Life in Davao FAQs

Davao is a city of contrasts and provides a diverse cultural experience! Located on the island of Mindanao, the city is located between stunning tropical beaches and rugged mountains, offering outdoor activities of all kinds. Within the city, you’ll find modern shopping malls alongside local outdoor markets. Davao offers many western conveniences but has preserved its cultural heritage thanks to several tribal regions in the area. There are several local dialects spoken, but English is widely spoken and understood. Below is a list of frequently asked questions that will give you a taste of what life in Davao is like.

When should I apply?

FIA uses a semester system with the first semester running from August - December and the second semester from January - May. The best time for a student to arrive is at the beginning of the school year in August. If a family has just moved to Davao then we will consider an appropriate start date during the year - typically at the start of the quarter or semester. Mid-semester enrollment is rare for Category II and III families.
We are not a Christian family. Can my child still attend FIA?

Yes. We expect all of our families to support school policies, but we do not require all parents to sign the statement of faith. All students (part-time and full-time) are enrolled in Bible and participate in weekly chapels. Priority in admissions decisions is given to Category I (missionary) families in alignment with FIA’s purpose.
Does FIA have a boarding program?

No, FIA does not provide boarding. FIA students are expected to live with their parents in Davao. HOME LIFE POLICY – taken from the Student-Parent Handbook (Temporary Absence of Parents) FIA expects its students to live with their parents while enrolled at the school. FIA does not provide a boarding program. If a FIA student is in Davao without parents for 30 days or less, then a temporary guardianship form must be submitted to the school and approved by the administration. This form is available in the Academic Office. For guardianship longer than 30 days, a face-to-face meeting of the parents and administration is required. Requests for guardianship for students in grades 6-12 may be refused and permission for living with a guardian may be rescinded if the school determines that the living situation is not in the best interest of the student or the school. FIA defines a guardian as an adult over the age of 25 who lives in the home on a daily basis providing ongoing support and care for the physical, emotional, and academic needs of the student. The guardian is responsible to serve as the liaison between the school, the student, and the student’s parents. The school must be aware of the living situation of its students; a student’s enrollment can, and in most cases will, be revoked if the school finds that he/she is not living with parents without school administration approval.
How is my child’s grade level determined?

Grade placement is determined based on age, school and standardized test records, results of English language proficiency and placement testing, and which grade level your child just completed. Many educational systems use numbers for identifying grade levels; however, these numbers do not always match up and may be confusing for parents. For example, a student transferring from a British school should subtract one year from the British number to find the equivalent grade in the American system used at FIA (i.e., year 4 in a British school would be equivalent to grade 3 at FIA).
What if my child’s English isn’t very strong?

Since English is the language of instruction at FIA, a certain level of English proficiency is required to be successful and able to learn at FIA. Applicants whose first language is not English are asked to take an English language proficiency assessment. The test results are reviewed along with your child’s application. At this time, FIA is not able to provide a separate English program for those still learning the language.
What are the maximum number of students allowed in a class?

K-5: 20 6-12: 25 See the class size guidelines for more details
What is school like at FIA?

Please see the Student Life and Life in Davao FAQs pages for more information.