Quick Answer: Quezon City's best private schools include Ateneo de Manila University as the top-ranked Philippine private university, Miriam College for women's education, and School of the Holy Spirit for affordable Catholic schooling. Tuition ranges from about PHP 40,000 to over PHP 230,000 per year.
Introduction
Quezon City is the largest city in Metro Manila by area and home to some of the Philippines' most respected educational institutions. From the Jesuit excellence of Ateneo de Manila on Katipunan Avenue to the community-focused schools of Cubao and Diliman, QC offers a wide spectrum of private schooling options.
What makes Quezon City special is its concentration of both elite and mid-range private schools within reasonable distance of each other. Families can choose from Jesuit formation, Maryknoll tradition, progressive Montessori, or no-frills secular institutions, all within the same city.
This guide covers the top 14 private schools and universities in Quezon City for 2026. We focused on academic reputation, accreditation, tuition transparency, and what each school does best.
Top Private Schools in Quezon City
1. Ateneo de Manila University
Location: Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights, Quezon City
Tuition Range: PHP 117,000 - PHP 230,000/year
Type: Catholic (Jesuit), Co-ed (K-12 and University)
Ateneo de Manila University is the top-ranked private university in the Philippines, placing 141st in the 2026 QS Asia Rankings. For college, the average tuition for a 20-unit semester is about PHP 117,000 plus fees. Grade 7 tuition starts at PHP 204,310. Ateneo began accepting female students in basic education starting SY 2024-2025 for Kinder, Grade 1, and Grade 7 levels. The Jesuit institution is known for producing leaders in government, business, and the arts.
2. Miriam College
Location: Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights, Quezon City
Tuition Range: PHP 100,000 - PHP 145,000/year
Type: Catholic (Maryknoll), Women-only (K-12 and College)
Miriam College is one of the Philippines' premier women's educational institutions. Founded by the Maryknoll Sisters of New York in 1926, Miriam offers programs from basic education through graduate studies. Grade 1 annual tuition starts at about PHP 145,444. The college is known for its strong environmental science, communication, and international studies programs. Miriam produces graduates who are consistently present in NGO leadership, media, and public service.
3. UP Integrated School (UPIS)
Location: Quirino Avenue, UP Diliman, Quezon City
Tuition Range: PHP 14,000 - PHP 15,000/year
Type: Government (UP System), Co-ed (K-12)
While technically a government school, UP Integrated School deserves inclusion as the laboratory school of the UP College of Education. UPIS maintains just 100 students per grade level, making it extremely selective. Entry is through the Kindergarten Admission Test (KAT) or Grade 7 Admission Test (GAT), with 60 of 100 kindergarten slots reserved for children of UP employees. The academic environment is rigorous and research-oriented.
4. School of the Holy Spirit of Quezon City
Location: Mahinhin Street, UP Village, Diliman, Quezon City
Tuition Range: PHP 80,000 - PHP 111,000/year
Type: Catholic (SSpS), Co-ed (Pre-K to Senior High)
School of the Holy Spirit was established in 1978 by the SSpS Sisters. Grade 11 tuition starts at about PHP 111,311. The school offers a holistic Catholic education from preschool through senior high school, emphasizing community service and spiritual development. Located in the quiet UP Village neighborhood, the school provides a peaceful learning environment close to the university belt.
5. Claret School of Quezon City
Location: Mother Ignacia Avenue, Quezon City
Tuition Range: PHP 70,000 - PHP 99,000/year
Type: Catholic (Claretian), Co-ed (Pre-K to Senior High)
Claret School of Quezon City draws its mission from the ideals of St. Anthony Mary Claret. Grade 7 annual tuition starts at about PHP 98,678. The school runs programs from preschool to senior high school and is known for its disciplined academic environment, strong extracurricular programs, and active alumni community. Claret is a solid mid-range option for families in the central QC area.
6. OB Montessori Center
Location: Multiple branches in Quezon City
Tuition Range: PHP 120,000 - PHP 200,000/year
Type: Non-sectarian, Co-ed (Pre-K to Grade 12)
OB Montessori Center is one of the most well-known progressive schools in Metro Manila. With its mission statement "Man makes himself," OB Montessori offers a viable alternative to international schools at a lower price point. The school uses the Montessori method with a Philippine context, emphasizing self-directed learning, hands-on materials, and respect for each child's developmental pace. It is a strong fit for families who want a progressive, non-traditional approach.
