Montessori school to open first Iloilo campus

ONE of the Philippines’ leading Montessori institutions, The Abba’s Orchard, will open its first campus in Iloilo inside Sta. Barbara Heights, a 173-hectare township developed by Global-Estate Resorts, Inc. (Geri), a subsidiary of Megaworld. The new campus is scheduled to open in school year 2026–2027.

“Welcoming The Abba’s Orchard to Sta. Barbara Heights reflects our commitment to building communities that go beyond residential living,” said Monica T. Salomon, president of Geri.

The township of Sta. Barbara Heights is integrating a top Montessori institution, enhancing its appeal to families and raising the bar for education in Iloilo and its surrounding areas, according to Salomon.

The campus will span one hectare of tree-covered land at the heart of Sta. Barbara Heights. It will initially offer Casa (ages 3 to 6) and Elementary Level 1 (Grades 1 to 3) programs. Future plans include the Erdkinder level—a signature Montessori curriculum for adolescents that blends academics with real-world, farm-based experiences.

The Abba’s Orchard was founded in 1999 by Chris and Ann Barrameda and has grown into one of the most respected Montessori networks in the country.

Known for its faithful application of Dr. Maria Montessori’s methods, the school emphasizes independence, curiosity, and responsibility. It currently operates 14 campuses nationwide, including the pioneering La Granja Montessori farm school in Bukidnon, the first of its kind in Asia.

“We hope to bring an authentic Montessori school system to Iloilo—one that truly engages the child,” said Joseph Christopher Barrameda, founding director of The Abba’s Orchard.

“In many traditional schools, you don’t always see the joy of learning. But in Montessori environments, we witness children excited to attend class, and as a result, we also see happy parents. This is the kind of meaningful experience we are bringing to Sta. Barbara Heights and the surrounding communities in Iloilo,” Barrameda said.

Sta. Barbara Heights is a master-planned township that will feature a vibrant town center, a proposed business park, and multiple residential villages. It offers direct road access to Iloilo International Airport via Iloilo International Avenue.

The township is also near landmarks such as the historic Sta. Barbara Church and the Iloilo Golf Course and Country Club, combining heritage with modern living. (Leo Solinap/SunStar Philippines)