Quick Answer: Makati's best private schools include The Beacon School for IB education, Assumption College San Lorenzo for women's Catholic formation, and Colegio de San Agustin Makati for co-ed Catholic schooling. Tuition ranges from about PHP 50,000 to over PHP 800,000 per year.
Introduction
Makati is the financial center of the Philippines, and its school landscape reflects that status. The city hosts some of the most exclusive and progressive private schools in the country, alongside respected Catholic institutions and accessible mid-range options.
What makes Makati distinctive is the concentration of premium schools within a compact area. You'll find IB World Schools, historic Catholic academies, and PAREF formation schools all within a few kilometers of each other. The proximity to the Makati Central Business District also means many families choose schools based on their work commute.
This guide covers the top 12 private schools in Makati for 2026, from the most elite to the most practical.
Top Private Schools in Makati
1. The Beacon School
Location: Chino Roces Avenue Extension, Magallanes, Makati
Tuition Range: PHP 500,000 - PHP 850,000/year
Type: Non-sectarian, Co-ed (Pre-K to Grade 12)
The Beacon School is one of the most exclusive and expensive schools in the Philippines. Founded in 2001, Beacon is authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization to offer the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and the Middle Years Programme (MYP). The school follows a personalized learning approach with small class sizes, making it ideal for families who want an international-quality education with a progressive philosophy. Beacon graduates are well-prepared for top universities worldwide.
2. Assumption College San Lorenzo
Location: San Lorenzo Village, Makati
Tuition Range: PHP 80,000 - PHP 150,000/year
Type: Catholic, Women-only (Pre-K to College)
Assumption College San Lorenzo is a private Catholic institution exclusively for girls, established in 1958 by the Religious of the Assumption. Located in the upscale San Lorenzo Village, Assumption offers education from pre-school through college. The school is known for producing confident, service-oriented women. Assumption is PAASCU-accredited and has a strong alumni network in business, law, and public service.
3. Colegio de San Agustin Makati (CSA)
Location: Paseo de Roxas / Pasong Tamo, Makati
Tuition Range: PHP 100,000 - PHP 180,000/year
Type: Catholic (Augustinian), Co-ed (K-12)
Colegio de San Agustin Makati was founded in 1969 and is operated by the Order of Saint Augustine. CSA Makati is one of Metro Manila's most reputable co-educational Catholic schools, offering programs from kindergarten through senior high school. The school has strong programs across academics, athletics, and the arts. CSA provides a balanced Catholic education at a mid-to-premium price point, making it accessible to a wide range of Makati families.
4. PAREF Woodrose School
Location: Alabang-Zapote Road (near Makati)
Tuition Range: PHP 150,000 - PHP 220,000/year
Type: Non-sectarian, All-Girls (Grade 1-12)
PAREF Woodrose is the sister school of Southridge and is part of the PAREF school network. Woodrose is an exclusive all-girls school that focuses on balancing intellectual, moral, social, spiritual, and physical development. The estimated annual cost is PHP 200,000+. Woodrose is known for its personal mentoring system and close parent-school collaboration. The school produces well-rounded women with strong moral foundations.
5. PAREF Southridge School
Location: Km. 23 Alabang-Zapote Road, Muntinlupa (near Makati border)
Tuition Range: PHP 150,000 - PHP 220,000/year
Type: Non-sectarian, All-Boys (Grade 1-12)
PAREF Southridge is the boys' counterpart to Woodrose. Established by Parents For Education Foundation Inc., Southridge is known for its rigorous math and English programs as well as its active sports program. The school follows the PAREF formation model of personal mentoring, where each student is assigned a tutor who guides their academic and personal development throughout their school years.
