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Applications for admission are considered in view of the following points:

• Completion of all application documents. All documentation needs to be in English. Any documentation not written in English will require an official translation (original documentation should be attached to the translation)
• Outcomes of additional assessment, if appropriate
• Availability of space in classes and option groups offered
• Level of English/Student Support needs
• Availability of places for siblings
• Appropriateness of programmes
• Discretion of the Director and the appropriate Principal

GRADE LEVEL PLACEMENT

ISB believes that it is important for children to be placed in classes with their age peers, especially at Early Childhood (ages 3 to 5) and in the early levels of the Junior School.

Students who apply from schools or educational systems with a different school calendar (like those commonly found in schools in Korea, Japan, Singapore or Australia and occasionally in Brazil or India) will be placed in the grade that they are currently attending if they are admitted at the start of the new school year. If they are accepted as a Mid-Year student, they will be placed in the grade that they have just completed in their previous school.

All students must graduate from Grade 12 before their 20th birthday.

Level of English

Up until Grade 2, new students are not required to have prior knowledge of English. New students entering Grade 3 - 5 are recommended to have prior skills in English.

Middle School students must be able to demonstrate a working knowledge of English. Senior School students must offer evidence of English proficiency, spoken and written. At certain Year Levels, it may be possible to offer a restricted curriculum to students who are undergoing an intensive programme of support outside of ISB in order to enhance their acquisition of English. As the level of competence in English improves, a full curriculum will be offered accordingly.

Minimum English proficiency requirements for students joining Senior School
ISB uses the Common European Framework Reference (CEFR).

Grade of Entry on Joining	Minimum Requirement	IB Diploma Programme Requirement
Grade 9	A2	B1
Grade 10	A2	B2
Grade 11	B1	B2
Grade 12	B1/B2*	*Only students already successfully participating in IBDP programme

Testing: ISB uses the Oxford Online Placement Test (OOPT) as part of our Admissions process for Grade 6 and above. The test is administeredby the ISB Admissions Team on campus, sent to the applicants’ current school to be administered, or in rare circumstances administered by parents. Those students at level B1 (Grade 9 and 10) or B2 (Grade 11 or 12) or lower may also have a follow‐up EAL screening.

Student Support Services

ISB offers learning support to students with a range of learning profiles (mild, moderate, intensive). When prior evaluations and documentation indicate a learning disability or learning challenge in the school setting, the Admissions Team will review the student’s complete file to determine the appropriate placement, programme, and resources needed to meet the student’s individual needs.

In exceptional circumstances, a student may be admitted on a conditional enrolment and the school may require parental agreement for provision of additional supports and services. Any additional costs incurred are the responsibility of the parents. 

Where the school is unable to coordinate the necessary resources to meet a student’s intensive academic, cognitive, physical, emotional and/or behavioral needs, the school will deny admission and provide a reason for the denial of enrolment.

Learn more about Student Support services

New families to ISB should begin the application process by visiting our Admissions Portal. Please click on the link below to submit your application.

Admission Portal

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1. Admission to the school will be determined by the Director, with the advice of the academic staff, based on information obtained with respect to:

a) the potential of the applicant to benefit from the educational programme available;
b) the capacity of the school to meet the educational needs of the student;
c) the availability of places.

2. Initial year level placement is determined on the basis of age. The decision of the school in year level placement will be communicated to parents prior to acceptance and is considered final. Decisions with respect to:

a) promotion from one year level to another
b) retention in a particular year level
c) continued enrolment at ISB will be based on academic, personal, behavioural and social/emotional aspects of a student's school record.

3. ISB reserves the right to deny admission or to dis-enrol a student if:

a) the student's best interests and needs cannot be met effectively by the school's programmes and services;
b) the student's behaviour is deemed to jeopardize the welfare of the school community;
c) educationally significant information is withheld from the school; or
d) school fees are not paid in accordance with ISB Financial Regulations or a previous school reports a default in payment.

A decision to withdraw a student from the school would follow consultation with the parents/guardians and a thorough review of the educational interventions that have been attempted and documented.

4. Admission may be postponed if a year level is full. In this case, the applicant is placed on a waiting list. Qualified applicants are then accepted in order of the date of application, subject to the above conditions.