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Admissions

We are delighted you are interested in applying to the International School of Arizona (ISA). 

At ISA we are committed to nurturing each child so that they reach their full potential in a bi-lingual setting.  In pursuit of this, we focus on the development of the whole child and give our students the individual care and attention needed to be successful.


The success of our academic program begins with the establishment of a strong educational foundation in the Preschool. This foundation is built upon throughout the elementary grades by maintaining high expectations and academic standards. The depth of study in an environment of self-discipline and parental involvement, as well as an atmosphere ofresponsibility to the school community, combined with the personal and professional strength and commitment of our faculty contribute to the success of our program.

We strongly believe that the collaboration of parents, students, and faculty, and their commitment to our Mission, produce a unique enriching environment of global awareness and cultural sensitivity in the pursuit of academic excellence.


We greatly appreciate your interest in our school and invite you to visit our campus.  In the meantime, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.


We look forward to welcoming you to ISA!

 

Sharon Brown
Enrollment Coordinator
sbrown@isaz.org

 

Open Houses & Tours

Prospective families have the opportunity to visit ISA during our Open Houses and Tours.

Open Houses

Open House for preschool and elementary school are held twice a year, on a Sunday afternoon in late September or early October and again in late January or early February each year. The School’s Directors and the entire faculty are available to meet prospective families and answer questions about immersion education, the curriculum and extracurricular programs offered at the ISA. There will be an opportunity to meet current parents and to tour the campus.


Dates for 2011-12 Open Houses

  • Sunday, October 2, 2011; 2:00 -4:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, February 12, 2012; 2:00 -4:00 p.m.

 

Tours

Tours of the school are also available all year round, on Tuesday and Thursday mornings between 9am and 11am. Visiting during the school day gives prospective families an opportunity to see students and faculty engaging in their everyday learning environment. You can request a tour online, or contact Sharon Brown at sbrown@isaz.org or 480.874.2326 to make arrangements.

 

Admissions Process

Before submitting an application, we recommend that prospective families schedule a tour or attend one of our Open House Events held in early autumn or late winter.  It is important to understand our mission, bi-lingual education and language immersion, and whether ISA’s philosophies will be consistent with the educational goals for your family.

 

You may chedule a school tour by calling the admission office at 480.874.2326.

 

Admissions Process
Select a step to expand and view details.
Step1: Application for Admission

The application process can be completed electronically or by mail.  You may use the Interactive Application to type in information, or print a copy and fill out (please print legibly).  Once your application is complete, please send via email to isa@isaz.org or mail to the following address.

 

International School of Arizona
Attn: Admissions
9128 E. San Salvador Drive
Scottsdale, AZ 85258

 

Application Fee:
An application fee of $130 is required to process your application.  You may call ISA with your credit card payment (2% credit card cost recovery fee will be added) or send a check payable to: International School of Arizona.

 

 NOTE: The application fee is non-refundable and non-transferable to siblings.

Step 2: Pre-Entry Review (Students entering 1-5 only)

A pre-entry review may be required to assess a student’s language ability and ascertain the commitment of the parents and child to an academically-rigorous language immersion program. This type of review may include one or more of the following.

  • An informal interview with the Academic Director, parents, and the student.
  • Completion of a Shadow Day, where the student joins a group of their
    grade-level peers to experience a typical day of instruction.

 

NOTE: Elementary School Applicants
K-5th Grade:
Please submit your child’s most recent report card as well as the contact information of your child’s last school and teacher.

 

1st -5th Grade
Students entering ISA after Kindergarten, tutoring is provided during the school day to help the student achieve the same language proficiency as their peers. However, it may be necessary for the family to provide private tutoring to bring a student to the appropriate level. New admissions to Grades 2 and above are restricted to those students showing a proficiency in the language they are studying.

Step 3: Admissions Decision

Enrollment is based on a first-come, first-served basis. Children can enter throughout the school year as long as there is space available and they meet the admission requirements. In making the admissions assessment, ISA will evaluate each applicant and make a decision with regard to:

  1. Spanish or French language proficiency (1st- 5th Grade)
  2. Demonstrated academic achievement (K- 5th Grade)
  3. Student Motivation
  4. Parental Commitment to the program

 

Admissions priority is given in the following order:

  1. Returning Students from the previous academic year
  2. Siblings of Currently Enrolled students
  3. Children of Staff & Faculty Members

 

Once placement is confirmed, applicants will be notified in writing via email or mail. The Enrollment Package will be emailed to families.

Step 4: Enrollment Confirmation

Enrollment is ONLY considered final, when:

  1. Deposit equal to 10% of the chosen payment plan has been received.
  2. Final documentation has been received.

 

NOTE: Returning ISA students complete the pre-registration process for the following school year in April.  New students are generally offered placement after this re-enrollment period.  Once all spots are filled, new students are placed on a wait list until such time as space becomes available.  Applications for enrollment are accepted up to one year in advance of the following school year.

Admissions FAQ

The following are some commonly asked questions regarding ISA Admissions.  Click on any question to see the corresponding answer. (Select a question to expand and see answer.)

 

FAQ
Select a question to expand and see answer.
What if no one at home speaks Spanish or French?
The majority of our families are not fluent in the language their child is learning. We offer homework classes in our afterschool program, with a French or Spanish teacher. Parent notices are in English and report cards are issued in both languages.
When will my child start speaking his second language?
All children will begin speaking their second language at their own pace. It is very common for children to spend their first year in an immersion program just absorbing the language. Their comprehension increases every day they are exposed to their second language. Once your child comprehends the meaning of their new language, they will start to think in their second language rather than translating their thoughts from English. Children will demonstrate an increased level of progress with regular and consistent practice and exposure to language.
What is the best age to begin study of the immersion language?
Research indicates that the optimal period for second-language acquisition is between the ages of 3 and 7 years of age. Additionally, for children to truly benefit from a bilingual education, the commitment should be no less than 5-7 years, any less than 5 years, and a child will lose a lot of what they have gained.
Will learning in the immersion language give my child an advantage over children who use only one language?
Yes. The ability to speak in another language is an enormous advantage in today’s global market place. Research has suggested that learning a second language further develops the brain leading intellectual development and greater academic achievement.
Do children take naps in the preschool?
Yes. Children in our section a have a scheduled napping period of 2 hours, and in the section B classroom they have a 1 hour and 30 minutes. (Mats are provided for napping by the school; however, parents are required to provide a sheet and other sleeping items (small pillow and/or blanket) for their child). In our Pre-k Class, we have a scheduled “quiet time/ relaxation period” of 45 minutes.
Does my child have to be potty trained?
Children entering Section A are not required to be potty trained prior to enrollment. ISA teachers help facilitate this process when the child is ready. Parents should speak with the teacher to coordinate potty training efforts and let the teachers know what works best for your child. A supply of diapers and wipes must be provided each week. Children entering Section B must be potty trained in order to be enrolled in this class.
Can I choose the days my child can come to preschool?
In Sections A and B, you have the ability to choose the days your child attends school. This is a first comes first served basis, and the fuller the class the less flexibility to choose your days. If your child is in Prek and they attend 4 day times a week, the schedule is Monday - Thursday.
If my preschooler was sick on one of their scheduled days can I do a make-up class?

Unfortunately we cannot offer make up days. The same also applies to our afterschool programs.

 

Nondiscrimination Policy

The International School of Arizona admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administrated programs.

 

For more information on the admissions process, please contact Sharon Brown, Enrollment Coordinator, at sbrown@isaz.org or 480.874.2326.