ISA Admissions – Our Frequently Asked Questions
What can I do to improve my chances of finding a place at ISA?
The best thing an applicant family can do to improve their chances of finding a place at ISA sooner rather than later is to apply as early as possible. Date of application is an important part of how places are allocated to families with accepted applications, and this is particularly crucial if you are applying for a grade where there are more applicants than places available.
Date of application is considered as the date where an application is started, and this requires the application fee to be paid, and the Student Application and Household Information sections in the online application portal to be completed.
When can new students start at ISA?
ISA operates a system of rolling admissions. This means that students can join during the school year, and not just on the first day of term. The only limit we place on this is that new students cannot start at ISA after the end of April in any academic year, as this is too close to the ultimate end of the school year.
What are the most common times that students join ISA?
Although students can join ISA at almost any time during a school year, the most common starting points are the very first day of the school year in August, and then again in January after our Winter Break. Upper School students joining in January always join at the start of the second semester.
New students joining during the school term usually have their first day of classes on Tuesdays, so that our counsellors and teachers can be sure everything (and everybody!) is ready for them to get off to a smooth start.
Are there application deadlines that I should be aware of?
Yes. Although you can make an application to ISA at any time there are a few key dates that you should keep in mind if you are hoping to begin school on the first day of the academic year in August.
JANUARY 15: We release the first round of admissions decisions for each academic year around the middle of the preceding March. If you want to receive your admissions decision as part of that first round of offers it is crucial that you start your application before January 15. Applications are considered as started once the application fee has been paid, and the Student Application and Household Information sections in the online application portal are complete
FEBRUARY 1: If you successfully start your application by January 15, you then have until February 1 to fully complete the application by submitting all required documentation. Applications that are not complete by February 1 will not be reviewed on time to be part of the first round of admissions offers. If you complete your application before February 1, you will receive your admissions decision in the first round of offers in mid-March.
MAY 1: If you are applying to start school at ISA on the first day of the academic year in August, we highly recommend that you ensure that you complete your application by May 1 at the latest. At that stage in the year we will be continuing to review applications on a rolling basis, but with the summer holidays approaching we cannot guarantee that applications completed after this date will be reviewed on time for a new student to begin on the first day of term.
My current school is closed, so getting the documents together for an application will prove difficult. What should I do?
This is an issue we encounter quite frequently, especially during school holidays. We encourage you to inquire and then make an application regardless, and we will work with you and be as flexible as we can to move the application process along.
Which grade should I apply for?
Although you can select the grade that you think is appropriate for your child in the application portal it is important to note that all applicants will be placed in the grade that our review team deems the best fit for their learning experience at ISA. Parent input will be taken into account, but the final decision rests entirely with the appropriate Head of School.
For information regarding grade placements and age guidelines at ISA, please refer to the guide at the bottom of this page, and our admissions policy. Grade placement can only be confirmed once an application has been fully reviewed.
What kind of documents do I need to complete an application?
The required documents for an application differ from grade level to grade level. Please check the relevant Application Checklist Packet on the right side of the Apply to ISA page to get a better understanding of what you will need for your applications.
Do Early Years children need to attend 5 days each week?
There is a part-time programme available for Nursery and Pre-School children. You can find more information here.
Is there any care available for children after school hours?
After School and Vacation Care Programmes are available for children from Pre-School through to grade 5. You can find more information here.
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Sportlaan 45, 1185 TB Amstelveen, The Netherlands
Telephone: +31 20 347 1111
Fax: +31 20 347 1222