Admissions
Admissions Policy
The ISF Academy welcomes people of all nationalities and backgrounds. We seek a diverse student body and faculty to promote the robust exchange of ideas and experiences and enhance learning opportunities.
I) ADMISSIONS CRITERIA
To be eligible for admissions to The ISF Academy, the following criteria must be met:
A) Parents/ Guardians
- agree with The ISF Academy’s educational philosophy;
- are willing to collaborate with The ISF Academy and be a part of our learning community to support their child's development; and
- agree to abide by the school's rules and regulations.
B) Students
- possess Hong Kong residency OR a foreign passport with a legal guardian who is employed and resides in Hong Kong with a valid work permit;
- demonstrate satisfactory social skills (e.g. willingness to communicate, curiosity to learn, teamwork); and
- achieve satisfactory results in the admissions assessments.
II) LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
-
Foundation Year
Students are not required to be proficient in Putonghua and English. Students who are not proficient in Putonghua or English are expected to enjoy new situations and challenges.
-
Grade 1
We accept students with proficiency in either Putonghua or English, with a preference for students who the school believes will cope well with its Chinese language program. Students who are not proficient in Putonghua or English are expected to enjoy new situations and challenges.
-
Grade 2 and above
Applicants are assessed for Chinese (Putonghua) and English language proficiency.
Where necessary, The ISF Academy implements a "Scaffolding Program" for enrolled students requiring added language reinforcement (additional fees may apply).
III) AGE REQUIREMENTS
Students must be the correct age for their grade and the birthday cut-off date is August 31 as shown below:
| Grade Level |
Minimum Age (by August 31 of year of entry) |
Section (local equivalent in age) |
*Program |
For 2012/13 admissions (born between dates shown below) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation Year | 4 years 8 months | Kindergarten 3 | The ISF Academy program |
September 1, 2006 and December 31, 2007 |
| Grade 1 | 5 years 8 months | Primary 1 | September 1, 2005 and December 31, 2006 | |
| Grade 2 | 6 years 8 months | Primary 2 | September 1, 2004 and December 31, 2005 | |
| Grade 3 | 7 years 8 months | Primary 3 | September 1, 2003 and December 31, 2004 | |
| Grade 4 | 8 years 8 months | Primary 4 | September 1, 2002 and December 31, 2003 | |
| Grade 5 | 9 years 8 months | Primary 5 | September 1, 2001 and December 31, 2002 | |
| Grade 6 | 10 years 8 months | Primary 6 | An Authorized IB World School for the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IB) | September 1, 2000 and December 31, 2001 |
| Grade 7 | 11 years 8 months | Secondary 1 | September 1, 1999 and December 31, 2000 | |
|
Grade 8 |
12 years 8 months | Secondary 2 | September 1, 1998 and December 31, 1999 | |
| Grade 9 | 13 years 8 months | Secondary 3 | September 1, 1997 and December 31, 1998 | |
| Grade 10 | 14 years 8 months | Secondary 4 | September 1, 1996 and December 31, 1997 | |
| Grade 11 | 15 years 8 months | Secondary 5 | An Authorized IB World School for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) |
September 1, 1995 and December 31, 1996 |
|
Grade 12
|
16 years 8 months | Secondary 6 |
September 1, 1994 and December 31, 1995
|
* The ISF Academy Program is the school’s educational program in a bilingual immersion model that prepares our students for the International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes. MYP is the IB Middle Years Programme and DP is the IB Diploma Programme.
Applicants need to fulfill the minimum age for the grade applied. The age range for students in each grade is typically 16 months, for example students applying for Grade 1 would be between 5 years 8 months to 7 years on August 31 of the year of entry. Parents are requested to note that statistically, a child who is among the youngest in his/her class is likely to encounter more difficulties socially when he/she reaches pre-adolescent years.
Calculation of Grade to Apply for according to Date of Birth
IV) ADMISSIONS PRIORITIES
Every applicant must pass the admissions assessment, complete the entire admissions process and fulfill all the admissions requirements to be considered for enrollment. The ISF Academy does not guarantee admissions to siblings and Capital Note Nominees.
Admissions priorities will be given to nominees of our Capital Note Holders and applicants with siblings currently studying at The ISF Academy who pass the admissions assessment.
Nominees of Capital Note Holders and siblings will be given an opportunity for a re-assessment should they not pass the first admissions assessment. Please contact our Admissions Office for details of admission-related benefits for nominees of Capital Note Holders.
In general, all applicants who do not pass the assessment are able to reapply after a lapse of nine months from the closing date of the first application period.
