Primary and Secondary Education in Philippines
Currently a 11-year system of general education is in effect, with children starting school at age 6.
- Elementary School is 7 years (ages 6-13) Grades 1-7
- High School is 4 years (ages 13-17) Grades 8-11
Academic year begins in September and ends in May. Education is conducted in English and Filipino or Pilipino.
The Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) is responsible for implementing education policy and regulations. Public schools offered grade 11 in 2016 and Grade 12 in 2017. Private high school schools, private and public universities and colleges, technical-vocational schools and Philippine schools overseas were approved to offer the new Senior High School Program as of August 15, 2017.
Only two agencies, Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities (PAASCU) and Association of Christian Schools and Colleges Accrediting Agency, Inc. (ACSC-AAI), accredit high schools and elementary schools in addition to collegiate programs.
Grade conversion scale for Philippines:
Grade Scale |
Grade Description |
U.S. Grade Equivalence |
A (97-100)/1.00 |
Excellent |
A |
A- (94-96)/1.50 |
Very Good |
A |
B+ (91-93)/1.75 |
Good |
A- |
B (88-90)/2.00 |
Above Average |
B+ |
B- (85-87)/2.25 |
Average |
B- |
C+ (80-84)/2.50 |
Below Average |
C |
C or D* (75-79)/3.00 or 3.50 |
Barely Pass |
D |
D* or F (0-74)/4.00 or 5.00 |
Fail |
F |
* A grade of D may be accepted as a pass in some some schools..
Credentials:
- High School Diploma and transcript
