Admission FAQs

We accept applications throughout the year; there is no deadline to submit an application. Once you know you are moving to Basel, we strongly suggest that applications be submitted. Our classes do fill up and it is best to avoid a waiting list situation.

In Junior School

• Early Childhood 1 – 3: up to 16 students

• Grade 1 – 2: up to 20 students

• Grade 3 – 5: up to 22 students

In Middle & Senior School

• Grade 6 – 12: up to 24 students

German is taught as a second language. German lessons are compulsory for all students from Early Childhood. The frequency of the lessons depends on the grade level. For more information, please visit the appropriate school section under Learn.

The After School Programme for Inspiration, Recreation and Enrichment (ASPIRE) provided by International School Basel supports young students and their parents after the school day has ended and during extended school holidays.

Learn more about ASPIRE

The International Baccalaureate does not mandate how or when schools report on student learning, but requires them to ensure students:

• understand what is expected;

• know how they progress in their learning and what they need to do to improve.

The key principles that drive assessment practices in our school are described in ISB Assessment Beliefs.

Parent Teacher Student (PTS) conferences are organised during the academic year. Reports are sent to families twice a year. Two platforms provide parents with information about the tasks their child undertakes in class and overall performance:

EC1 – Grade 6: Seesaw
Grade 6 – 12: Veracross Gradebook

ISB provides a nurturing and welcoming environment for students who have no prior or little knowledge of English. Students who enter the English as an Additional Language (EAL) support programme can access three learning stages: 

1. Emerging
2. Developing
3. Consolidating

English competency is evaluated at the admission stage and thereafter, to inform their appropriate placement and subsequent support. There are different expectations based on the programme/school section to which they are applying.

English as an Additional Language

Applications for admission need must be completed in English; any documents that are not written in English need to be officially translated. When applying, please attach the original documents to the translations.

Applications are considered in view of the following factors:

• Completion of all application forms; 
• Outcomes of additional assessment, if appropriate;
• Availability of space in classes and option groups offered;
• Level of English/Learning Support needs;
• Availability of places for siblings;
• Appropriateness of programmes;
• Discretion of the Director and the appropriate Principal.

The processing of the application takes 1 to 2 weeks. Our Head of Admissions will contact you, via email, to confirm receipt of your application once we receive all the required documentation.

Students are not required to take a formal entrance exam. However in certain cases, depending on the information received from the application documentation or gathered during the interview, further assessment may be necessary, and may include:

• English as an Additional Language (EAL);
• English;
• Mathematics;
• Learning Support.

As part of the admissions process, applicants may also be required to spend time in the appropriate school section to undergo assessment.  This will be scheduled as part of the school visit if it is known prior to the visit that additional testing is necessary.

In Senior School, students will ordinarily be interviewed by the Senior School Principal as part of the admissions process. Students may need to complete assessment tests to determine their general standard of English, general subject knowledge and background to determine whether they are suited for specific programmes in Senior School.

While we encourage all students to start the new school year in August, we accept students throughout the academic year, providing there is space in the relevant grade.

ISB does not provide financial assistance. However, we do offer several payment options for private payers. Please read the ISB Financial Regulations for more details.

No, but we do require a copy of your child’s vaccination record and the ISB health forms to be completed during the application process.

You are welcome to contact the Head of Admissions to arrange for a school tour or visit. In addition, at the beginning of every school year, there is a New Family Event Day for new families and students where you can familiarise yourselves with the buildings and teachers.

Students are placed in the year level according to their birth year following the entrance placement table below.

Your will receive login credentials for the school website portals with the acceptance letter from Admissions.

We have approximately 1,380 students at our three campuses.

This varies greatly but the average span is about four years. We have a growing number of families who are making Basel their home; this offers a great deal of stability to the student population.

Although students at ISB are not required to wear a school uniform, there is a student dress code. Students are expected to dress appropriately on campus and at all school activities. This means that a student’s appearance should be:

• Suitable for a workplace;
• Conducive to learning;
• Not distracting to others.

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

If the school is unable to coordinate the necessary resources to meet a student’s intensive academic, cognitive, physical, emotional and/or behavioral needs, the application will not be accepted.

Learn about student Support

The purpose of Home Learning is to allow students to acquire routines at an appropriate level for their age and stage. As students grow and develop, they become independent and a gradual release of responsibility takes place; our teachers work with parents to support this. 

The Home Learning and Practice programme focuses on a partnership between school and home aimed at supporting students' continued development. Teachers, parents and students work in partnership to plan, support and complete home learning and practice tasks.