7. Xavier School San Juan
Location: Xavier Street, Greenhills, San Juan (near QC border)
Tuition Range: PHP 150,000 - PHP 200,000+/year
Type: Catholic (Jesuit), All-Boys (K-12)
Xavier School is a prestigious Jesuit school located in Greenhills, San Juan, right at the Quezon City border. Xavier is an all-boys institution known for its bilingual Chinese-English program and strong Jesuit formation. The school has a reputation for academic excellence and consistently strong performance in math and science competitions. Xavier alumni are prominent in the Filipino-Chinese business community.
8. Immaculate Conception Cathedral School
Location: Lantana Street, Cubao, Quezon City
Tuition Range: PHP 40,000 - PHP 65,000/year
Type: Catholic, Co-ed (K-12)
Immaculate Conception Cathedral School offers a Catholic education at one of the more accessible price points in Quezon City. Grade 1 tuition starts at about PHP 39,785. Located in the Cubao area, the school provides a solid basic education foundation with Catholic values formation. It is a practical choice for families who want private Catholic schooling without the premium price tag.
9. New Era University
Location: New Era, Quezon City
Tuition Range: PHP 30,000 - PHP 60,000/year
Type: Iglesia ni Cristo, Co-ed (K-12 and University)
New Era University is the flagship educational institution of the Iglesia ni Cristo. The university is known for its discipline, modern campus facilities, and competitive tuition. New Era offers programs in education, business, engineering, and information technology. The school provides a structured, values-based learning environment at one of the most affordable private school price points in QC.
10. Philippine School of Business Administration (PSBA) QC
Location: Aurora Boulevard, Quezon City
Tuition Range: PHP 35,000 - PHP 60,000/year
Type: Non-sectarian, Co-ed (University)
PSBA specializes in business education and is one of the go-to schools for students pursuing accountancy, business administration, and computer science in the QC area. PSBA keeps tuition affordable while maintaining strong board exam pass rates in accountancy. It is a practical choice for career-oriented students.
11. Siena College of Quezon City
Location: Del Monte Avenue, Quezon City
Tuition Range: PHP 40,000 - PHP 70,000/year
Type: Catholic (Dominican), Co-ed (K-12 and College)
Siena College is run by the Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena. The school offers basic education through college programs and is known for its nursing, education, and hospitality programs. Siena provides a nurturing Catholic environment at a reasonable price point for families in the northern QC area.
12. La Consolacion College Caloocan
Location: Samson Road, Caloocan (near QC border)
Tuition Range: PHP 35,000 - PHP 60,000/year
Type: Catholic (Augustinian), Co-ed (K-12 and College)
La Consolacion College Caloocan is accessible to families in northern Quezon City and Caloocan. Run by the Augustinian Sisters, the school offers programs from basic education through college. La Consolacion is known for its education and business programs and provides a Catholic formation at one of the most accessible price points in the area.
13. Diliman Preparatory School
Location: Dapitan Street, Quezon City
Tuition Range: PHP 50,000 - PHP 90,000/year
Type: Non-sectarian, Co-ed (Pre-K to Grade 12)
Diliman Preparatory School is a well-established private school in the Diliman area of Quezon City. Known for its college preparatory focus, the school provides a structured academic environment that prepares students for university entrance. Diliman Prep has a loyal alumni community and a reputation for solid academics without the premium pricing of the top-tier institutions.
14. APEC Schools Quezon City
Location: Multiple QC locations
Tuition Range: PHP 20,000 - PHP 35,000/year
Type: Non-sectarian, Co-ed (Senior High School)
APEC Schools operates multiple campuses across Quezon City and offers senior high school programs at some of the lowest private school tuition rates in the metro. APEC uses a technology-enhanced learning model and focuses on making quality education accessible to more Filipino families. It is a budget-friendly option for senior high school students.
