Admissions Decisions
(American)
Documents Submitted in Stage 1: Application
As part of our assessment process, we have requested that you provide any results from standardized achievement tests that your child may have taken. We would like to receive scores in Reading, Mathematics and/or English, such as ITBS, CAT, Stanford 9 or 10, ISA, ERB, MAP or US-based state or regional annual exams.
In addition, you and your child may have submitted a questionnaire regarding details of school history, interests in the school program and so forth. Besides those submissions, the school’s admissions committee may request more information in order to make an informed decision about your child’s match with its school program.
Stage 2: School Assessments and Interviews During the Admissions Process
Entrance Exams: All students seeking entry may be tested. Entrance/placement tests are scheduled after a review of the application file by the school admissions team. To provide a more complete record for the admissions committee at each school, a school staff member may contact you for testing. The testing has several components, which may include the following:
- Standardized assessment
- Writing samples
- English language skills and mathematics assessment
- Student and/or parent interviews
- Observation of student in a classroom
Interviews: Students may be invited to meet with a school guidance counselor, principal and/or head.
Other Assessments May Be Required such as:
English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) and Learning Support (LS) Students: ISG believes that in order to consolidate the strength and rigor of the mainstream educational program, there must be an appropriate balance in enrollment between regular admissions and those students who are actively receiving support in English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) or from Learning Support (LS). The combined number of students at ISG per grade receiving active support from specialists, such as ESL and/or LS, is consistent with the majority of international schools across the world, and represents a small number.
Second language learners who, according to the assessments, appear to have needs outside the regular program may be interviewed and/or tested to determine the level of language support required to ensure the student is successful in the mainstream classroom.
Learning support candidates are accepted into ISG if it is determined that their educational needs can be accommodated within the current program. ISG accepts a limited number of students with mild-to-moderate learning disabilities whom we believe will be able to succeed, with appropriate support, in a mainstream classroom in the context of a college preparatory program. Each student is considered on an individual basis. The decision to admit a student with special needs is made by the school admissions committee and school principal.
Any student who is applying for admission and has needs in one or more of the following areas will receive special consideration by the school administration. ISG reserves the right to deny any applications in which students appear to have needs that cannot be met by the current program.
These may include, but may not be limited to:
- Visual and auditory impairments requiring specialized instruction and equipment
- Mobility impairments requiring specialized equipment
- Augmentative communication impairments
- Intellectual or cognitive impairments
- Serious behavior disorders and/or emotional difficulties
- Mental health issues
Grade Level for Your Child: Students are placed in their age-appropriate class, unless exceptional circumstances exist. Initial placements may change in the effort to match your child’s current learning and development level with each school’s program. Grade levels are assigned according to the date of your child’s birthday, as outlined below.
| Grade | Age | By Date |
|---|---|---|
| Reception (Dammam, Jubail) | Must be at least 3 years of age | Before Sept 1 |
| Preschool program (KG1) | Must be at least 4 years of age | Before Sept 1 |
| Kindergarten (KG2) | Must be at least 5 years of age | Before Sept 1 |
| Grade 1 | Must be at least 6 years of age | Before Sept 1 |
Admissions Decision and Notification: The admissions office at each school will convey the admissions decision to the parents as soon as possible, at the latest by April 30. The decision may include one of the following:
- Accepted, pending final paperwork
- Provisionally accepted (accepted but with conditions that will be stated)
- Denied
- Need more information
- Wait list
Wait List: In some schools and grade levels, successful applicants (accepted or provisionally accepted) cannot be immediately enrolled due to limited space. In these cases, students will be added to a wait list, with the following priority rank:
- Children of ISG staff and sponsored Americans of the U.S. Consulate (if applicable)*
- Sibling at school: a sibling of current students is given priority
- Siblings (new) currently in the admissions process: an applicant for a full class who has siblings applying to classes where there are openings will get preference
- Gender of current class: the school attempts to achieve gender balance, when possible
- Demographics of current class: the school attempts to achieve a diverse class, when possible
*Guaranteed a seat, or given priority, if the applicant meets the entrance requirements.
If a seat becomes available, a school will make admissions decisions based on the above criteria.
Admissions decision: ISG strives to obtain a balance in gender, diversity in nationalities and predictable academic success for the candidate within the programs offered; when a space becomes available, the school determines which candidate best complements the class. If and when a space is available in a class or program, the parents will be advised immediately and asked to confirm that they still wish their child to enter ISG.
It is the school’s prerogative to accept or reject any application. Once a place is offered, the student must be enrolled at that time and the necessary fees paid in order to hold the place for immediate or later entry. Seats will not be held beyond the deadlines set for returning paperwork and paying requested fees.
Probationary: The acceptance of ALL new students is probationary, to be reviewed at the end of the school year in which the student enters. Students for whom continued enrollment at ISG is not predicted to be successful for either themselves and/or the school may be exited, without re-enrollment for the following year, at the discretion of the principal/administrative team. The school may also refuse the re-enrollment of a student if the student’s parent or guardian does not respect the rules and values of the school.
