Your application will be considered in view of the following:
- Completion of all application forms. Please note that all documents needs to be in English or be officially translated into English (submit both the original documentation and official translation)
- Outcomes of additional assessment, if appropriate
- Level of English/Student Support needs
- Availability of space in classes and option groups offered
- Availability of places for siblings
- Discretion of the Director and the appropriate Principal
GRADE LEVEL PLACEMENT
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 (like 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
Level of English
Junior School
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: ISB uses the Oxford Online Placement Test (OOPT) as part of our Admissions process for Grade 6 and above. The test is administered by 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.
Middle School
Students in Grade 6-8) must be able to demonstrate a working knowledge of English.
Senior School
Students in Grade 9-12 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 |
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
