Programme Model
Abstract Artist
Mother of 2 CISM students and 1 CISM Alumnus
The Mathematics Department at CISM thrives on a strong culture of collaboration and shared purpose. As a team, we engage in meaningful weekly meetings and uphold rigorous standards through careful review and refinement of instructional materials. This collective approach ensures both consistency and excellence in the quality of our work. ... We also place great importance on continuous improvement, regularly evaluating our curriculum and lesson progression, with a comprehensive review conducted at the end of each academic year to ensure alignment with best practices and learning outcomes. Equally important is the value we place on the insights of our parents and students. Their feedback plays a vital role in shaping our approach, as we remain committed to delivering an international-standard Mathematics education. Guided by dedication and a genuine passion for teaching, we strive to give our very best to our students—the CISM Dragons. Read More
Academic Coordinator - Mathematics
Guidance Counselor
CISM Middle and High School
CISM is a truly unique international school in Manila. While our name reflects strong connections with the Asian community, our campus is home to a diverse mix of students and families from around the world. Many Western families are drawn to CISM for its strong academic foundation, including the U.S. Common Core Standards and the IB Diploma Program. In this ... multicultural environment, our students grow into confident global citizens who are academically prepared, culturally aware, and ready to make a positive impact in an interconnected world. Read More
Head of School
CISM emphasizes a nurturing environment with small class sizes and specialist teachers, helping students become confident, kind, resilient and curious learners. And the curriculum is very intensive which prepares my kids for their future endeavors. In addition, the school is truly international with several students from ... various countries. They promote global citizenship, empathy, respect and cross-cultural understanding which may benefit the kids with how they interact with other people. I highly recommend CISM for parents out there who want a holistic learning approach! Read More
Marketing Head
Mother of 2 CISM students
Businesswoman
Mother of 1 CISM student and 1 CISM Alumnus
"My wife and I initially chose CISM for our children on reputation alone. It is consistently named as one of the top schools in Manila. After three years at the school, we can say that its reputation is well earned. At CISM, the academics are top notch. Our children’s math skills far exceed students at other schools and learning Mandarin is invaluable in this modern world. Combine that ... with great extracurricular activities and lifelong friendships and we couldn’t be happier with our choice of CISM". Read More
Executive Chef and Restaurateur
Father to 2 Elementary CISM students.
The emphasis on developing the qualities of a global citizen, alongside CISM’s core values, plays a vital role in shaping students like me into the leaders of tomorrow. CISM consistently encourages us to engage in experiences beyond the prescribed curriculum—opportunities that deepen our understanding of both local and global issues, and challenge us to think about how we can respond meaningfully. ... Through this support, students are given countless opportunities to strengthen essential skills such as problem-solving, collaboration, and reflection—skills that will serve us well as we transition into the professional world. More importantly, this environment of empowerment has allowed me to recognize my strengths and build the confidence to create positive social change within my community and beyond. Read More
CISM Student
& Student Council President
At CISM, I have discovered that leadership isn’t simply taught - it is ignited. From day one, CISM's culture of embracing bold challenges paired with their unwavering support has encouraged me to go outside of my comfort zone,empowering me to turn ideas into meaningful action and to also take charge of it. ... Throughout this journey, CISM has equipped me with the tools to navigate through tough decisions, collaborate effectively, and build confidence that drives a real impact in my community and beyond. Read More
CISM Student and
Student Council Vice-President
The CISM community has empowered me by opening meaningful avenues to build friendships and intellectual connections. It has nurtured in me, a strong sense of belonging,even within diverse environments and communities. This inclusive atmosphere has encouraged me to confidently share my ideas, experiences, ... and perspectives, while also learning from others. Each interaction becomes a genuine exchange of worldviews—one that reflects the essence of global citizenship and fosters a deeper sense of connection to a broader international community. Read More
CISM Student and
Student Council Secretary
The Early Years (EY), encompassing Nursery, Pre-Kindergarten, and Kindergarten, is a formative stage for children aged 3 to 5.
Our Elementary School program, spanning Grades 1 to 5 for students aged 6 to 10, builds strong academic foundations.
The Middle School program builds upon the key learning aspects of the Elementary School program.
Our High School program, serving students aged 14 to 17, is designed to prepare learners with confidence.
