How to apply

The ABC admissions philosophy is to ensure that the school admits students who are going to benefit from the values based, internationally minded, bilingual programme which the school offers. All students are assessed as part of the admissions process, to ensure their interests, talents and previous educational experience is in line with our expectations and offer the best possible opportunities for the student to benefit from at the ABC. The school will also check the parents understand the expectations the school places on them if their children is to join the school and that they support our vision, mission and values.

A. Dates for receiving completed applications:

We are able to receive applications throughout the school year.

B. Application and Entrance Procedure:

1. Contact the school for an appointment with the Admissions Officer. This will be an opportunity to be shown around the school, find out about our programmes, and arrange an appointment for the evaluation.
2. The Entrance Application Form should be handed in, and the Evaluation Fee ($40) should be paid, prior to the evaluation being undertaken. Documents may be initially scanned and e-mailed to start the admissions process but must be handed in physical at the time of the evaluation.
3. The candidate undertakes the evaluation as soon as possible - note: since evaluations are done by our teaching professionals, we undertake these at times when the school is in session.
4. Parents will receive the admissions process result.
5. Financial requirements are settled with the Accounts Office before the place is taken up.
6. Uniforms are bought from the school shop, taking tribe allocation into consideration.

C. Availability of Places:

• Evaluation: applicants will have to successfully complete the evaluation process before a place can be offered. Students entering through the distance evaluation process are awarded temporary places and these are subject to confirmation at any time in the first academic year.
• Two types of places are allocated:
  • Normal Places: the ABC has strict number limits which it will adhere to but will maintain an ordered waiting list if necessary.
    • In the case of a grade being full, applicants who have been assessed may be offered a place in the waiting list - in order to keep the offered spot parents must pay a $500 deposit which will be reimbursed if the space is not offered. This deposit will not be reimbursed if the school offers a student the place and parents decide not to take it.
  • Transient Places: a small number of places are available to transient students (those whose residence in the country is temporary).

D. Entrance Evaluations

These allow the school to determine if there is a reasonable chance that the candidate will have success at the ABC. Prospective parents are asked to review the ABC's Philosophy and Objectives.

As previously mentioned, evaluations are done by our teaching professionals, they then report observations and thoughts to the Head (or Deputy Head) of section who will review each application. These results are then taken to our Admissions Committee, who will review all applications and confirm the result.

Lower Primary (Pre-Kinder)

Students who have applied to enter the school in Pre-Kinder are invited in to an evaluation on a Saturday morning in January where they spend time interacting with school staff who observe them carefully, looking for their readiness to learn. Some students may be invited to return for a further experience the next week(s). We may ask for an evaluation from a external specialist if we need more information about a child.

Lower Primary (K to 1^st Grade)

Children are invited to spend a morning in school.

Upper Primary (2^nd to 5^th Grade)

Please be aware that the standard of written and spoken English amongst the children in Upper Primary is high.

Children applying to join Upper Primary classes will have to complete a CAT4 Cognitive Abilities Test. They will also be interviewed by members of our staff in both English and Spanish and may be asked to complete a written assignment.

Before registering your child for admission tests, you must be confident that your child is able to read, write and speak English well. It is not fair for the child, or the member of staff doing the assessments, to put them through the entry process if they lack the necessary English skills to perform well.

Secondary (6^th to 12^th grade)

Entry Requirements and Admission Process for new Secondary students:

1. Admission Tests:
   • CAT4 Cognitive Abilities Test.
   • Written English and Maths assessments.
2. Formal Interview with the Head of Section and Learning Support Unit (LSU) member:
   • This can take place on the same day as the tests.
3. Please note that a high level of competence in English is required to be admitted.

E. Results

After the applicant’s records have been reviewed and/or has been successfully assessed a student may be:

1. Admitted and offered a place.
2. Admitted and offered a place in the waiting list. This is due to lack of spaces in the grade of entry.
3. Not admitted.

Results will be sent to the parents/guardians by e-mail three business days after the evaluation and interviewing process has been completed. This process may take longer if the application documents are incomplete. The school will decide the grade the student is best suited for, based on their previous school records as well as the results of the admissions evaluation and date of birth according to the school’s age chart.

F. Enrollment

After the parents/guardian have received confirmation of acceptance and a place has been offered, they can start the enrollment process by paying the full registration fee and the corresponding tuition fees. The full annual tuition fee applies even if a student is enrolled/withdrawn throughout the school year.

The school offers four payment plans, for registration and annual tuition fees.

Exabrit parents receive a $500 discount in the Pre-Kinder registration fee.

Parents/guardians will be asked to complete a medical form as well as sight and hearing evaluations, all of which must be submitted prior to the start of the school year.