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Admissions Policy

International Scholars Academy is an IB World School committed to inclusion, international-mindedness, inquiry-based learning, and the development of the whole child. ISA welcomes students from diverse languages, cultural, and educational backgrounds.


The admissions process is designed to determine whether ISA is an appropriate fit for each student’s academic, social-emotional, and developmental needs within the programs and resources available at the school. Admissions decisions are made through a review process that includes student assessments, interviews, previous school records, and other supporting documents.


ISA seeks to build a learning community that reflects the attributes of the IB Learner Profile and encourages student agency, academic integrity, respectful engagement, and a commitment to learning.


Families enrolling at ISA are expected to support the mission, values, and policies of the school.

Students will not be denied admission on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, or family status.


The school administration reserves the right to make final admissions decisions based on the school’s ability to support a student successfully within the learning environment at ISA.

Admissions Process:

  • Inquiry

  • Application Submission

  • Assessment

  • Student Interview

  • Review of Records

  • Admissions Decision

Families are notified of the admissions decision via email.

Priority Enrollment

  • Priority enrollment is given to siblings of currently enrolled ISA students when space is available.

  • Children of Diplomats who meet the school requirements.

Age Requirements

The admissions policies of the International Scholars Academy are intended to comply with the Legislative Code of Virginia, including the age guidelines for attendance in an educational program. Based on those standards, the requirements for admissions to ISA programs are as follows:

  • Kindergarten: A student entering Kindergarten must have turned five (5) years old on or before September 30th of that school year. (The school administration has the right to make exceptions based on testing and interviews).

  • First Grade: A student entering First Grade must have turned six (6) years old on or before September 30th of that school year. (The school administration has the right to make exceptions based on testing and interviews).

  • Grade 2 through 8: The usual and customary age for each grade level is considered, as well as the following:

    • Official report cards and school records for their most recent school year verifying satisfactory performance for the grade level under consideration.

    • Grade Placement verified by proficiency tests in Arabic, English, and

    • Mathematics prior to acceptance

    • Disciplinary Records.

  • Grades 9 through 12: The usual and customary age for each grade level is considered, as well as the following:

    • Official report cards and school records for the previous three years verifying satisfactory performance for the grade level under consideration.

    • A” B” average is required as verified by original documentation from the previous school.

    • Grade placement verified by proficiency tests in Arabic, English, and mathematics prior to acceptance

    • Disciplinary records

    • Two recommendation letters may be required for high school students. If required, one of the letters should be from officials of the school previously attended, If possible.

    • Students applying to school who are 20 years of age, or more are not to be admitted to ISA.

Waitlist

Applicants who meet the admission requirements, but that are applying to grades that are full will be placed on a waiting list. Should a vacancy occur, the enrollment committee will review and select students from the pool based on a host of selection criteria.


The Admissions Office oversees the admissions and registration process for the International Scholars Academy. The office is managed by the Admissions Coordinator in collaboration with school administration and the Finance and Operations Office.

The Admissions Office assists prospective families by:

  • responding to inquiries by phone, email, and online

  • guiding families through the application process

  • providing information about school programs and policies

  • scheduling virtual or on-campus open houses and welcoming events

  • supporting families throughout enrollment and registration

Requirements:

All grades follow the same basic procedure to be considered for admission. All students
must submit the following:

  • A $200 non-refundable application fee

  • A $300 non-refundable technology fee

  • Passport sized photograph of the student to be uploaded online

  • Copy of Birth Certificate and /or passport documentation

  • Visa for non-US citizens

  • Copy of parent/guardian passport (required for non-US citizens)

  • Current report card for students applying to grade 1 through 12

  • Final report cards from the previous two academic years for students applying to grades 9 through 12 (three years of records total)

  • All school forms (online forms)

  • The Commonwealth of VA Health form.

General

  • All applicants must present evidence of successful completion of the previous grade when applying for admission.

  • Students may be placed at a lower grade level based on grade records, admission tests, Student interviews, or graduation requirements. Parents will be informed of the grade level assigned and will thereupon have the option to continue/discontinue the admission process.

Policy Review

ISA reserves the right to review and revise admissions policies and procedures as needed.

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