A: General Admissions
While new students may be admitted directly to the Diploma Program, it is highly recommended that students attend ASA for at least one year before starting the program. This will allow them to take advantage of the IB academic planning and preparation, as well as the counselling opportunities available in the 10th Grade that can be crucial for course selection and success in the DP.
Admission to the Diploma Program is dependent on a student's previous educational experience. Placement tests in English, Maths and in some cases, a foreign language, together with reports from previous schools are requested of all external applicants: these provide the information essential for correct placing of incoming students. (Students coming to ASA who have completed the MYP or IGCSE are exempt from testing if their results are available at the time of enrollment).
For ASA students:
Students who have completed grade 10 at ASA require the following as a minimum standard for entry to the IB Diploma program:
Passes of 4 or above in a minimum of 6 subjects including English, Mathematics.
Competence in French at a level suitable for Language A or B; OR the ability to take a self-taught Language A. (If a student does not have a sufficient level of competence, an online course of an ab initio language may be discussed as an option).
Excellent attendance record.
Evidence of successful participation in service learning projects.
For students new to ASA:
Students wishing to join the school who have completed the MYP Certificate require the following as a minimum standard for entry:
Scores at Grade 4 or above in a minimum of five subjects including English, Mathematics and Science.
Competence in French at a level suitable for Language A or B; OR the ability to take a self-taught Language A. (If a student does not have a sufficient level of competence, an online course of an ab initio language may be discussed as an option).
Student and Parent interview with the Principal and IB Diploma Coordinator.
Students wishing to join the school who have completed the GCSE/IGCSE, require the following as a minimum standard for entry:
Passes at Grade C or above in a minimum of five subjects including English, Mathematics and Science.
Competence in French at a level suitable for Language A or B; OR the ability to take a self-taught Language A. (If a student does not have a sufficient level of competence, an online course of an ab initio language may be discussed as an option).
Student and Parent interview with the Principal and IB Diploma Coordinator.
Students wishing to join the school who do not have GCSE/IGCSE, MYP Certificate or
equivalent must satisfy each of the following criteria as a minimum standard for entry:
Passes at Grade C or above (or equivalent) in a minimum of five subjects including English, Mathematics and Science.
Competence in French at a level suitable for Language A or B; OR the ability to take a self-taught Language A. (If a student does not have a sufficient level of competence, an online course of an ab initio language may be discussed as an option).
Satisfactory completion of the ASA entrance test in English and Mathematics
Student and Parent interview with the Principal and IB Diploma Coordinator.
If a student does not meet the above requirements, they may be allowed to commence the IB Diploma on probation for one semester, after which time the requisite grades must be achieved.
B: Specific Course Requirements
ASA strives to be an inclusive school and to allow as much student choice as possible in terms of subjects and levels (HL and SL). We understand that students may need specific subjects for entrance to the universities of their choice, or have their chances of acceptance enhanced by taking certain subjects. We do make some strong recommendations for entrance to specific subjects and levels, however.
Languages A and B:
Students wishing to study a language at A or B level must demonstrate an appropriate degree of competence in the language. ASA may test new students to the school in order to determine the correct level. Please note the Language B is not an appropriate subject for students who have native or near-native competence in the language.
Mathematics HL:
Students from ASA must have an A (6/7) in grade 10 and be recommended by their mathematics teacher in order to take Mathematics HL. For students new to the school: a minimum of IGCSE Grade A, MYP 6 (including at least a 6 on criteria A: Knowledge), or equivalent.
Students who wish to take Math HL without meeting the above requirements must interview with the IBDP Coordinator and relevant subject teacher. Exceptions may be allowed on a case-by-case basis.
Other HL subjects:
Students from ASA should generally have a minimum of B 5 for HL subjects. For new students: a minimum of IGCSE Grade B, MYP Certificate 5 or equivalent. Higher Level subjects are academically rigorous; they should be carefully chosen and discussed with teachers, the College Counsellor and/or the IB DP Coordinator.
C: Inclusive Access Arrangements
The IB recognises that some students have learning difficulties and offers the possibility of Inclusive Access Arrangements for them. The most common Inclusive Access Arrangement is extra time; such accommodations as a reader for exams, a scribe or use of a computer are also possible if specific requirements are met. The DP Coordinator must apply to the IB for these accommodations while the student is in the first year of the DP (grade 11). Any such application must be accompanied by recent specialist test results, which can be difficult to obtain in Antananarivo. Preparing this material can be a time-consuming process so it is best to consult the school before admission to the Diploma Program.
Parents wishing to know more about the IB policy and practice regarding Inclusive Access Arrangements can ask the DP Coordinator or the Learning Support Coordinator for further information.
D: Mid-Diploma Admissions
The school will consider applications to join Grade 12 (IB DP2), or during Grade 11, on a case-by-case basis. Only students who have made appropriate progress in the program, and whose subjects can be accommodated, will be admitted.
E: Expectations to stay in IB Diploma programme.
If at any point during the course of the programme a student is not meeting requirements below they may be asked to leave the programme and change to DP Courses and the High School Diploma (see below)
Strong attendance record
Meeting IA deadlines
Meeting CAS requirements
All Semester grades add to total 24 points
HL Grades add to 12 points
F: DP Courses and the High School Diploma
For some students, taking a number of Diploma Courses (single subjects), rather than the full Diploma Program may be a more appropriate option. This, along with successful completion of graduation requirements, will lead to an accredited U.S. High School Diploma.
At ASA, DP Courses students are expected to take at least four DP subjects. Students taking Courses are expected to take the final Diploma exam in each of their subjects. They will also be required to complete aspects of the CAS program, and have the option of taking Theory of Knowledge and completing the Extended Essay. The decision whether to take Courses rather than the Diploma will be made based on each student’s academic ability, future aspirations and on the advice of teachers and the IB DP Coordinator. Students who take the full IB Diploma but fail to achieve a passing grade (24) will automatically be issued a Certificate by the IB indicating the Courses they have taken.
Students and parents should be aware that while a High School Diploma consisting of a number of IBDP Courses is accepted by some universities as an entrance requirement, this is rarely true of the most competitive universities, particularly in the UK, mainland Europe and Australia. Competitive universities in the U.S. will often require students to be in the most challenging course which the school offers. Students are strongly encouraged to check the entrance requirements of their universities of choice before any decision is taken not to take the full IB Diploma.