Admissions

Students will be placed in the appropriate ISB Grade based on the placement chart below. Students applying from schools or educational systems with a different school calendar (such as those commonly found in Korea, Japan, Singapore or Australia and occasionally in Brazil or India) will be placed in the grade they are currently attending if they join ISB at the start of the school year (August).

If they join during the school year, they will be placed in the grade they have just completed in their previous school. All students must graduate from Grade 12 before their 20th birthday.

Placement Chart 2024/25

Junior School | EC 1 – Grade 5
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.

Students in Middle and Senior School must be able to demonstrate a working knowledge of English. 

Testing (for Grade 6 and above): The test is administered online and occasionally is followed up by an online interview with an ISB staff member. Those students at level B1 (Grade 9 and 10) or B2 (Grade 11 or 12) or lower may also have a follow‐up online interview.

Middle School | Grade 6 – 8
Students must be able to demonstrate a working knowledge of English.

Senior School | Grade 9 – 12
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).

ISB offers learning support to students with a range of learning profiles (mild or moderate). 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 behavioural needs, the school will deny admission and provide a reason for the denial of enrolment.

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