Comparison Table
| School | Tuition Range (Annual) | Type | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ateneo de Manila University | PHP 117K - 230K | Catholic (Jesuit), Co-ed | Top PH private university, Ignatian |
| Miriam College | PHP 100K - 145K | Catholic (Maryknoll), Women | Environmental science, women's ed |
| UP Integrated School | PHP 14K - 15K | Government (UP), Co-ed | Highly selective, research-oriented |
| School of the Holy Spirit QC | PHP 80K - 111K | Catholic (SSpS), Co-ed | Holistic formation, peaceful campus |
| Claret School QC | PHP 70K - 99K | Catholic (Claretian), Co-ed | Disciplined, strong extracurriculars |
| OB Montessori Center | PHP 120K - 200K | Non-sectarian, Co-ed | Progressive Montessori, self-directed |
| Xavier School | PHP 150K - 200K+ | Catholic (Jesuit), Boys | Chinese-English bilingual, Jesuit |
| ICCS | PHP 40K - 65K | Catholic, Co-ed | Affordable Catholic schooling |
| New Era University | PHP 30K - 60K | Iglesia ni Cristo, Co-ed | Disciplined, modern campus |
| PSBA QC | PHP 35K - 60K | Non-sectarian, Co-ed | Business, accountancy |
| Siena College QC | PHP 40K - 70K | Catholic (Dominican), Co-ed | Nursing, education |
| La Consolacion Caloocan | PHP 35K - 60K | Catholic (Augustinian), Co-ed | Accessible, Catholic formation |
| Diliman Preparatory School | PHP 50K - 90K | Non-sectarian, Co-ed | College prep, solid academics |
| APEC Schools QC | PHP 20K - 35K | Non-sectarian, Co-ed | Tech-enhanced, most affordable |
How to Choose the Right Private School in Quezon City
Quezon City is large, and school location matters more here than in smaller cities. Here's what to think about:
Geography: QC stretches from Novaliches in the north to Cubao in the south and Diliman in the west. The Katipunan corridor (Ateneo, Miriam, UP) is excellent but congested. Central QC (Claret, Holy Spirit) offers a quieter commute. Northern QC (Siena, New Era) is more affordable.
Academic Level: For university, Ateneo is the clear frontrunner. For basic education (K-12), the choice depends on your preferred style: Jesuit (Ateneo, Xavier), Montessori (OB Montessori), Catholic traditional (Claret, Holy Spirit), or progressive secular (Diliman Prep).
Budget: QC has options at every price point. Ateneo at PHP 200K+ is the premium tier. Miriam, Xavier, and OB Montessori sit in the upper-middle range (PHP 100K-200K). Claret, Holy Spirit, and Diliman Prep are mid-range (PHP 70K-110K). New Era, PSBA, and APEC are the most budget-friendly (PHP 20K-60K).
Gender: Ateneo's basic education is now co-ed as of 2024. Xavier remains all-boys. Miriam remains all-girls. Most other QC schools are co-educational.
Special Programs: If your child excels in math/science, look at Ateneo and Xavier. For environmental science and social impact, Miriam stands out. For self-directed learners, OB Montessori is worth a visit.
Schedule school visits during open house season, typically November through February, to see the campus culture firsthand.
FAQs
What is the best private school in Quezon City? Ateneo de Manila University is the top-ranked private school in QC based on national and international rankings. However, for basic education, the "best" depends on your child's needs and your family's values.
How much does Ateneo de Manila cost? College tuition averages about PHP 117,000 per 20-unit semester plus fees. Grade 7 tuition starts at about PHP 204,310 per year. Junior high school can cost upwards of PHP 230,000 per year.
Is Miriam College only for girls? Yes. Miriam College remains an exclusive women's institution from basic education through graduate school. It was founded by the Maryknoll Sisters in 1926.
Can boys now attend Ateneo de Manila Grade School? As of SY 2024-2025, Ateneo de Manila began co-educational admission for Kinder, Grade 1, and Grade 7 levels. The school is transitioning to full co-education over the coming years.
What are the cheapest private schools in Quezon City? APEC Schools (PHP 20K-35K/year), New Era University (PHP 30K-60K/year), and PSBA (PHP 35K-60K/year) are among the most affordable private school options in QC.
Is UP Integrated School a private school? No, UPIS is a government school under the UP system. However, it operates with a selectivity and academic rigor comparable to top private schools. Admission is through competitive entrance exams with only 100 slots per grade level.
Which QC schools offer the IB programme? Most QC schools follow the Philippine DepEd curriculum. For IB programmes, families typically look to international schools in Taguig or Paranaque. Ateneo follows the DepEd curriculum enhanced with Jesuit pedagogy.
When should I apply to Ateneo or Miriam? Both schools typically open applications in September-October for the following school year. The entrance exams are usually held between November and January. Apply early, as slots are limited.
Exploring schools in the largest city in Metro Manila? Browse all schools in Quezon City on SchoolFinderPH to find the best match for your family.