6. St. Paul College of Makati
Location: Makati City
Tuition Range: PHP 60,000 - PHP 100,000/year
Type: Catholic (SPC), Co-ed (Pre-K to Senior High)
St. Paul College of Makati is managed by the Sisters of Saint Paul of Chartres and was founded in 1942 as the Makati Catholic School. SPCM offers programs from preschool through senior high school with STEM, ABM, HUMSS, and GAS strands. The school is PAASCU-accredited and provides a solid Catholic education at a moderate price point. St. Paul is a practical choice for families who want Catholic schooling without the premium pricing.
7. Immaculate Conception Academy (ICA)
Location: Greenfield District / Makati area
Tuition Range: PHP 80,000 - PHP 130,000/year
Type: Catholic, Women-only (K-12)
Immaculate Conception Academy is a Catholic girls' school facilitated by the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (MIC). ICA is known for its strong academic program and emphasis on Marian values. The school has produced generations of accomplished Filipinas and maintains high academic standards. ICA provides a focused women's education environment with a strong community spirit.
8. San Beda College Alabang
Location: Alabang (near Makati)
Tuition Range: PHP 60,000 - PHP 100,000/year
Type: Catholic (Benedictine), Co-ed (K-12 and College)
San Beda College Alabang is an affiliate of San Beda University, run by the Benedictine monks. Located in Cupang, Muntinlupa, just south of Makati, San Beda Alabang offers programs from basic education through college. The school carries the Benedictine tradition of academic discipline and moral formation. While autonomous from the Manila campus, San Beda Alabang maintains the same educational standards and values.
9. Makati Science High School
Location: JP Rizal Extension, Makati
Tuition Range: Free (government-funded)
Type: Government, Co-ed (Junior and Senior High)
While a public school, Makati Science High School is worth mentioning because it is one of the best science high schools in Metro Manila. Admission is through a competitive entrance exam. MSHS provides a STEM-focused education at no tuition cost, funded by the Makati LGU. For academically gifted students, MSHS rivals any private school in the city.
10. Stonyhurst Southville International School
Location: Chino Roces Avenue, Makati
Tuition Range: PHP 200,000 - PHP 400,000/year
Type: Non-sectarian, Co-ed (Pre-K to Grade 12)
Stonyhurst Southville is affiliated with the 400-year-old Stonyhurst College in England. The school offers both Philippine DepEd curriculum and British-influenced programs. Stonyhurst Southville bridges the gap between a full international school and a local premium school, offering international exposure at a lower price point than pure international institutions. The school is known for its global network of Stonyhurst alumni.
11. Hope Christian High School
Location: Chino Roces Avenue, Makati
Tuition Range: PHP 60,000 - PHP 100,000/year
Type: Christian (Non-denominational), Co-ed (K-12)
Hope Christian High School is one of the few Protestant-affiliated schools in Makati. The school offers a Christ-centered education from kindergarten through senior high school. Hope Christian is known for its strong English program, active campus life, and community service orientation. It provides an alternative for Christian families who prefer a non-Catholic religious school.
12. Mapua Makati Campus
Location: Gil Puyat Avenue / HV dela Costa, Makati
Tuition Range: PHP 60,000 - PHP 120,000/year
Type: Non-sectarian, Co-ed (Senior High and University)
Mapua Makati is the Makati campus of Mapua University, offering senior high school and undergraduate programs. The Makati campus focuses on media studies, computer technology, and business programs. It provides the same ABET-accredited engineering standards as the Intramuros campus in a Makati location. This is a practical choice for families in the south who want Mapua's engineering reputation without the Manila commute.
