MANILA, Philippines - Starting as a preschool for 12 children on a porch in Parañaque City, the Eleanor Esteban Learning Center was founded by Eleanor Esteban in 1964 as one of the first preschools in the Philippines. Eleanor was a teacher with the American School (presently International School Manila), who started the school to become the first teacher of her children. More than 40 years later, after successively offering preschool to higher levels of education, Esteban School is once again celebrating a significant milestone: its launch as the Australian International School (Australian IS).
Accredited by the Curriculum Council of Western Australia as a school that offers the best of international education in the Philippines, Australian IS enters a new chapter as the first and only international school that provides its students the opportunity to graduate with an Australian High School diploma, thus giving them the clear advantage in applying at any university around the world.
“What has been accepted is no longer at par with international standards in education,” says David Esteban, the school’s director for marketing and communications. “In this day of rapid advances in learning and technology, Filipinos need to be global in our approach, which is why studying at Australian IS will give our students the advantage of being educated using the best techniques and practices used around the world.”
Despite the upgraded status, David points out that Australian IS will remain faithful to the Esteban School’s philosophy in being student-centered, to help every child achieve his/her full potential. “We are keeping things the same in many ways. Our philosophy will continue to be based on my mother’s saying: ‘Like a seed, within each child lies the promise of a fruitful tomorrow’.”
This core vision is also observed around a safe and nurturing environment set inside a school that feels like a second home, making it an ideal environment for learning.
Australian International School is located at 2332 Chino Roces Extension, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. For inquiries, call 844-9915, 844-9913; SMS: 0917-8464168; e-mail: contact@estebanschool.org or visit www.aismanila.org.