GESM - European Excellence in Manila

The José Rizal School was founded in August 1980 when German parents were looking for a school with international standards and German as the language of instruction. From these humble beginnings our school has since grown to become one of the leading international schools in Manila.

The German European School Manila has developed with the times and now offers German and English as the language of instruction giving an unrestricted transition to any German and international school and university. With its multicultural character in an environment of more than three languages taught at mother tongue level, the school offers a unique opportunity to prepare students to be qualified and responsible members in a global community.

Significant milestones in our development are as follows:

2003/2004 The school was authorized as an IB World school accredited to offer the IB-Diploma Programme for grades 11 and 12.

2010/2011 GESM was inspected and awarded the title of ‘Excellent German School abroad.’

2010/2011 GESM – European Section was authorized as an IB-World-School in its Primary Years Programme (PYP) for Kindergarten through Grade 5.

The school is supported by the German government and follows a rigorous German G8-curriculum. At the same time all members of the school are aware that in the 21st century national curricula have to be extended and global standards also have to be met. As an IB-World School GESM realises in one concept international methods and standards in addition to the traditional in-depth approach of German curricula.

Education and Values

This school with more than 250 students ranging from Kindergarten to IB-Diploma Programme (Abitur) radiates a friendly environment, where academic competences are fostered together with the development of personal skills and values.

We have a highly motivated team of teachers and great attention is paid to individual students’ needs which contribute to the positive learning experience for which the German European School Manila is known.

Respect for all living things, tolerance for other religions and philosophies as well as democratic fundamentals are studied and learned, thus becoming part of everyday life.

Our teaching style fosters inquiry based learning. We encourage our students to become independent, open-minded, self-assured and critical thinkers. Our academic style is based on scientific fact. We give our students the skills, methods and knowledge to help them in their roles as probing thinkers to understand and solve problems.

We encourage our students to develop a life-long love of learning and a willingness to be responsible for themselves and their environment.

The international campus is spacious and incorporates a high level of security. Sport facilities, laboratories and the teachers’ lounge are shared with the French School.

Together we form the European International School, an island of European and international multiculturalism right in the heart of Manila.