More About Us
School Year
The school year generally begins in early August and ends the last week of May. The academic year averages roughly 180 student contact days per year and is divided into two semesters of two quarters each. There is a long break at Christmas, and a one week break at Easter.
Extended School Year
If due to political, natural or other causes, the required minimum number of school days is not met, the Board may extend the school year to reach the desired number of school days.
School Days
School begins at 7:55 a.m. except for the Thursday late start at 8:45 a.m. School ends at 2:20 p.m. for Kinder to grade 2 and 2:30 p.m. for Grades 3 to 12. Pre‐Kinder classes are dismissed at 11:15 a.m.
The Upper and Middle Schools follow a block schedule of four eighty‐to‐ninety minute periods per day, alternating Day 1 and Day 2. The Lower School currently runs the same system but with a Monday to Friday schedule.
Note:
Parents are requested not to have children at school earlier than fifteen minutes before the beginning of the school day, or later than fifteen minutes after dismissal. It is also requested that Lower School children are not expected to wait for siblings after school. Separate transportation should be arranged if, due to sports or activities, siblings have differing departures times. This is for safety purposes; there is no supervision for LS students after 2:45 p.m., unless they are participating in a sport or activity.
Dress Code
- Students are required to wear the prescribed School Uniform:
- Every school day
- During field trips, unless otherwise indicated,
- At official school events
- House Uniform is required on days when there are school wide House Activities.
- Shoes – must be flats or leather type. Rubber soles are acceptable. No high heels. Black, brown or maroon are acceptable. Tennis or Basketball shoes are for P.E. only.
- For boys, hair must be no longer than collar length; no beards or mustaches.
No extreme hair styles, and no earrings are allowed. - For Girls, no heavy make‐up or ostentatious jewelry.
- Students who do not conform to the Dress Code may be sent home.
Occasionally, a Free Dress Day may be declared. On these days, students are expected to dress appropriately, in accordance with the rules of good taste.
The following are not permitted:
- Halter tops, half T‐shirts, sweat or T‐shirts displaying indecent, vulgar or offensive slogans, non‐tailored shorts or beach shorts.
- Army fatigues of any sort.
- Other inappropriate attire, as determined by the Headmaster.
College and Career Orientation
Brent International School Manila is primarily a college‐preparatory institution so its main goal is to prepare students for admission to the college or university of their choice anywhere in the world. Beginning with the second semester of Grade 11, students and parents are invited to a College Admissions seminar and assisted in starting the college‐selection process. Individual “Junior Interviews” with Grade 11 students, their parents and the Guidance Counselors are conducted in February and March of that semester. More information on these and other College and Guidance‐related programs and issues can be found at the very complete Guidance website located under the School Programs tab.
Brent School is also an official testing center for PSAT, SAT and TOEFL. The school assists students who take the PSAT in Grade 11, and who intend to take the SAT I, SAT II and TOEFL in Grades 11 and 12. These tests are generally required for those students making application to colleges and universities in the United States.