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) at Chinese International School Manila is a rigorous two-year pre-university curriculum offered to students in Grades 11 and 12. CISM was authorised to deliver the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) in 2011, making it one of the established IBDP Philippines schools in Metro Manila. Students study six subjects — three at Higher Level and three at Standard Level — drawn from the IB’s six subject groups: Studies in Language and Literature, Language Acquisition, Individuals and Societies, Sciences, Mathematics, and the Arts. In addition, all Diploma students complete the core components: Theory of Knowledge (TOK), an Extended Essay, and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS). CISM students may pursue either the Full IB Diploma or individual Diploma Programme Courses.
The IB curriculum — and particularly the IB Diploma Programme — offers several well-documented benefits for students. First, it is globally recognised: over 5,000 universities across 150 countries accept and actively seek IB graduates, including in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and across Asia. Second, it develops genuinely transferable skills — critical thinking, independent research, ethical reasoning, and intercultural awareness — through its extended essay, Theory of Knowledge component, and community service requirement. Third, IB graduates consistently outperform their peers in measures of university retention and academic engagement. At CISM, the IB Diploma Philippines programme builds directly on the school’s American Core Curriculum, ensuring students enter Grade 11 academically well-prepared for the program’s demands.
The IB Diploma Programme prepares students for university admissions through three mechanisms. First, the academic rigour of Higher Level subjects provides university-level depth in chosen disciplines — many universities offer course credits or advanced standing to IB graduates. Second, the Extended Essay — a 4,000-word independent research paper — develops the research and academic writing skills that are fundamental to undergraduate success. Third, the Theory of Knowledge course develops the critical, interdisciplinary thinking that selective universities value highly in applicants. CISM’s IBDP Philippines graduates have been admitted to prestigious universities including Johns Hopkins University, New York University, Vanderbilt University, and Imperial College London — a testament to the programme’s international standing and CISM’s quality of teaching.
IB assessment combines internal and external components. External assessments — end-of-programme examinations marked by trained IB examiners worldwide — account for the majority of a student’s final grade. Internal assessments are completed during the course and moderated externally by the IBO; these include laboratory reports in Sciences, oral assessments in Languages, and investigations in Mathematics. The Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge essay are assessed separately and contribute a maximum of three additional points to a student’s total score. The maximum International Baccalaureate Diploma score is 45 points; universities typically consider scores of 30 and above competitive. Importantly, IB assessment rewards understanding, application, and critical analysis — not rote memorisation.
Yes, students can transfer into the IB Diploma Philippines Programme from other curricula, though the transition requires careful preparation. At CISM, students entering the IBDP in Grade 11 typically come from the school’s own American Core Curriculum (Grades 1–10), which is specifically designed to build the academic skills, study habits, and intellectual independence that the IB Diploma demands. Students transferring from external schools — whether from Philippine K to 12 Senior High, the Cambridge IGCSE, or other international frameworks — are assessed individually by CISM’s admissions team to determine readiness and appropriate subject choices. Early enquiry is recommended, as IBDP intake places are limited.
When choosing an IB school in Manila, parents should verify three things before anything else: (1) IBO authorisation — only schools officially authorised by the International Baccalaureate Organization can offer the IB Diploma Programme; being a ‘candidate school’ is not the same as being authorised. (2) Teaching quality — the IB is demanding; the quality of subject teachers, particularly at Higher Level, significantly influences student outcomes. (3) Academic pathway — the best IB schools offer a coherent curriculum from early years through to the Diploma, rather than grafting the IB onto an unrelated middle school programme. CISM in BGC has been an IBO-authorised school since 2011 and offers a structured pathway from Preschool through to Grade 12, with the American Core Curriculum preparing students for the IBDP transition.
CISM’s IB Diploma Programme stands apart in three ways. First, it is embedded within a bilingual school: students enter Grade 11 with years of Mandarin Chinese instruction behind them, giving IBDP Language Acquisition students a genuine second-language foundation rather than a surface-level elective. Second, CISM is a small, non-profit school of approximately 300 students — meaning IBDP students receive genuinely personalised academic guidance and know their teachers well, rather than navigating a large institution. Third, CISM’s multicultural community — drawing students from over 30 nationalities — creates the authentic intercultural environment that the IB’s mission demands, preparing graduates not just for university but for leadership in a globally connected world.