Comparison Table
| School | Tuition Range (Annual) | Type | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Beacon School | PHP 500K - 850K | Non-sectarian, Co-ed | IB programme, personalized learning |
| Assumption College SL | PHP 80K - 150K | Catholic, Women | Women's formation, strong alumni |
| Colegio de San Agustin | PHP 100K - 180K | Catholic (Augustinian), Co-ed | Balanced education, co-ed |
| PAREF Woodrose | PHP 150K - 220K | Non-sectarian, Girls | Personal mentoring, character |
| PAREF Southridge | PHP 150K - 220K | Non-sectarian, Boys | Math/English, sports, mentoring |
| St. Paul College Makati | PHP 60K - 100K | Catholic (SPC), Co-ed | PAASCU-accredited, moderate tuition |
| ICA | PHP 80K - 130K | Catholic, Women | Marian values, strong academics |
| San Beda Alabang | PHP 60K - 100K | Catholic (Benedictine), Co-ed | Benedictine tradition, accessible |
| Makati Science HS | Free | Government, Co-ed | STEM-focused, competitive admission |
| Stonyhurst Southville | PHP 200K - 400K | Non-sectarian, Co-ed | British heritage, global network |
| Hope Christian HS | PHP 60K - 100K | Christian, Co-ed | Protestant option, strong English |
| Mapua Makati | PHP 60K - 120K | Non-sectarian, Co-ed | Engineering, tech, ABET-accredited |
How to Choose the Right Private School in Makati
Makati is compact, but the range of school options is wide. Here's how to think through your decision:
Premium vs. Practical: If budget is flexible and you want the most progressive, internationally recognized education, The Beacon School is the standout. For premium Catholic formation, PAREF Woodrose (girls) and PAREF Southridge (boys) are excellent. For practical mid-range options, St. Paul College and San Beda Alabang deliver solid education at moderate cost.
Religious Values: Makati has strong Catholic options (Assumption, CSA, ICA, San Beda, St. Paul), a Protestant option (Hope Christian), and secular/non-sectarian choices (Beacon, PAREF, Stonyhurst, Mapua). Choose based on what aligns with your family's values.
Gender: Assumption and ICA are women-only. PAREF Woodrose is all-girls. PAREF Southridge is all-boys. Most other schools are co-educational. Single-gender schools in Makati tend to emphasize character formation and mentoring.
Career Path: For STEM and engineering, Mapua Makati provides the strongest pipeline. For business and entrepreneurship, CSA and the PAREF schools have strong alumni networks. For creative and progressive education, Beacon is the leader.
Commute: Makati traffic is among the worst in Metro Manila. Choose a school that your child can reach within 30 minutes to avoid burnout. Schools along Chino Roces (Beacon, Stonyhurst, Hope) are accessible from the south. CSA and Assumption are central.
FAQs
What is the most expensive school in Makati? The Beacon School is the most expensive, with tuition exceeding PHP 800,000 per year. It is one of the top 10 most expensive schools in the entire Philippines.
Is Assumption College San Lorenzo co-ed? No. Assumption College San Lorenzo remains exclusively for women, from pre-school through college. It was founded by the Religious of the Assumption in 1958.
What is PAREF? PAREF stands for Parents for Education Foundation. It operates 17 schools nationwide with a philosophy centered on personal mentoring, character formation, and close parent-school collaboration. PAREF schools are non-sectarian but grounded in Christian values.
Are there affordable private schools in Makati? Yes. St. Paul College of Makati (PHP 60K-100K), San Beda Alabang (PHP 60K-100K), and Hope Christian High School (PHP 60K-100K) offer quality private education at moderate price points.
Is Makati Science High School hard to get into? Very. Makati Science High School is a government-funded STEM school that admits students through a competitive entrance exam. It is free of tuition but highly selective.
Does The Beacon School offer the full IB Diploma? Beacon is authorized for the IB Primary Years Programme and Middle Years Programme. It follows DepEd standards alongside IB methodology. For the full IB Diploma Programme (Grades 11-12), students typically transfer to other IB schools.
Which Makati school has the best sports program? Colegio de San Agustin Makati and the PAREF schools (Southridge, Woodrose) are known for strong sports programs. CSA competes in inter-school athletics, while Southridge emphasizes sports as part of its holistic formation.
Finding a school in the Philippines' business capital? Browse all schools in Makati on SchoolFinderPH to compare tuition, programs, and campus details.