Admission Policy

Purpose

This Admissions Policy is established so that it is consistent with the mission of the school and responsive to the needs of the community, within the framework of educational effectiveness and available resources.

Prior to being considered for admission, students must submit a complete application including the application fee and all documents as outlined in the How To Apply section. Incomplete applications cannot be processed and will be discarded after 30 days.

Decisions are based on a careful examination of each student's ability to achieve success in an atmosphere of high expectations and within the context of an English language-learning environment. In making this assessment, SIS will evaluate each candidate's English language proficiency, demonstrated academic achievement and developmental and social/behavioral history. This may include an interview. Parents should note that current class size/space availability, English as an Additional Language (EAL) guidelines, and parents' priority status also affect admission recommendations. Besides priority status, admissions decisions may also take into account the short and long term balance of English language learners and other relevant demographic factors in the school in order to sustain and support the school's mission and programs.

First Priority: Founding Members

First Priority includes any child who carries a foreign passport with at least one parent having a foreign passport and whose parent works for BP, Phillips China or CACT.

Second Priority: Subcontractors

Second Priority includes any child who carries a foreign passport with at least one parent having a foreign passport and:

Whose parent works for a subcontractor to a founding member or works for other oil operators. Is sponsored by a company with 20 or more students enrolled at SIS. Is a sibling of a currently enrolled student. Who lives in Jing Shan Villas and has a valid 1 year lease contract from the enrollment date.

Third Priority: Other

Third Priority includes any expatriate child who meets the age criteria and who carries a foreign passport and has at least one parent who carries a foreign passport.

Provisions

Special Criteria for Admission to the EAL Program

The school has additional admissions criteria and procedures for English Language Learners in Grades 1 - 12. These requirements are meant to help your child succeed and flourish at SIS.

Admission to the EAL program is based on:

English language assessment results Projected rate of language acquisition Space availability (The balance of English language learners to fluent English speakers in a class and the student’s degree of fluency in relation to his/her age/grade are considered.) Academic potential

Students who are non-native English speakers will be assessed to determine their English proficiency. Prospective students (grades 1-12) will be screened using a standardized test that assesses the academic language of students in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. After reviewing the assessment criteria, SIS may also request an interview with the prospective EAL student and family.

If a student is denied admission due to their English language proficiency level, he/she may retake the assessment test. Test results will determine the next testing period and will be formally communicated to parents. This appointment can be arranged by contacting the school admissions office.

Admission to the French Bilingual Program

Native French speakers are eligible to apply for the French bilingual program. Acceptance will be based upon seat availability and an assessment test may be required. To be considered, applicants must submit the documents listed in the How To Apply section. Documents should be submitted in French. Please note that transfers between the French Bilingual and the international program must be approved by SIS administration and grade placement may be affected. While grade placement in the French program is based on the year of birth, the international program utilizes an October 31st cutoff date.

Exceptional Learners Policy

SIS may not be able to provide the necessary resources or specialized staff to meet the particular needs of all exceptional learners. At the time of application, parents must supply all materials related to the unique needs of their child. All testing relating to exceptionality should be provided to SIS for consideration for admission. It is highly preferred that all tests be done in the home country in the child's native language and then translated into English. Appropriate materials should also include previous teacher and counselor comments regarding the ability and potential of the student. Additional information should be provided about the level of academic or behavioral support the student currently requires.

SIS reserves the right to request any additional testing and evaluations necessary during the academic year for any student. These tests are at the expense of the family and could influence that child's enrollment at SIS. Students with exceptional needs will be admitted only after review of all materials and with the understanding of the family that SIS may not have the ability to modify academic curriculum to the level of their child's needs. The priority system does not guarantee admission in the case of an exceptional learner.

Grade Level Placement Policy

To ensure an educational program suitable for all SIS students, students are placed in grade levels after due consideration of grade level at previous school, age, emotional, developmental and physical maturity, and academic level. Any or all of the following may be considered in determining proper placement: evaluation of previous school records, academic testing, results of screening by a counselor and/or trial placement in an age appropriate grade level. There may be times when a student excels beyond the grade level standard in a particular subject. In this case, SIS will provide a program to ensure that the student is appropriately challenged. The final placement decision is made by the director. Typically, students arriving in the early part of the school year (by December) from southern hemisphere schools or schools with a different school year calendar (i.e. January to November vs. August to June) will be placed in the grade level which they are currently attending. Above-described students arriving after December 1st will be placed in the grade they have just completed, providing they meet the admission requirements.

The academic progress of students in Kindergarten and Grade 1 who do not complete a full year in the SIS program will be reviewed by the end of the year to ensure proper grade level placement for the following year.

Admission Status

The Director will inform parents of one of the following admission decisions via a signed, written letter:

Accepted - If a student has qualified and if space allows, the student will be placed in the appropriate grade level. A provisional acceptance may be granted when an interview with the applicant or EAL testing of the student remains outstanding.

Wait Pool - If an applicant meets SIS admission requirements but is applying for enrollment in a grade level that is full, that applicant will be placed on the wait list for his/her class. Based on the factors considered for admission decisions, a student's position on the wait list may change if there are subsequent applications from families with higher priority. Students will remain on the wait list for the academic year for which they have applied. If a seat is not found for the applicant within that academic year, parents may apply for the following academic year by contacting the admissions office by the first school day in March. Applications will not automatically roll over to the following academic year.

Not Accepted - The applicant does not meet SIS eligibility and requirements for admission at this time. The decision is based on one or more of the before-mentioned criteria.

Early Childhood Center (ECC) Placement Policy

At the Early Childhood Center we believe that children learn best in environments suited to their ages and stages of development. For Nursery, PreK-1 and PreK-2 we adhere to an October 31st cutoff for birthdays. For example children must be 3 on or before October 31st to enter PreK-1. The ECC has three age groupings:

Nursery for children whose ages range from two to three and a half. PreK-1 for children whose ages range from three to four and a half. PreK-2 for children whose ages range from four to five and half.

Grade Placement By Age—General Guidelines

**Kindergarten and 1st Grade students applying new to SIS may enroll if turning age five or six respectively on or before October 31st. Please note children who enroll from schools with an academic calendar different from August to June (for example, January to November) will be placed in the grade in which they are currently enrolled if enrolling at the beginning of the school year in August. Mid-year applicants will be enrolled in the grade which they have just completed.